City of Albuquerque Proposed Ordinance

for Required Apprentice Labor

(Repost)

Update 10/07/2024

The proposal was placed the on the Albuquerque City Council's Consent Agenda but was not discussed at this meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2024.

The City of Albuquerque has a proposed an Ordinance that would mandate 15% of labor hours on projects at or above $1 million must be performed by registered apprentices. The proposed ordinance has passed through a committee but has not yet been scheduled before the City Council.

NMUCA is OPPOSED to the proposal and will be communicating our objections to the Albuquerque City Councilors. 

Here are the concerning elements: (see link below for full proposed Ordinance)

• 15% of labor must be registered apprentices (Page 1 Line 20) 
• Required when "a single project construction cost is estimated to cost $1,000,000 or more" (Page 2 Line 24)
• Work cannot be divided between contractors/subs. Each contractor/sub shall comply with the apprenticeship requirement. (Page 3 Line 5)
• Submission of payroll reports (Page 3 Line 10) 
• Vague exemptions (Page 3 Line 15)
• 10% bidding preference for contractors with 25% of apprentice performed labor on the job (Page 3 Line 21)
• Penalties for non-compliance included a one year suspension from future projects (Page 4 Line 21)
• Only apprenticeship programs registered through the state are considered "official apprenticeship" programs. In-house programs are not accepted (Page 2 Line 20) 

NMUCA is opposed because:

• Creates Market restrictions 
• In house apprenticeship programs are not considered 
• Preference bidding will afford advantages to specific industry markets, and, in turn, results in disadvantages for contractors and subs. 
• Payroll/labor submission may lead to public scrutiny
• A low threshold practically ensures that every project funded by the city would be subject to the ordinance
• NMUCA does not have need or access to various apprenticeship programs
• Concerns over the availably of apprentices to comply  

When the ordinance is scheduled to be heard, I'll send out an alert. In the meantime, please feel free to contact your councilor and let them know how you feel about the ordinance and how it will affect your company. 

Contact Your City Councilor (Albuquerque)

Click Here to Read the Proposed Ordinance

Tuesday October 22, 2024

• Damage Investigation Workshop | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Competent Person Training | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Lunch & NMRCGA Golf Tournament | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Introduction to the Service Area Editor | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Ground Penetrating Radar Training | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• NMRCGA Reception | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Wednesday October 23, 2024

• Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall | 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM
• Welcome & Opening Remarks | 8:30 AM - 8:40 AM
• Damage Prevention… A Shared Responsibility | 8:40 AM - 9:50 AM
• Your Reputation is Your Brand | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
• Positive Response Codes - Contributing to Clarity or Confusion? | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
• Lunch - Awards Ceremony | 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM
• Networking with Exhibitors | 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
• Gathering 101 to 501… Where to Start if you Just Became Regulated | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
• Damage Prevention Is in the Details | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
• NM Dig Law Update | 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
• NMRCGA Reception / Door prizes | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Thursday October 24, 2024

• Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall | 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM
• 811 Is a Resource You Aren’t Fully Using | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
• Revamping Wide Area Locates & Updates to the 811 Process | 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
• Damage Prevention & Effective Enforcement | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
• What Changes to Insurance Coverages and Policies Affect You | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
• Utility Excavator Panel Discussion | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

October is National Protect Your Hearing Month 

Is your workplace or home fire proof? Each year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) celebrates National Fire Safety Month in October. While the statistics show that the number of fatalities due to fires or explosions in the workplace is on a downward slope, any number other than 0 is unacceptable and demands the attention from management, safety professionals and employees in every company. Not only do fires present a severe life safety hazard, they also can be detrimental to business success due to the possible destruction of business equipment and facilities. This campaign serves as a reminder to us all of the importance of fire safety awareness in both the workplace and our home lives.

Fire safety awareness in the workplace should be second nature and should be translated into our personal lives to keep our loved ones safe in the event of a fire as well.

Below are key components to ensuring your workplace and home are fireproof:

1. Eliminate Clutter – Exercise good housekeeping. Clutter can easily become a fuel source in the event of a fire, allowing a fire to spread quickly. Furthermore, clutter can restrict access to emergency equipment and exit routes.
2. Designate Smoking Areas – Permit smoking only in designated smoking areas and provides means for extinguishing smoking materials safely.
3. Fire Extinguishers – Maintain the appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers. Conduct monthly and annual extinguisher inspections to ensure they are in good, working condition. Provide training for employees on the correct use of fire extinguishers.
4. Chemical Safety – Use and store chemicals safely. Read hazard warning labels and safety data sheets to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Ensure your chemical storage areas provide adequate ventilation for the storage of chemical or other hazardous substances.
5. Waste Control & Storage – Limit the accumulation of flammable or combustible materials and residues as to prevent the risk for such materials contributing to a fire emergency.
6. Exits – Ensure emergency exit route diagrams are posted and accessible in all areas of the facility for all employees to easily view. Additionally, ensure means of egress are well-lit with regulated exit signs and free from debris or clutter.
7. Contact Information – Employees should have access to a list of emergency contact phone numbers in case of emergency. Remember that human nature is to panic in emergency situations; therefore, basics such as the company address, important phone numbers, and building floor plan should be posted on or with the emergency action plan.

Information provided by Safety Resources

Safetydude LLC Newsletter

Click Here to Read it Online

Did You Know?

OSHA's construction infrastructure webpage provides resource for employers, workers and others involved in the job of improving and building our nation’s infrastructure. It includes information about common construction hazards and how to better identify and control them using safety and health programs.

¿Sabías?

La página web de OSHA sobre la construcción de infraestructuras proporciona recursos para empleadores, trabajadores y otras personas implicadas en el trabajo de mejora y construcción de las infraestructuras de nuestra nación. Incluye información sobre peligros habituales en la construcción y sobre cómo identificarlos y controlarlos mejor mediante programas de seguridad y salud.