Flashings

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OSHA offers Web page for whistleblower protection

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has unveiled a Web page for its whistleblower protection program that is designed to provide workers, employers and the public with easily accessible information about the 18 federal whistleblower protection statutes OSHA currently administers.

The Web page, www.whistleblowers.gov, provides information about worker rights and provisions under each of the whistleblower statutes and regulations OSHA enforces. Additionally, program fact sheets and information discussing how workers can file a retaliation complaint with OSHA are available. The information also is accessible through OSHA's website, www.osha.gov, by clicking on the Whistleblower Protection link.

Under Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), workers can file discrimination complaints with OSHA if they believe their employers have retaliated against them for exercising a broad range of rights the OSH Act protects. These rights include filing safety or health complaints with OSHA and seeking an OSHA inspection; participating in an OSHA inspection; participating or testifying in any proceeding related to occupational safety or health; or reporting an injury or illness to their employers.

"OSHA doesn't work unless workers feel secure in exercising their rights," says OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor David Michaels. "This Web page is part of OSHA's promise to stand by workers who have the courage to come forward when they know their employers are cutting corners on safety and health."

Workers also can file whistleblower complaints with OSHA if they believe their employers have retaliated against them for engaging in protected activities related to air carrier safety, asbestos in schools, commercial motor carrier safety or security, corporate fraud, environmental issues, nuclear safety, pipeline safety, public transportation agency, rail safety or security, and several other statutes. For each of the statutes OSHA covers, the Web page provides workers with information regarding time frames for filing, the complaint investigation process, case settlement, reinstatement, back wages, restoration of benefits and other possible remedies to ensure justice for workers.

In addition, OSHA has issued a new rule aimed at reducing deaths and injuries involving construction cranes. Released July 28, the rule is expected to affect about 267,000 construction and crane rental companies and certification organizations that employ about 4.8 million workers. OSHA estimates the regulation will prevent 22 fatalities and 175 nonfatal injuries per year.

The 1,070-page revised standard for Cranes and Derricks in Construction replaces a 1971 regulation. Most provisions of the new rule take effect Nov. 8; one key provision—a new requirement that construction-crane operators must be certified—will take effect in 2014.

One of the rule's major new mandates is certification requirements for crane operators, who will be required to be certified for the type of equipment they are using. Other crane-related workers, including riggers, will have to be qualified.

Additionally, the new rule clarifies that OSHA rules do not pre-empt state and local requirements; includes new mandates for working around power lines; and requires tower-crane parts to be inspected before a crane is erected.

More information is available at www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/.

Small businesses still face economic difficulties

According to a report released in late July by the National Small Business Association (NSBA), small businesses are facing the most difficult business climate they've faced during the past three years.

The report, conducted online between June 23 and July 14 among 400 small-business owners, indicates 41 percent of small businesses are unable to garner adequate financing. Participating small business owners reported decreases in almost every indicator, including business confidence, revenues, job growth and growth projections.

Only 11 percent of participating small business owners reported hiring new employees during the past 12 months, and the net number of employers who cut jobs was 25 percent. Despite projections for the coming year faring better—a projected net increase of 5 percent—a majority of participating employers project no growth in their number of employees.

Almost half of respondents do not believe there will be any growth opportunities for their businesses during the coming year, and 41 percent express concerns about their businesses' ongoing viability. Fifty-nine percent expect the overall U.S. economy to be flat during the coming year, and 29 percent expect another recession.

NSBA's full report is available at www.nsba.biz/docs/nsba_2010_mid-year_economic_report.pdf.

Motivate through communication

Motivating your employees requires clear, effective communication without relying on e-mails or intermediaries. Use the following tips to improve communication with your employees.

• Get to know them. Spend time with every employee who reports to you. Without intruding in their personal lives, get to know each as an individual by discovering what interests and challenges them.
• Express yourself. Carefully plan your messages by determining exactly what you want employees to understand. Don't make employees guess your intentions.
• Speak out. When something is wrong, don't hide your thoughts. Telling the truth without becoming angry or shouting helps prevent time wasted when employees perform tasks incorrectly.
• Give and receive feedback. Tell employees what they're doing right, and correct mistakes. Also ask employees what they need from you to effectively perform their jobs.
• Quickly resolve conflicts. Bring disagreements into the open so they can be discussed honestly. Talking about conflicts can show employees you're not afraid to tackle difficult questions and will encourage them to be honest with you.
• Know when to change your approach. Different situations may call for different strategies. Pay attention to the atmosphere surrounding discussions so you'll know when to shift conversations or change locations to accomplish desired results.

Details

Jean-Paul Grivas

What is your position within your company?
I am vice president of Ray Nolan Roofing Co. Inc., Louisville, Ky.

What is the most unusual roofing project you've performed?
Reroofing 100 squares of roof area that was surrounded by high-rises and only had dead-end alley access.

Why did you become a roofing contractor?
I grew up with roofing; it is our family business. I enjoy solving problems and relish the challenge of no two jobs being the same.

What was your first roofing experience?
Reroofing a bakery. I had no clue what I was doing. The crew enjoyed razzing me because I was related to the owner. I ended up going home covered in roof cement.

If you weren't a roofing contractor, what do you think you would be?
An architect or real estate agent

List three words that best describe you.
Creative, focused and inquisitive

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Greek Islands (Crete, Santorini and Rhodes)

What three condiments are always in your fridge?
BBQ sauce, Heinz 57 and Dijon mustard

If you could invite any three people (dead or alive) to dinner, whom would you invite and why?
Guido Davit, Ioannis Grivas and John Calipari. Guido and Ioannis are my grandfathers; they passed away before I was born, so I never met them. Calipari is the coach of my favorite basketball team (Kentucky Wildcats). I would love to pick his brain on marketing and self-improvement.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
Finding qualified labor and leaders

What is your roofing industry involvement?
I am current chairman of the board for the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association and an NRCA director.

People would be surprised to know …
I am a licensed architect and real estate agent.

Construction employment declines in most areas

According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), construction employment declined in 285 of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2009 and June 2010. Association officials note the employment figures demonstrate how weak overall demand for construction is outpacing the benefits of the federal stimulus' $135 billion in construction-related investments.

The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville metropolitan area of Illinois lost more construction jobs (21,300 jobs, or 15 percent) than any other area, and Pascagoula, Miss., (2,000 jobs, or 32 percent) and Flagstaff, Ariz., (700 jobs, or 32 percent) lost the highest percentage of construction jobs.

Twenty-five metropolitan areas added construction jobs during the past 12 months, and 27 areas experienced no change in construction employment. Calvert, Charles and Prince George counties in Maryland added more construction jobs (1,900, or 5 percent) than any other metropolitan area, and the Hanford-Corcoran metropolitan area of California added the highest percentage (22 percent, or 200 jobs).

AGC notes the growing volume of stimulus-funded projects is helping save jobs throughout the construction industry but adds that continued weak private, state and local demand for construction is taking a broader toll on construction employment.

"The overall lack of demand for new construction is hurting more than the stimulus is helping at this point," says Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. "While more metropolitan areas have started adding construction jobs, most are still experiencing losses nearly four years after the construction downturn began."

ABC Supply completes acquisition of Bradco Supply

ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., has finalized its purchase of Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J.

ABC Supply's acquisition of Bradco Supply is the largest in ABC Supply's history. The acquisition adds 129 locations in 30 states to ABC Supply's roster; the company now has 479 locations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, as well as sales of more than $4 billion.

"We are excited to begin this new chapter in our history," says Diane Hendricks, ABC Supply's owner, co-founder and chairman of the board. "ABC Supply and Bradco Supply share a commitment to serving professional contractors. That focus makes our combined organizations a great fit, and we're confident that, together, our two companies will create enhanced opportunities for our associates and bring new benefits to our customers."