View Full July PDF Issue - Utility Contractor Magazine

1-million-plusMan-hoursJ.F. Ahern Co.Fond Du Lac, Wisc.J. F. Ahern Co. began as a small steam heat and plumbingshop in 1880. Today, the company employs over 1,000people, on projects from several thousand dollars to over 20million. Despite its size, J. F. Ahern keeps its numerous jobsitessafe.“Safety is not just a priority, it is a value at J. F. Ahern Co.,” saysMike Schultz, Director of Safety at J.F. Ahern Co. “Working safelyis part of our culture and though we have many safety initiativesand projects throughout the year to improve our safety program,none can be attributed to our success as much as the overall safetyculture of the company. From the CEO, through all levels of management,to the employee in the field, safety at Ahern is supportedas the most importantaspect of ourdaily activities.”J.F. Ahern Co.uses the NUCAtraining programsfor Competent Persontraining. Thecompany has seven-personstaff, fiveof whom are safetyprofessionals. Allfive are certifiedinstructors for theNUCA programs.“I challenge youto find another company in the country with those credentials,”says Schultz. “We train every field employee that can beexpected to work in and around confined spaces and trenchesevery three years. Each employee we hire and train is expectedto be a Competent Person for those particular hazards.Project managers and department managers are also trained usingthese programs, depending on the departments in whichthey work. Giving these employees this level of knowledge allowsfor flexibility when choosing work crews and eases themind knowing that the knowledge is present on the job not justin the safety department.”OverallA.E. Bragger Construction Co. Inc.Warwick, R.I.A.E. Bragger was founded in 1927 by the late Albert E. BraggerSr. who retired in 1957 and was taken over by Albert E.“Ted” Bragger Jr., 1994 NUCA President, and his brother, Bill.Upon Bill’s death in 1978, Ted took over the operations andthen brought in son Mark to assist. In 2001, the fourth generationjoined the company. Virginia (Bragger) DiCristofaro,Mark’s daughter and a NUCA Vice President for the past threeyears, came aboard to begin a new era at A.E. Bragger ConstructionCo.Over the last few years, A.E. Bragger has engaged in moretoolbox talks, in addition to its ongoing safety training.It is important to A.E. Bragger that a level of safe operations,fire protection and health stays consistent with OSHA regulationsand nationally-recognized standards to keep its employeessafe. Its program is also intended to create a positiveworking relationship and proper attitudes toward injury andillness prevention between management and employees. Cooperationbetween management and its employees, as wellas the employee and co-workers, is crucial in all safety andhealth matters.A.E. Bragger has also relied on NUCA for direction in safetyby attending the Confined Space and Excavation Safety/CompetentPerson Training programs.“Being a small company, we still maintain the safety practicesof a large company, providing toolbox talks, attending safetyseminars put on by UCARI, OSHA and Dig Safe and otherfederal and state agencies,” says DiCristofaro. “This award is atestimony to the commitment to safety we and our employeeshave to safe and healthful work habits.”“Our employees are now more cognizantof the jobsite surroundings and the work environmentnot only for themselves but theirfellow workers too. We truly now work asa team. Our company being the size that itis has kept up with current and new safetyrequirements. However, we don’t think youcan ever stop working on increasing safetyawareness. Just one fatality or accident istoo much.”— Bob Lafluer, Safety Director for A.E. Bragger.July 2009 | Utility Contractor 21