AGC's annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) program, sponsored by Willis, has been an ongoing and evolving effort by AGC of America to recognize companies who have developed and implemented excellent safety and loss prevention programs achieved through management committees, employee training and participation, and program innovation.

Now is the time for AGC members to submit their applicaitions for the 14th annual CSEA program.

How to Enter:
All AGC members are encouraged to submit a completed application, using the three-part form supplied by AGC of America. There are two ways to apply: 1) submit completed applications directly to AGC of America, or 2) send forms directly to the appropriate chapter.

Applicants must first contact their “home” chapter to receive information on their established process or procedure. If the process dictates that applicants submit forms to the chapter, they must do so. A $250 entry fee to AGC of America is required upon submission.

Schedules and Deadlines:
• December 10, 2012 ..........  Chapters/applicants submit their application to AGC of America.
• January 14 & 15, 2013 ....... Initial Review Judging to determine finalists.
• January 2013 ........................AGC will notify the finalists in each division and category.
• March 4 – 7, 2013 ………….Finalists’ presentations with an independent panel of judges.
• March 8, 2013 …....................Willis-sponsored awards breakfast and ceremony during the AGC 94th Annual Convention in Palms Spring, Calif.

For more information about the AGC/Willis CSEA program and to download the application and instructions/contact list, please visit www.agc.org/csea.

Questions:
Please contact Kevin Cannon, director – safety and health services, at (703) 837-5410 or cannonk@agc.org.

 

Construction professionals will be able to take a wide range of mandatory and optional safety training programs online thanks to a new collaboration between the AGC of America (AGC) and ClickSafety, who is authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide its online Outreach Training Program. Association officials added that the collaboration will provide a range of online construction-related safety courses, including the mandatory OSHA 10- and 30-hour safety training programs for employees of its member firms.

"This new safety program will provide thousands of construction professionals with a tremendous opportunity to sharpen their safety skills," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. "Our members are constantly looking for ways to improve the safety of their worksites, and this program is designed to make it even easier for them to do just that."

Sandherr noted that the association chose to collaborate with ClickSafety because of its long standing relationship with OSHA and its ability to offer over 300 courses and 70 in Spanish. In addition, ClickSafety is OSHA-authorized to offer the newly updated OSHA 10-Hour Construction, 30-Hour Construction and 10-Hour General Industry courses. The firm also offers the 10-Hour Road Builder, 10-Hour Cal/OSHA and 10-Hour Construction Spanish courses, all at a 10 percent discount for AGC members. Some of the other courses available to employees of AGC member firms include Focus Four prevention: Fall protection, electrocution, struck-by, caught-between; Mold in construction; EM 385-1-1 safety courses, among others.

"We are proud to be a long standing OSHA authorized Online Outreach Training provider and collaborate with the AGC to help member firms meet the demands of OSHA standards to educate, enable and encourage safety," said Brian Tonry, executive vice president and general manager of ClickSafety. "With our combined industry leadership, we will provide AGC members unprecedented access to OSHA and construction, environmental and general industry safety courses, resulting in increased awareness of, and responsibility for, safety training."

The new collaboration builds on the association’s long tradition of providing essential safety training for employees of its member firms. The association has provided the 10- and 30-hour OSHA courses for more than 3,100 workers during the past five years alone. The new collaboration will allow the association to continue providing the mandatory safety training, plus a host of new safety programs designed to reduce construction injuries and fatalities.

This safety training collaboration was designed to complement the range of safety programs the association already provides for its members. Those programs include new, English and Spanish language fall-safety training and a comprehensive work zone safety curriculum. Thanks to the association’s efforts, and the work of its member firms, the construction fatality rate has declined by over 40 percent since 2006.

"Just because we’ve made a lot of progress in improving workplace safety, doesn’t mean our job is done," Sandherr said. "We are going to keep pushing to provide our members with every opportunity to improve the safety of our industry."

For more information call (877) 507-7233 or contact AGCSales@ClickSafety.com.

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a direct final rule and notice of proposed rulemaking that applies the requirements of the August 2010 cranes and derricks in construction standard to demolition work and underground construction. The application of this rule will protect workers from hazards associated with hoisting equipment used during construction activities.

The direct final rule will become effective Nov. 15, 2012, unless OSHA receives a significant adverse comment by Sept. 17.

You can submit comments here, or by fax or mail.

 

 

Safety Management Training Course
Sept. 18-20, 2012
Madison, Wisconsin

HR Professionals and Training, Education and Development Conferences
October 15-18, 2012
San Antonio, TX

Advanced Safety Management Training Course
October 16-18, 2012
Madison, Wisconsin

Safety & Health Committee Meeting
January 16-18, 2013
Tampa, Florida

 

 

2012 Safety Fair and Barbecue Cook-off Winners
Category I – Chicken
1st Place – F A Nunnelly Company
2nd Place – M. J. Boyle General Contractor, Inc.
3rd Place – Kirk Marketing Solutions LLC

Category II – Ribs
1st Place – Turner Construction Company
2nd Place – Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated/Corbo Electric Company, Inc.
3rd Place – Raba Kistner, Inc.

Category III – Brisket
1st Place – Linbeck Group, LLC
2nd Place – Kirk Marketing Solutions LLC
3rd Place – Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

Showmanship
1st Place – Engineering Safety Consultants, Inc.
2nd Place – Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc.
3rd Place – Dausin Electric Company


Safe General Contractor of the Year – Category I
Joeris General Contractors, Ltd.

Safe General Contractor of the Year – Category II
Zachry Construction Corporation

Safe Specialty Contractor of the Year
Alterman, Inc.

Larry Westbrook Safe Superintendent Award
Lauro “Rudy” Garza, Zachry Construction Corporation

Congrats to all the winners!

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Madison Concrete Construction – a leading concrete construction firm serving the greater Philadelphia region – has hired John Jakimowicz as its new safety director.

With more than 37 years of experience in the field, Jakimowicz has spent the past 15 years as a safety coordinator specializing in onsite safety management for large scale projects. Some of these projects include the Resorts World New York Casino, expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, IRS Post Office Renovation, Chester County Prison Expansion and numerous PHA Housing projects.
In his new role with Madison Concrete Construction, Jakimowicz will be responsible for reviewing site specific safety requirements at preconstruction meetings, safety training and orientation, developing jobsite emergency evacuation plans and conducting safety audits, accident investigation documentation and weekly safety meetings.

Jakimowicz has numerous hours of OSHA safety training completed and is skilled in CPR/first aid, fall protection and soft tissue injury prevention. In addition, he is a New York Fire Department fire safety manager and is testing soon for the Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST) certification.

“We don’t see safety as a goal, but as a way of conducting business and protecting our greatest resource, our employees,” said Jim Dolente, Jr., president of Madison Concrete. “Safety starts with training and requires consistency. We are proud to be recognized in the local construction industry as a contractor that strives to provide a safe working environment for our employees and the employees of other trades that may be working in close proximity to us.”

About Madison Concrete Construction
Since 1969, Madison Concrete Construction, an AGC of America Philadelphia Builders Chapter member, has been delivering quality concrete construction throughout the greater Philadelphia region. From general contractors to individual owners, its client list reads as a who's who in major building projects in the Delaware Valley. Madison Concrete’s mission is to consistently provide superior quality construction, in a safe environment, with a reputation for honesty, integrity, and responsiveness to the needs of its clients, vendors and employees.

 

 

A mild winter, early spring and hot summer have caused more reported infections of West Nile virus this year than any other year since 2004, according to public health officials. The majority of West Nile virus cases are reported in August and September – peaking in mid-August – but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects this year's season to last into fall.

Through August 21, a total of 1,118 cases of West Nile virus, including 629 serious illnesses and 41 deaths, had been reported to the CDC.

West Nile virus is transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes. Although only one in five people who contract the virus develop symptoms such as fever headache, body aches or vomiting, the virus can cause serious neurological illnesses that can be fatal, such as encephalitis or meningitis. People over 50 years old or those who have certain medical conditions, including cancer, hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease, run the highest risk of serious illness. People typically develop symptoms of West Nile virus three to 14 days after being bitten.

"It is not clear why we are seeing more activity than in recent years," said Marc Fischer, M.D., medical epidemiologist with the CDC's Arboviral Diseases Branch. "Regardless of the reasons for the increase, people should be aware of the West Nile virus activity in their area and take action to protect themselves and their family."

The best way to prevent West Nile infection is to avoid mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk – when mosquito activity is highest – and empty standing water from areas outside your home to discourage mosquito breeding. Most importantly, use a personal insect repellent, which the CDC recommends as a highly effective way to reduce risk.

When choosing an insect repellent, consider the length of time you'll be outside and the type of activity you're planning. There are a variety of insect repellents available, ranging from the familiar DEET to newer ingredients like picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

DEET: DEET has been used as an insect repellent in the United States for more than 50 years. It's recommended for those spending longer periods of time outdoors in more heavily infested conditions. Recommended by the CDC for effective, long-lasting protection, DEET-based products are available in a wide variety of formulas, including aerosols, sprays or wipes. Length of protection ranges from two to 10 hours (depending on the percentage of DEET in the product). Unscented Backwoods Cutter® Insect Repellents, for example, contain 23 percent DEET for up to 10 hours of sweat-resistant protection against mosquitoes. Formulas with 30 percent concentrations or lower, such as Cutter® All Family® Insect Repellents with 7 percent DEET, can be used on children ages two months and older.

Picaridin: This relatively new CDC-recommended active ingredient offers the same level of protection that people have come to expect from DEET in formulas that feel a little lighter and cleaner. Picaridin-based formulas, like Cutter® Skinsations® Insect Repellent Ultra Light aerosol, won't damage plastics, such as backpacks, fishing line or lures. They can also be used on children ages two months and older.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Derived from the leaves of the Eucalyptus citriodora tree, oil of lemon eucalyptus naturally repels mosquitoes and deer ticks for up to six hours. You can use oil of lemon eucalyptus-based products, like Cutter® Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, on children three years and older.

Geraniol: A natural ingredient derived from geranium oil, geraniol utilizes the inherent repellent properties of the geranium to repel mosquitoes and other nuisance pests for hours. Cutter® Natural Insect Repellent contains geraniol for hours of protection from mosquitoes for the entire family.

For more information about West Nile virus and ways to protect against mosquitoes, visit www.cdc.gov/westnile. To learn more about Cutter products, visit http://www.cutterinsectrepellent.com/.

About United Industries Corporation
United Industries Corporation, a subsidiary of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., is the leading manufacturer of value-brand consumer products for the home, lawn and garden, insect and weed control markets in the United States. United Industries provides its customers with innovative products of outstanding quality, so consumers benefit from easier insect and weed control solutions. Its brands – Spectracide®, Garden Safe®, Hot Shot®, Cutter®, Repel® and Black Flag® – are well recognized by consumers for delivering exceptional value and trusted results. United Industries' passion and long-standing commitment to quality and value has earned the confidence of its retail partners, who count on United Industries to deliver innovative and highly profitable products, customized solutions and merchandising excellence. For more information, visit http://www.unitedindustriescorporation.com/.

About Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., a member of the Russell 2000 Index, is a diversified global consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents and portable lighting. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, the Company offers a broad portfolio of market-leading and widely trusted brands including Rayovac®, Remington®, Varta®, George Foreman®, Black & Decker®, Toastmaster®, Tetra®, Marineland®, Nature's Miracle®, Dingo®, 8-in-1®, FURminator®, Littermaid®, Spectracide®, Cutter®, Repel®, Hot Shot® and Black Flag®. Spectrum Brands Holdings' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in more than 120 countries. With 6,000 employees in 43 countries, Spectrum Brands Holdings reported fiscal 2011 net sales of approximately $3.2 billion. For more information, visit http://www.spectrumbrands.com/.

SOURCE United Industries Corporation