NUCA Presents Safety Awards to New Mexico Firms

The National Utility Contractors Association announced the winners of the 2005 William H. Feather Award Safety Awards at the 2006 Washington Summit, June 6-8, in Arlington, Va. Created in 1978 to honor the contributions of the founding chairman of NUCA's Safety Committee and to recognize his commitment to safety demonstrated by other NUCA members, this prestigious honor recognizes NUCA-member companies who put safety first.

There are five levels of this award and New Mexico contractors won three of those. These companies exhibit a high commitment to construction safety," said NUCA vice president of safety George Kennedy. "Their safety conscious attitude should be a model for all other construction companies to follow."

The winners were: Cone Construction, Albuquerque, N.M., 0-50,000 man hours; RMCI Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., 200,001-500,000 man hours; AUI Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., 500,001-1 million man hours. Honorable mention went to Sundance Mechanical & Utility Corporation, Albuquerque, N.M.

Initially bestowed on a single individual or company, the award was later expanded to include contractor members who had the best safety records in five categories established according to total manhours. Winners today are chosen on the basis of injury frequency data, a safety statement, and company safety program information.

Based in Albuquerque, NM, the National Utility Contractors Association of New Mexico (NUCA of NM) is comprised of 60 members, contractors and suppliers, in the underground utility construction industry. NUCA of NM members provide the materials and workforce to advance the water, sewer, infrastructure, and construction site development industries.

Rosendin Electric Wins Intel's Preferred Quality Supplier Award

Rosendin Electric, Inc. was named a recipient of Intel Corporation's Preferred Quality Supplier award for outstanding performance in providing products and services deemed essential to Intel's success. The company was awarded for its efforts in supplying Intel with electrical construction services. Rosendin Electric, Inc. and 25 additional PQS award winners were honored recently at a celebration in Burlingame, Cali.

"Rosendin Electric has long been a leading construction services supplier for Intel and we are proud to recognize them as a Preferred Quality Supplier for 2005. They are committed to safety, quality and customer support, and their continued high level performance has resulted in them being the first construction supplier to win this award," said David Aires, Fab 12 factory manager, Intel Corporation.

The PQS awards are part of Intel's Supplier Continuous Quality Improvement process that encourages suppliers to strive for excellence and continuous improvement. To qualify for PQS status, suppliers must score 80 percent on a report card that assesses performance and ability to meet cost, quality, availability, delivery, technology and responsiveness goals. Suppliers must also manage and deliver on a challenging improvement plan and a quality systems assessment.

Sky Harbor Recognized by FAA for Safety

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has received the 2006 "Air Carrier Airport Safety Award" from the Federal Aviation Administration Western Pacific Airports District Office. The Phoenix airport received the honor for its innovative solutions and partnerships that have resulted in enhanced airport safety.

"Sky Harbor's Operations, Facilities and Design and Construction divisions have worked hard to partner with all stakeholders here at the Phoenix airport to ensure good communication and consistent methods of operation," said Phoenix Aviation Director, Carl Newman. Mr. Newman is also past Chair of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Operations, Safety and Planning Committee.

One of the Phoenix Aviation Department's most important safety advancements has been the development of an Airfield Standards Committee.

In past, it was possible for contractors working at the airport to interpret FAA guidelines for airfield markings, lighting and signs in different ways. The Airfield Standards Committee is producing one set of standards for all contractors at Sky Harbor to follow to ensure consistency for pilots taking off and landing at the airport.

This award comes the same year that Sky Harbor achieved a perfect FAA safety inspection. The annual inspection of all commercial airports evaluates records on training, airfield safety inspections, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) equipment, and aircraft fueler safety training. The inspection also looks at the relationship between Air Traffic Control and the airport, airfield markings, lighting, emergency response and the safety of construction activity.

In its most recent inspection, the FAA did not recommend a single improvement.

NUCA 2005 Chapter Awards of Excellence Announced

The National Utility Contractors Association has announced the winners of its 2005 Chapter Awards of Excellence. These coveted awards are presented to NUCA chapters that support their members, the association, the industry and their communities with outstanding publications, services and events.

Award recipients from the Southwest included NUCA of New Mexico, winning the Educations Programming Chapter Award of Excellence and Honorable Mention for the William H. Clausen Community Service Award. NUCA of Arizona received an Honorable Mention in the Special Events category.