JAMES ELMER ELECTED TO LEAD ABC IN 2010; MICHAEL UREMOVICH NAMED CHAIRMAN-ELECT: At its Oct. 20 meeting in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the ABC Board of Directors elected James W. Elmer of James W. Elmer Construction Co., Spokane, Wash., to serve as the association's national chairman in 2010. Michael J. Uremovich of STARCON International, Inc., Manhattan, Ill., was elected to serve as ABC’s 2010 chairman-elect. In his acceptance speech, Elmer said he looked forward to working with ABC in 2010 to continue providing value and service to members. He acknowledged that a major focus of ABC in 2010 will be on electing candidates that favor free enterprise on the local, state and federal levels, and noted “ABC has a great history of not backing down.” In conclusion, Elmer said he looked forward to leading ABC in its 60th year.
In other election news, Gregory Hoberock of hth companies, inc., Union, Mo., a member of ABC’s Heart of America Chapter, was elected Region 2 vice chairman.
OSHA ISSUES PROPOSED REVISIONS TO HAZARD COMMUNICATIONS:The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Sept. 30 released a proposed rule that will modify the existing Hazard Communication Standard. The updated standard will conform to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals used by the United Nations.
Specifically, the proposed rule includes revised criteria for chemical hazard classification; revised and standardized labeling criteria that will include pictograms; and a specific format for safety data sheets. The revisions also contain requirements that will force every employer that currently has a hazard communication plan to train its employees on the new standard within two years of implementation of the final rule. OSHA estimates this portion of the proposed rule will affect more than five million businesses for a total annual cost to employers of $100 million.
In addition, OSHA is proposing to modify provisions of other standards, including standards for flammable and combustible liquids, process safety management and most substance-specific health standards to ensure consistency with the modified Hazard Communication Standard. Because of the broad scope of the proposed rule and the training requirements it contains, ABC is assessing the impact of the proposed rule on the construction industry and will likely submit comments before the Dec. 29 deadline.
To read the proposed rule, click here.
AQC MEMBERS STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD: ABC members can distinguish their companies from the competition by applying for Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status. AQC is an accreditation program that publicly recognizes and honors those construction firms that have documented their commitment in four key areas of corporate responsibility: safety, employee benefits, training and community relations. Because safety is a major component, only ABC members that have achieved Gold or Platinum levels in ABC’s Safety Training and Evaluation Program (STEP) at least once in the last two years are eligible.
ABC strongly promotes the AQC program through national and local recognition efforts. Accredited contractors can use the AQC designation in bid documents, as well as on letterhead, business cards, brochures and jobsite signs. AQC members may also use the program as a human resources tool by featuring the AQC designation in job advertisements, and by using it to develop benchmarks in quality, safety, education, employee benefits, industry image and community activities.
If your company is STEP Gold or Platinum, you’ve already completed one of the most important requirements of the AQC application. To get more information and to download the AQC application, visit www.abc.org/aqc, or contact Mark Leibman at ABC, leibman@abc.org. To learn more about the STEP program, visit www.abc.org/STEP.
Training Classes
Management & Safety Class Schedule
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2009
OSHA 10 Hour Class
OSHA requires a competent person on all job sites. This course ensures that your people have the necessary training to comply with OSHA standards CFR 1926.32(f) for a competent person. Training includes OSHA Construction Standards CFR 29 1926, Scaffolds, Ladders and Stairways, Housekeeping, Personal Tools, Electrical Hazards, Fall Protection, Materials Handling, Hazardous Communications and much more!
**CFR 192 OSHA Regulations Book for the Construction Industry with new steel erection standards will be available for $25.00** each for class participants.
$135.00 each attendee – Member Price/$240.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price
¨ November 10, 2009 - 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – OMAHA
¨ November 19, 2009 – 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – NORFOLK
30 Hour OSHA Class
Federal Law requires each company have a designated trained safety coordinator. This will give your foremen, supervisors, safety directors or safety coordinators the expertise to comply with all OSHA and State requirements. This is an in-depth look at CFR 1926 and 1920 and NE 757 as they affect construction. Price includes study materials
$395.00 each attendee – Member Price / $595.00 each attendee –Non-Member price.
¨ November 24, December 1, 8, 2009 – 7:00 – 5:30 p.m. - LINCOLN
First Aid/CPR Classes
$50.00 each attendee – Member Price/$60.00 each attendee – Non-Member
Recertification only - $40.00 each attendee – Member Price/$50.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price
¨ November 4, 2009 – 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.. – LINCOLN
¨ November 6, 2009 – 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. – OMAHA
¨ November 17, 2009 - 7:00 – 1100 a.m. – OMAHA
¨ November 18, 2009 - 7:00 – 1100 a.m. – NORFOLK
¨ November 20, 2009 – 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. - LINCOLN
Forklift Training
The OSHA standard 29CFR1926.602(d)requires employees who operate forklifts be trained in both the classroom and through a practical exercise on the type of equipment that they will be running in the field.
$125.00 each attendee – Member Price/$200.00 each attendee – Non-Member Price
¨ November 11 & 12, 2009 - 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – OMAHA