Quarter 1 Update: Safety
Letter from Walbridge Vice President of Safety, Health and Environmental, Stephen Clabaugh
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. At Walbridge, we pride ourselves in being the first to implement the highest safety standards, and we are dedicated to continuous improvement. Our dedication improves our customers’ confidence in the delivery of our services and most importantly, keeps our employees safe.
Together with Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), Local 324, Michigan contractors and crane suppliers, Walbridge serves on an advisory committee for MIOSHA Construction Safety Standards, Part 10 – Cranes. The committee is assessing proposed legislation requiring certified crane operators on all construction sites in the state of Michigan. Walbridge was the first construction company in Michigan, and possibly the country, to implement this safety requirement when it introduced its Crane Action Plan in 2001.
The Crane Action Plan was the result of near miss crane incidents caused by operator error. While we were fortunate that no injuries occurred, we recognized an immediate need to ensure only qualified and highly-trained employees were operating cranes on our construction sites. Walbridge began exploring ways to improve crane safety and met with Local 324 – Operating Engineers, who introduced us to the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) program. After thoroughly reviewing their training program, administration and application, Walbridge decided to require NCCCO trained crane operators on all of our job sites. At the time, there were 35 certified crane operators in the state of Michigan. This number would grow exponentially due in part to Walbridge’s requirements. Today, Local 324 has over 850 NCCCO certified crane operators. Qualified experienced crane operators have found value in the NCCCO crane safety training, and they have said it has made them better operators.
The Walbridge Crane Action Plan exceeds requirements mandated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and is more than a certified crane operators requirement. Prior to any crane operation, a current copy of the equipment’s inspection records must be given to Walbridge. Each crane must be inspected daily, and the findings documented. Mandatory pre-lift meetings are held with the subcontractor’s superintendent, foremen and operator(s), and the Walbridge project team. Logistics, capacity, general concerns and the subcontractor’s pre-task analysis are reviewed prior to operation. Planning is our best defense against injury or incident.
Walbridge, in conjunction with our insurance provider, Travelers, is involved with a tower crane safety training program. The training has been conducted at the University of Michigan’s North Quad -a project requiring the use of tower cranes. The training involved our project team, our subcontractors and the university. Upon the training's success, our team conducted an additional tower crane safety training session with 35 MIOSHA inspectors and supervisors. Walbridge believes that increasing crane safety knowledge, internally and externally, will help prevent crane incidents and potentially save lives.
Stephen B. Clabaugh
Vice President, Safety, Health and Environmental
In 2009, Stephen Clabaugh celebrates his twentieth anniversary with Walbridge. Under Clabaugh’s direction, the Walbridge safety program has earned safety accolades from across the industry, including the distinct honor of being named one of America’s Safest Companies by Occupational Hazards magazine.
