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The annual Conaway Conference will be March 3 & 4, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus located at 350 N High St., Columbus, OH. The conference will provide a forum to review the previous construction season, provide valuable information for the upcoming year, and a networking opportunity.
March 3rd - Day 1 of the conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. The format and sessions will be similar to last year’s Conaway Conference. Registration and Continental Breakfast are tentatively scheduled for 8:00-9:00 with sessions ending at 4:50. Day 1 Registration is $150 (breaks and buffet lunch included).
March 4th - Day 2 of the conference will also be held at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Day 2 is targeted toward ODOT and contractor leadership personnel. Registration is tentatively scheduled for 8:00-8:30 with sessions ending at noon. Day 2 Registration is $65.
Conference Registration Link
Hotel reservations can be made at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Columbus where the contract hotel block is.
Hotel Reservation Link - Hyatt Online Booking Reservation Group Code: OCAS Phone: (614) 463-1234
The agenda and other information will be shared once it is finalized. There will be CPD hours for both days of this training.
Sponsorship Opportunity - An annual collaborative effort between OCA and ODOT. We bring together over 600 people to attend sessions led by ODOT staff, OCA experts and other professionals. This is THE partnership conference to learn and network. Sponsors will have their company names and logos in the program (if received by Feb. 7), on the introductory screen before the opening session and the individual sessions. Great exposure for $500.
To learn how to get your spot, contact David Rule, Director of Member Events at (614) 488-0724.
Equipment Maintenance Council Meeting - February 13
We are excited to announce our first Equipment Maintenance Council meeting for 2020 is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th. Meeting will be hosted by Kokosing Construction (6235 Westerville Rd, Westerville, OH 43081). Presentation subject is “Coolant Problems Will Become Engine Problems” presented by Emily Featherston with POLARIS Laboratories®. RSVP to Jason Timmons with Kokosing Construction Company by February 7th to confirm your attendance either via email ([email protected]) or text/call 419-989-2231.
Download Flyer
FMCSA REPORTING RULE FOR EMPLOYERS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 6, 2020
On January 4, 2017 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to establish requirements for the Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse), a database under the Agency's administration that will contain information about violations of FMCSA's drug and alcohol testing program for the holders of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). This rule was mandated by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). It is intended to improve roadway safety by identifying commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who have committed drug and alcohol violations that render them ineligible to operate a CMV. The compliance date was established as January 6, 2020 and caught many by surprise because it took effect more than three years after implementation of the rule itself.
The Clearinghouse Rule
The Clearinghouse rule requires FMCSA-regulated employers, medical review officers (MROs), substance abuse professionals (SAPs), consortia/third-party administrators (C/TPAs), and other service agents to report to the Clearinghouse information related to violations of the drug and alcohol regulations in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 40 and 382 by current and prospective employees.
The Clearinghouse also requires the following:
• Employers are required to query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees' drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a CMV on public roads.
• Employers are required to annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.
The Clearinghouse website includes a user-friendly “Learning Center” where you can find out more information about the rule and what you must do to comply. Click on the following link: FMCSA Clearinghouse Learning Center
Also available on the site are presentation slides from FMCSA’s instructional webinar for employers and CDL holders. This is also a useful compliance tool. Click on the following link for the presentation: FMCSA Instructional Webinar
For Employers
If you have any questions about the new rules, or need assistance, please contact Mark Potnick in the OCA office.
ODOT Seeks Input on Item 611
January 2020 marks the seventh year of implementation of CMS 611. CMS 611 was implemented to encourage industry innovation while reducing risk to the Department. Since implementation, the specification has received numerous updates and modifications.
Below is an online survey that ODOT put together as a means of industry feedback. The Office of Hydraulics has issued this to the conduit manufacturing industry already. The survey works best with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. ODOT would like to have the survey completed by February 29th.
We appreciate any assistance you may be able to provide!
https://odot.formstack.com/forms/odot_cms_611_survey
ODOT Updates Claims Database
ODOT’s Division of Construction Management recently announced that the Claims Database on their website has been updated and condensed. The database now provides one page which is searchable by claim number, year, district, location, contractor, and issue(s). To access the Claims Database, click here.
FASB Pension Disclosure Assistance -2019 Tax Year
OCA’s union collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), require signatory contractors to contribute money into multi-employer pension plans on behalf of their union employees. The plans provide benefits to union employees who may work for many employers during their careers, thereby enabling them to accrue benefits in a single retirement plan.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), which sets accounting rules for U.S. companies, issued standards several years ago, requiring disclosures from employers participating in multi-employer pension plans (Accounting Standards Update 2011-09). The standards require contractors to report certain information on their financial statements for all multi-employer pension plans in which they participate.
OCA compiles a summary spreadsheet to assist contractor members with the required financial disclosures. Click on the following link for the 2019 OCA FASB Summary. (Download Spreadsheet) Employers remain solely responsible for the financial disclosures and will also need to determine the amount of their own contributions made to each plan and to all plans in the aggregate.
The spreadsheet can also be accessed on OCA’s website at www.ohiocontractors.org.
If you have any questions, please contact Mark Potnick in the OCA office at 614-488-0724.
ODOT Announces Additional Webinars on Subcontractor Payment Reporting on
ODOT-let Construction Projects
Attention prime contractors and subcontractors on ODOT-let construction projects: Prime contractors shall become compliant with Proposal Note 031 (“Prompt Payment”) by entering and signing all previously made subcontractor payments (on open projects) by February 1, 2020 and by entering and signing future subcontractor payments as they are made. The proposal note requires you to utilize the AASHTOWare Project Civil Rights & Labor (CRL) system to enter these payments. Entered payments must be signed in order for subcontractors/suppliers to affirm their receipt of the payments made. This webinar will feature a demonstration of how these payments are entered, signed, and affirmed as well as a live Q&A session.
Please register for the Subcontract Payment Reporting on ODOT-let Construction Projects webinar at one of the following dates/times (each webinar will cover the same content):
• Wednesday, January 29, 2020 2:00 PM EST: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2439586907785950477
• Wednesday, February 5, 2020 9:00 AM EST: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6730998383181732365
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
ODOT to Provide Training for Updated Commercially Useful Function (CUF) Requirements
ODOT will be offering training classes to inform contractors and consultants of the upcoming update to ODOT Policies and Procedures to address DBE Commercially Useful Function (CUF) requirements. This training will provide an overview of how ODOT identifies issues and red flags in order to ensure compliance. The training will also address new required documentation requirements by ODOT for CUF reporting on a project by project basis. There will be two sessions on February 10, 2020. For more information, click here.
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The Latest Workforce Development News from I Build America - Ohio
I Build America
Ohio is a resource available to OCA members to support workforce development efforts. New content and materials designed to attract the next generation of our workforce are added weekly, and it is all available completely free of charge to you.
Check out the latest from I Build America - Ohio:
• Get to Know I Build America - Ohio
• Speaking to students? Check out our Student Resources.
• A career in construction offers a bright future. Share the video now.
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Safety Training at OCA – Utility Damage Prevention
During OCA’s 2019 Winter Conference, our safety breakout session addressed the importance of avoiding unsafe and costly utility damages on your job sites. Contractors must train their crews at the point of service so that they know the requirements of Ohio’s Damage Prevention Laws, and how to properly plan and operate to avoid underground utility damage.
OCA has a strong presence on Ohio’s Underground Technical Committee (UTC) who works with the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) to enforce Ohio’s underground damage prevention laws. The UTC and PUCO are experiencing more and more violations by both excavators and utility owners for not following the law. Fines and/or corrective action plans are being ordered as a result.
OCA is again offering its highly rated training course on utility damage prevention in 2020. This course is designed to give contractors’ field personnel the tools and knowledge necessary to avoid dangerous and costly run ins with underground utilities. Your crews will not only learn their own obligations under the law, but also learn what utility owners must do to comply with Ohio’s damage prevention laws.
Three half-day sessions are scheduled at OCA’s Columbus office on February 19, March 11 and March 25. The courses meet OSHA requirements for Competent Person Training. Click on the following link for additional course and registration information. (Registration Form).
Online Registration:
February 19, 2020
March 11, 2020
March 25,2020
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Engineers Week Luncheon & Sponsorship
Each year in Central Ohio we celebrate the work of Professional Engineers by observing National Engineers Week, a celebration dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce. This year we will be hosting an in depth presentation on the Columbus Regional Airport Authority's current expansion and future plans for air transportation in Central Ohio. Join fellow engineering colleagues and students for an excellent networking and mentoring opportunity, as well as a delicious meal during the presentation.
Introduction:
Nathan Lee Roy Harris: Graduate Student, The Ohio State University
Presenter:
Shannetta Griffin, PE: Chief Commercial Office for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority
When:
February 20, 2020
11:30a-12:00p - Registration/Networking
12:00p-1:30p - Presentation
Where:
Bridgewater Banquet & Conference Center
10561 Sawmill Parkway
Powell, Ohio 43065
Cost: $35
Menu: Choice of Herb Crusted Chicken, Bacon Wrapped Maple Pork Loin, or Vegetarian entrees. Tossed Salad, Roasted Red Skin Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Coffee, Tea, and Dessert will also be provided.
Registration Deadline: February 10, 2020
Link to Registration
And don't miss out on your sponsorship opportunity!
Your sponsorship will help support the cost of the luncheon and enable select high school and college students interested in engineering to attend the lunch at no cost.
Click here for more information on sponsorship
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OCA members invited to attend Ohio Laborers’ Union Workforce Development Presentations being held around the state
Ohio Laborers' Union is holding workforce development presentations around the state and would like to extend an invitation to OCA members for the dates listed below. Discussion topics are relevant to workforce development, safety, and health programs such as:
- Laborers' Health & Safety Fund
- Fair Contracting staff
- Apprenticeship standards and recruitment
- Health and Pension benefits available
Please click on the area you would like to attend for a link to register:
Lorain - 2/12/20
Canton – 2/18/20
Marion –3/12/20
Feel free to contact Laborers’ Statewide Apprenticeship Coordinator, Vincent Irvin at 740-504-2707 or [email protected] with any questions about the sessions.
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Quick Links to On-line OCA Resources
• Current Ohio Contractor Magazine
• Safety Resources
• Labor & Employment Information
• OCA President's Commentary
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