Lynn Barr
Underground has had an active Safety Program since the
early '60's
Underground has had an active Safety Program since the early '60's. The
Company's operations, led by Dick Hall, then Vice President, was dedicated to Safety long
before OSHA came along. We had a full time Safety Engineer predating my employment in
1967. He was Art Seymour, Guy's dad.
Even back in those days, the Company published a weekly Safety Letter to
our crews, insisting that hard hats be worn at all times, and rewarded our safest
Superintendents and Foremen. We also had our famous quarterly Superintendent's Safety
Meeting. There were fewer of us and we had them upstairs over the shop at 2600 Williams
Street in San Leandro. "Ernie's Smorgy" in the break room always followed the
meeting.
As things evolved, Art moved up to Division Manager and Tom McManus was
appointed Safety Engineer. At about that time, OSHA was born to insure that employers had
a safe work place in all of the states. Some had no regulations at all. Tom is a Civil
Engineer and became one of the first Registered Safety Engineers in California. |
Under Tom's guidance our Safety
Program became more formal and codified to match the reorganized regulations in
California. It was sometimes a confusing period and Tom threaded his way through the maze
and came out with a coherent plan that is in truth the basis of our present program. One
of Tom's innovations in 1970 was the Golden Trench Jack Award to be presented to the
safest Supervisor in the Company. The Award always carried a major prize with it. In the
beginning, a color television was presented, then trips to Hawaii and other things such as
cash awards.
The Golden Trench Jack focused our Supervisors on the old motto "Safety
Pays". Over the years the competition has become intense and we always look forward
to our December Safety Meeting to find out who was safest. The winner gets a big hand from
his peers. It's really gratifying to see.
This year, I had the distinct privilege and high honor to present the 2001 Golden
Trench Jack Award to Joe Kovacich. Joe was in Dallas on a job but got a great ovation from
the crowd. Joe supervised over 29,000 hours without a recordable injury. When you consider
that most of the work was done in downtown San Francisco, and mostly at night, it's a
great performance by one of our "old Pro's." Thanks, Joe. The Company and your
men really appreciate your dedication to getting them home safely every day. In addition
to Joe's award, 46 other Supervisors were recognized for superior performance with cash
awards. I congratulate each of them again for their fine work.
The Golden Trench Jack Award is a tradition at Underground. To date, 29 Supervisors
(some twice) have been recognized since 1970 and I am proud to have presented 13
personally. It is the most rewarding part of my job. |
