Safety Program...SAFETY IS PRODUCTIVE ©
LeBlanc Building Co., Inc safety culture is noted by leading professionals throughout the country and in our government as one of the most pro-active in the construction industry.
We were the first sub-contractor in Arizona OSHA's 35 year history to ever enter into an official ADOSH Partnership.
We have been contacted by NIOSH several times to offer our insight into the industries best practices and safety procedures.
Currently we are actively participating in the OSHA Advisory Committee on Construction Safety & Health (ACCSH) and two different NIOSH studies.
In the Summer of 2009 we successfully earned a two year Partnership renewal with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety & Health (ADOSH). As part of the new requirements ADOSH incorporated effective May 15, 2008 our company TCR & DART rates are below the national average when compared to the most recent BLS rates for our NAICS code. During the initial survey a Form 33 safety and health management evaluation will be completed and the employer must pass with a score of at least 2 or higher on each item, in order to qualify
As of January 2010 having completed our OSHA 300 Logs, our TCR & DART Rates are again lining up to be below the newest BLS rates. Employer training and supervisor employee cooperation is one of the biggest reasons for this continued success.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Below is a partial list of the company's safety accomplishments over the last 5 years:
2009 Two workers were saved this year as a result of the company's commitment to use available and feasible Conventional Fall Protection Systems instead of the industry prevalent use of nothing. There were no unprotected falls from height this year. We will continue our work to inform the industry of the truth about the feasibility of OSHA's prefeared fall protection for workers.
2009 In December we returned to Washington DC to continue or dialogue with the Department of Labor/OSHA. We were joined this time by several "Partners in Safety" including Weyerhaeuser, Super Anchor, Petersen Dean, the Arizona Chapter of the ASSE, etc.. Together we presented a large amount of compulsory information on the use of fall protection systems in light commercial and residential like wood frame structures. With the help of many people and organizations across the country we were able to amply demonstrate there are actually many in our Nation who are successfully using OSHA’s required fall protection systems. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor again reiterated that OSHA will be removing the Interim Fall Protection Guidelines.
The company was invited along with all who attended to join ACCSH and OSHA in Houston in April for a Latino Worker Focus Seminar.
While in DC we also met with representatives from NIOSH including Director Dr. John Howard. We received information which outlined our future interaction with researchers and committed to continuing our cooperation. We expect a formal information exchange after the beginning of the year.
We are pleased with the progress which has been made this last year and look forward to OSHA's continuing move toward greater practical worker safety improvements.
2009 In July the Company signed into another Official Partnership with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety & Health. This current agreement will cover a two year period after which company leaders are hopeful they will be able to move forward with CVPP. We anticipate our record will allow us to become the first subcontractor in Arizona to achieve CVPP as we were with becoming the first subcontractor "Partner" with ADOSH.
2009 In July at the request of the Co-Chair of the OSHA Advisory Committee on Construction Safety & Health (ACCSH) Residential Fall Protection Work Group, LeBlanc Building Co., Inc. flew to Washington DC along with a colleague from Petersen Dean Roofing Inc. to discuss their respective companies approach to fall protection during all carpentry/framing and roofing activities. Whether new build or remodeling the focus was on anchor points and their relation to wood frame structures; the presentations included several photos of workers utilizing PFAS and Guard Rails. There was a great deal of interest and several poignant questions about our procedures from the representative from the National Association of Home Builders NAHB.
It should be pointed out that LeBlanc Building Co., Inc. along with the other Arizona and National organizations was supportive of the NAHB last year when they petitioned OSHA to rescind the Interim Residential Fall Protection Guidelines. Currently the Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor had said OSHA is working on the language for rescinding that interim directive.
2009 In response to an open call to industry, LeBlanc Building Co., Inc. volunteered for, and was selected to participate in a pilot study initiated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) to investigate worker fall protection improvements. As a part of this effort, LeBlanc Building Co., Inc. signed a "Letter of Agreement" with the NIOSH to provide technical guidance and support to the pilot study. The LeBlanc Building Co., Inc. was selected to participate based on past and continuing efforts to improve worker safety in residential framing operations. The results of the pilot study are expected to be utilized by the research team at NIOSH to develop a proposal for a larger scale study which will compete for funding in late 2010.
2008 We were again nominated to receive an NAHB "SAFE Award" but this time in the category of Safety Professional of the Year.
2008 One worker was successfully saved this year as a result of the company's commitment to use available and feasible Conventional Fall Protection Systems instead of the industry prevalent use of nothing. There were no unprotected falls from height this year.
2008 Owner John LeBlanc was awarded the 2008 "Safety Executive of the Year Award" by the Arizona Chapter of the ASSE for his dedication and efforts to improve worker safety in the construction industry.
2007 Two workers were successfully saved this year as a result of the company's commitment to use available and feasible Conventional Fall Protection Systems instead of the industry prevalent use of nothing. There were no recorded unprotected falls from height this entire year.
2007 We were nominated to receive the NAHB "SAFE Award" for safety excellence in the category of Specialty Trade Contractor with over 50 Employees.
2007 Recognized by Maracay Homes as the 2007 "Safety Champion of the Year".
2004 The Company was recognized by SCF Arizona as being nominated for the "Best of the Best" award for safety excellence.