The seventh annual Trench Safety Stand Down (TSSD) held last month delivered to thousands of our industry's employees what NUCA sought: an increased attention to safety around jobsite excavations.

So far, 248 companies at 1,726 jobsites trained 17,298 employees on safe working techniques around and in trenches and excavations. We need every NUCA member who held an event to let us know how many of your employees benefitted from this training. Please send NUCA your completed TSSD reports by July 21 (and your event photos, too)! Helmet stickers will be going out soon--but only if we have your reports! The TSSD online reporting form is found here.

NUCA signed an important agreement June 22 with several construction industry stakeholders to better protect employees who perform trenching and excavation work. The agreement between OSHA, NUCA and other trade associations and unions establishes the "Partners for Safe Trenching and Excavation Operators Alliance." The alliance will help small- and medium-sized construction businesses train and educate employees on how to prevent the four leading construction industry hazards (falls, caught-in or caught-between, struck-by-objects, and electrocution). More here.

In 2023, NUCA's Construction Law Committee is holding a construction law webinar every other month to discuss with NUCA members current legal topics affecting the utility construction industry and our member's business operations. The third webinar will discuss contracts requiring minority, women, and disabled business certification and usage on federally-funded projects, and how general contractors and subcontractors can avoid False Claims Act violations. Find out more and register here for the event.

NUCA Advantage offers free educational seminars for you and your employees. The July 12, 1:00pmET webinar will discuss the basic structure of estate planning, what is required, do you need an estate lawyer, and when you should begin the process. Presented by NUCA Advantage's retirement expert Chris Price. Register here.

NUCA-approved instructors are an elite group of industry professionals who have built our industry's safety culture. NUCA's next 2023 TTT course is being held October 3-6, 2023 in Addison, Texas (suburb of Dallas). Competent Person and Confined Space Entry Training session are offered. If your company is facing a loss of trained instructors, this course will help you enhance your safety personnel and company safety program. Find out more at nuca.com/ttt, or contact NUCA's education director Mike Flowers at mike@nuca.com or 703-358-9300 for registration, costs and space availability.

Every business needs to mitigate its risks. Now NUCA members have a choice in how they obtain commerical insurance for their utility construction company. NUCA Choice offers members commercial insurance options for auto, crime, property, general liability, marine, surety, umbrella, and workers’ compensation. Members can also consult with NUCA Choice's partner, FCCI Insurance Group, and their local risk control team to use the FCCI Risk Solutions Network, a cloud-based platform to help participants stay compliant, manage risks, and educate employees. To find out more or locate your nearest participating insurance agent, go to NUCAChoice.com.

2023 is the year to "Make NUCA Yours!" and our fall convention the big event to "Build Your Business." Pencil in on your calendar the 2023 NUCA Annual Convention & Exhibits, our very popular annual member get-together. This year, the Convention will be held October 26-28 in Naples, Florida, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. Our preliminary program is available and includes our relaxed favorites and new business building events. Our keynote speaker, kindly sponsored by NUCA National Partner Core & Main, is the charismatic Randy Fox, former NCAA official and corporate leader.

 

We want you to see you and your guest this fall relaxing in sunny Florida while making the right moves to build your construction business! Registration for the 2023 Convention is now open at www.nucadigs.com.

 

Are you a water and wastewater finance professional? The 2023 Water Finance Conference is aimed at reaching utility executives involved in the water, wastwater, and stormwater fields. The panel discussions will include NUCA CEO Doug Carlson and other utility construction experts. Attendees can take part in panel discussion, earn CEU/CPEs, and take home information that can help you or your municipal authorities create a water financing program that works. The conference will be held Aug. 8-9, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The early registration deadline for NUCA members to save $300 ends July 14, so register today! Find out more about the conference at waterfinanceconference.com.

Enjoy these cost-saving business benefits through our affinity partners! Save up to 30-75% on services and goods such as freight shipping with Member Freight, shipping and printing fees with UPS, and low prices on Lenovo computers and other products. Log into your NUCA Member account to take advantage of these savings! Click here for more information. For questions, contact Lauren Hensley.

The heat of the summer is already upon us! With many areas already breaking temperature records, now is a great time to talk about heat related work safety. This week's TBT: Working in Hot Environments