Pikes Peak Chapter

Chapter Meetings

The Pikes Peak Chapter Meets every other month at a different location, rotating between Pueblo and Colorado Springs.  Meetings are held at a local business and topics are related to the business and tours are offered based on topic and availability. 

The meetings are from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.  The officers have decided to not charge for snacks and beverages but donations to the chapter are always welcome to help offset the costs of the snacks and beverages.

Directions to the meeting locations are provided in the newsletter which is emailed approximately 2 weeks prior along with any site specific instructions or PPE needs.

2007 – 2008 Meeting Locations and Agendas

September 21, 2007 – “Fire & Emergency Evacuation Plan Development” – Sandy Friedman (CSFD) and Jim Vick (Colorado Springs Utilities).  Macaroni Grill, South Circle Dr., Colorado Springs, CO.

November 9, 2007 – “A Sustainable Safety Culture” – Brad Tachney – GM Trane Mfg.  Trane Mfg, Pueblo CO.

January 18, 2008 – “Indoor Air Quality” – Walsh Environmental – Drake Power Plant.  Colorado Springs, CO (Directions & Parking Info)

March 21, 2008 – “Contractor Safety” – Dave Wilson – Safety Manager, Rocky Mountain Steel Mill, Pueblo, CO. Rescheduled to April 11, 2008

April 11, 2008 - Topic & Location TBD

May 16, 2008 – “Airport Safety ”– Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado Springs, CO.

July 18, 2008 – “TBD” – Pueblo, CO.

President's Corner - March 2008

I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, our Chapter name change has been approved by the Society as it was announced at the Regional Operations Committee (ROC) on Friday March 14th. Although the name change does not take place officially with the Society until July 1st, we can begin using it immediately.

We want to say thank you to all that voted in this decision and we truly feel the name change will better represent the members of this wonderful chapter.

Well don’t look now but we have arrived in the month of March! What does that mean, well many things and in particular March Madness is upon us. Oh you thought I meant basketball? Well that too but what I really wanted to focus on is the madness of construction season. While it does go on year round it seems as the temperature warms up and new capital dollars are more and more available for the year many of our organizations increase our project activities and hire contractors to perform a variety of functions for us. This brings to mind the question of Contractor Safety.

People working in contract construction are hurt much more often than those in other industries. In 2006 the construction injury rate was 34% higher than the rate for private industry as a whole. OSHA has been very active in this area focusing on reducing the injury rates for the construction industry but there is more work to do.

Just look at the following recent press release:

2 Workers Die in Ill. Trench Collapse
MILLSTADT, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say two construction workers have died in a trench that collapsed at a wastewater treatment plant in southern Illinois. The deputy chief of emergency services in St. Clair County says one man's body was recovered late Monday. Brian Donley says crews were working to recover the second man's body. Donley says much of the excavation is being done by hand. The trench collapsed around 3 p.m. during work to install a sewer line at the plant in the village of Millstadt. The main construction company working on the plant says the two men worked for a subcontractor.

Many of us here in Colorado also remember the recent incident that occurred in Georgetown where 5 contractor employees died in an empty water tunnel in the Cabin Creek Station Plant owned by Xcel Energy.

As Safety Professionals we need to do our part in Contractor Safety by ensuring that the contractors our organizations hire have the skill, training and experience to perform their jobs safely. A good program may include:

An organization has a lot of influence when it comes to managing contractors. While there may be no guarantees to ensure safety, it is a good idea to have a solid Contractor Safety Program at your workplace. Contractors should be chosen on their particular expertise of the job they are being asked to perform and a good evaluation of past performance to determine their ability to perform the job safely. Of note the lowest bidder may not meet the criteria most of the time.

I look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting. Remember. “COMMIT TO THREE!” See you there!

Dominic Romano, CSP
President, ASSE Southern Colorado Chapter

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