September 11, 2015

News

OCA Chapter Updates
Every year, OCA volunteers around the state give their time and technical expertise, along with in-kind and monetary donations to complete community service projects for the enrichment of their communities.

Several chapter memberships have completed - or are in the process of completing –these hands-on projects for non-profit organizations.

Akron-Canton Chapter
The Akron-Canton Chapter recently organized volunteers to prepare a building site for Pegasus Farm in Hartville. Pegasus Farm is a therapeutic equestrian center that serves 500 disabled individuals from eight different counties.

OCA Akron-Canton Chapter Executive Committee members and Community Service Co-Chairs, Mary Fantozzi (J.D. Williamson Construction) and Jim Ruhlin, Jr. (The Ruhlin Company) led the project which will be officially recognized by Pegasus with an award to be presented in October at their annual Gala.

Akron-Canton Community Service Company Participants

Eastern Ohio Chapter
The Eastern Ohio Chapter recently organized volunteers to install a gravel parking lot and driveway for the Fort Steuben Scout Reservation.

OCA Eastern Ohio Chapter Executive Committee members Jeremiah Johnson (Beaver Excavating Co.) and Therese Mizer (Mid Atlantic Maintenance) led the project which will be completed this fall.

Eastern Ohio Community Service Company Participants

Beaver Excavating Co.

Cadiz Ladies Auxiliary

Cadiz Sons of the American Legion

Follow the River Environmental

Mid Atlantic Maintenance

Ohio CAT

Parnell & Associates, Inc.

Sidwell Materials Inc.

StateLine Paving
                                                       
Thank you to all of the companies and individuals who volunteered to make these projects a success.           
                                          

Reminder: Hall of Fame Nominations and Distinguished Service Award Nominations
Nominations are being accepted for the following professionals:     

·         Hall of Fame (contractor members)

·         Distinguished Service Award (associate members) 

Requests for nominations are solicited through chapter meetings and newsletters. Nominated candidates must meet the following requirements before being listed for election: 
 
  a) Must have 20 years of service to the construction industry. 

  b) Active with OCA at least 15 years, serving at least 15 years on OCA’s statewide  
     committees. 

  c) Candidates should have contributed significantly toward the stated goals and purposes 
     of the Ohio Contractors Association. 

Candidates must be nominated by an OCA member. No more than two may be elected to the Hall of Fame and one elected for the Distinguished Service Award each year. A secret ballot will be used to select nominees. Deadline for nomination is September 30, 2015.

Please submit your nomination to Rachel Sirca at [email protected].

Reminder: Past Presidents Service Award Nominations
The Past Presidents of OCA have established an annual award, “The Past Presidents’ Service Award,” that stands for recognition of outstanding service for or on behalf of OCA. Its purpose is to encourage OCA members to contribute more service for the association throughout the year and reward them for doing so. 

The award includes $500 to be shared equally by those elected, as well as a plaque, supplied by the Past Presidents. Any candidate must be affiliated with an OCA member in good standing. He or she must have contributed some extraordinary service for the association during the year. Any, and every, OCA member is eligible. OCA staff members are not eligible. Any OCA member may submit a name to be considered. 

All persons to be considered will be rated by all Past Chairpersons on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating. The person receiving the most points will receive the award. OCA will be responsible for distributing the names and resumes to the Past Chairpersons and collecting and tabulating the ratings of the nominees. Deadline for nominations is September 15, 2015.   

Please submit your nomination to Rachel Sirca at [email protected].

Upcoming Events

Confined Space Training At OCA
OSHA’s new confined space standard for construction (29 C.F.R. § 1926 Subpart AA) took effect on August 3, 2015.  The compliance deadline has been extended two months to Oct. 2 for employers that make “good faith” efforts to comply with the rule.

 Among the ways an employer can show a good-faith efforts are scheduling training for employees, ordering equipment needed to comply with the new standard and taking measures to educate and protect employees from confined space hazards.

OCA will conduct a Construction Confided Space training class at the OCA office on September 30, 2015.  The class is scheduled from 8 am to 5 pm. and includes lunch. 

The class, conducted by OCA Associate Member, Safety Controls Technology, will cover requirements of the new 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA Confined Space in Construction Standard.  The class will emphasize differences between construction vs. general Industry. The class will cover general requirements, permitting, reclassifying, and safe entry procedures including hands on entry using common confined space equipment. Emphasis will include the role of the Competent Person, entry employer and controlling contract responsibilities.

The cost for OCA members is $150 per person.  Non-member cost is $250.  Click here to access the class online and register.