New Laws in Effect Jan 1, 2023: Just as it is one thing to make a New Year’s resolution and another to keep it – revising policies is simple, but actually implementing the changes is what matters. Employers should check to make sure that handbooks are up to date and then ensure that the company is complying with all of the changes and any other changes in the law. For more information or assistance regarding these updates as well as how to comply with these changes, consult with your counsel or counsel of your choosing.

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More than 20,000 people die in home accidents every year and about a third of all injuries occur there.

Holiday time can be a real killer if you do not follow safe practices — so — before you start to ‘Deck the Hails’ this year:

Check insulation on electric cords and inspect for any other damage before using them. Make sure your tree lights are approved — look for the Underwriters Laboratory tag. Never place electrical cords under rugs and do not overload circuits, match the plug to the outlet. Use a fireplace screen and NEVER burn a Christmas tree in the fireplace. Keep candies away from the tree.

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November 28th Newsletter

No matter what type of construction work you are in you see guardrails, handrails and covers on a regular basis. All three are used to prevent us from failing into a hole, off the edge of a floor or down a stairway.

Falls are a leading cause of injuries and deaths in the construction industry. Guardrails, handrails, and covers are designed to reduce those statistics, and if it is your life that is involved, that is important, right?

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CR Committee-Chair Lacey Torkelson Smith and yours truly did a one hour “ride-a-ling” with City of Santa Rosa City Manager Smith on Friday to see firsthand how weeds and poor maintenance by the City of Santa Rosa is hurting the appearance of the city.  This is important because businesses and residents look at the appearance of the city and get first, second, and lasting impressions about living here, or moving here.  The ECA and Lacey are supportive of cleanup efforts, but we have some reservations that we expressed to City Manager Smith on Friday.  More to come later—

Auction Committee-no report

Golf Committee-the Tournament is set for Friday July 21, 2023.  We will be going back to our old favorite at Windsor Golf Course.

Spec Committee-The first meeting with the revamped Spec Committee was held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, from 4-5:30pm.  The minutes are attached HERE so you can see how the ECA is representing our contractors, engineers, and members.  Low Impact Development was the main topic, and the meeting was important, and eye-opening.               

Car Show Committee-No report

Nominating Committee– The proposed slate 2023 Board of Directors was made to the General Membership on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at the Annual General Membership Meeting and the General Membership voted in the entire slate of 2023 Directors.  Thanks to the General Membership and to the 2022 Directors under the leadership of President Walt Turner.  Next, we have the 2023 calendar year led by new President Antonio
Mencarini and his 2023 Board of Directors ~ click here

Please save the date of our Installation and Awards Dinner on Feb 4, 2023, at the Rohnert Park Hilton Doubletree.  This is the event that will showcase our Volunteer of the Year Jeanine Cleary (Argonaut), Contractor of the Year (Ghilotti Construction Company), Affiliate of the Year (Valdivia Trucking), and our Hall of Fame Newest Inductees (posthumous Ed Winters of Argonaut, and living is Rob Lee of Team G)! We will also be welcoming  incoming President Antonio Mencarini of Ghilotti Construction Company and the 2023 Officers and Board of Directors!

Click here to sponsor and here to register!

Horseplay leads to many injuries and property loss damage incidents in the United States every year. A quick search on YouTube or Google will show you hundreds of these types of incidents.

While you should enjoy the work that you do, your work should always be completed safely and responsibly.

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Lifting and rigging work tasks are considered a high-hazard task by many companies. There are a
lot of associated hazards that accompany lifting any loads with cranes or equipment.

It is important to not only understand proper rigging techniques, but also the other hazards that
accompany this type of work task.

to continue click HERE

On construction sites, mines, and other types of work sites diesel engines are used frequently. Diesel engines power everything from water pumps to heavy equipment that allow for day-to-day activities to be completed efficiently.

While these engines are great tools, precautions need to be taken to protect workers from being over-exposed to diesel exhaust.

Workers exposed to diesel exhaust face the risk of health effects ranging from irritation of the eyes and nose, headaches, and nausea, to respiratory disease and lung cancer.

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Every day before our work begins, we should go through some type of process to evaluate the work for the day as well as the associated hazards.

This process can include a self-check as well as a work area inspection and inspection of tools or equipment.

During this process, a main objective should be identifying hazards so that you can take steps to eliminate or mitigate the hazards found. One useful question to ask yourself before a work task begins is: “What can hurt me?”

Click HERE for the rest.

Click HERE for the 2023 Board of Directors