The AGC-Willis Towers Watson Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) recognizes those construction companies who excel at safety performance. The CSEA closely examines each candidate's commitment to safety and occupational health management and risk control. Unlike other safety award programs that limit the criteria to frequency rates, the CSEA selection process is considerably more comprehensive. Each application is reviewed for evidence of company management commitment, active employee participation, safety training, work site hazard identification and control, and safety program innovation. Over the past five years, the finalist judges have produced the CSEA Safety Management Best Practices to share the highlights noted during the competition with the construction industry and any organization that places a high value on safety leadership. Please take the time to read through the Best Practices, which has many takeaways for contractors looking to strengthen their safety program and feel free to share it with others.

August 6 & 7, 2018
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
AGC San Diego Chapter

6212 Ferris Square, San Diego, CA 92121

Contact Information: Becca Schaffer -- agcsdeducation@agcsd.org | (858) 558-7444 ext. 101

Registration: Complete registration form and return to Becca via email.

This unique three–day course provides construction safety and health professionals with the next–level knowledge required to successfully manage a company–wide safety program. Moving beyond the basics of Focus Four training, AGC’s Advanced Safety Management Training Program will give participants a more holistic view of safety’s role in project and company success, as well as advanced tactics and best practices for managing all aspects of a corporate safety program. Participants will also focus on the importance of "selling" safety throughout the organization and methods to generate buy–in from different audiences.

Summer is a great time for construction work, but a brutal time for construction workers. Excessive heat and sun exposure pose significant dangers, such as sunburn, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Every year, construction workers become ill on the job and some even lose their lives due to heat exposure. 

To protect its workers from the extreme summer heat, Western Specialty Contractors, a Master Builders of Iowa and AGC of Missouri member, manages a heat illness training program and a safety hotline for its employees. 

As part of the program, training is provided to all employees and supervisors who work in high temperatures. Training topics include: how heat can affect the body, how to identify the signs and symptoms of various heat-related illnesses, and what to do if a co-worker is experiencing symptoms of a heat-related illness. Western also regulates the hotter environment by providing water and shade to workers and by having supervisors and safety managers monitor the heat index so that the proper protective measures can be taken. 

"It is important particularly during the summer months that outdoor workers drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration, which is the primary cause of heat cramps and heat exhaustion," says Cameron Samuel, assistant safety director at Western Specialty Contractors.

Cameron, who has training and experience managing the health and safety of outdoor workers, offers the following tips for preventing heat-related illnesses on a construction jobsite:

1. Drink water frequently and drink enough water that you never become thirsty. Drink water or other non-caffeinated, electrolytic beverages and make sure that your drinks are always cool, not room temperature. Adding a lemon slice to water can make plain water more drinkable. 
2. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing made from natural materials such as cotton. Avoid wearing non-breathing synthetic clothing. Wear safety glasses with UV protection, sunscreen and brimmed hard hats. 
3. Gradually build up to heavy work. If possible, do the hardest work during the coolest time of the day. Workers who are suddenly exposed to working in a hot environment face additional hazards to their health and safety. New workers and those returning from time away need to be extra careful in making sure they stay hydrated. 
4. Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity. Move to the shade or a cool area such as an air-conditioned building or car when possible, but try not to go in and out of air conditioning too much as it will make it harder for you to adjust to the heat. Use cooling fans whenever possible. 
5. Select your lunch carefully. Junk food is high in fat and preservatives and will put a high caloric load on the digestive system. Try eating a bigger breakfast, so you're not as hungry at lunch. Eat light lunches that include fruits, vegetables and salads. 
6. Keep an eye on your co-workers and be alert for signs of heat exhaustion. Early symptoms include lethargy, disorientation, stumbling, dropping tools, slurred speech or unresponsiveness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring a 911 call and immediate cooling.
7. Check your urine frequency and color throughout the day. Water intake is adequate when urine is clear or light yellow. When the desire to urinate is less than twice per day and/or you are producing a dark yellow urine, you may be dehydrated. 

By training employees on the early signs of heat exhaustion, taking the proper precautions, and employing tips like the ones listed above, outdoor workers will greatly reduce the risk of heat-related dangers.

Dedicated to providing cutting-edge mechanical solutions – including pre-construction, engineering, construction, design-build, fabrication, installation and maintenance services, Shapiro & Duncan, an AGC of Metropolitan Washington D.C., announces its new safety director, Guillermo Mendoza. Mendoza directs all safety initiatives, ensuring that clients always receive the highest quality work product delivered in well supervised and safe environment by construction professionals. 

"I am excited to be working with a team who values safety and has adopted key preventive methods for a safe work environment. My objective is to enhance the safety culture at Shapiro & Duncan and ensure that ourworkers will always see safety as a solution to protect themselves and their coworkers, and not just an obligation to follow rules," says Mendoza.  

With 18 years of experience in the construction industry, Mendoza brings a lot of knowledge, experience and technical skills to the Shapiro & Duncan Safety Team. Mendoza plans to implement strategies to help achieve a 100 percent injury and accident-free workplace by reinforcing the strongest safety and control approaches such as;  

• Safety training and continual education; 
• Three dedicated full time safety professionals frequently monitoring jobsites; 
• Requiring OSHA 10 hours certification for ALL field employees and OSHA 30 hours certification for all site supervisors; 
• Conducting "tool box talks" weekly and covering emergency preparedness monthly, as part of the safety education program on each jobsite; 
• Running hazard assessments to identify areas that might need improvement before the incidents occur; and 
• Rewarding employees through safety incentives. 

As of 2017, Shapiro & Duncan’s EMR reached an all-time low, dropping from .78 to .70 in a five-year stretch. The company attributes these numbers to the rigorous safety measures it has reinforced over the last decade. Their EMR has exceeded the industry average by 16-30 percent since 2008 and is currently at its all-time low. With the valuable addition of Mendoza to the safety management team, Shapiro & Duncan is committed more than ever to providing their employees with the skills they need to work safely and productively.