STAR:

PEERS:

Securing File Cabinets
3/2

Ron Zaragoza observed Rossana Riggs attempting to pull some files from the top drawer of a four-drawer cabinet outside Ron’s work space. The file drawer was catching, and the force of Rosanna’s pulling on the drawer, along with force of gravity on the heavy drawer, threatened to pull the cabinet over. Ron noticed that the file cabinet was not secured to the wall as it should be for earthquake protection, as well as for a situation like this one. He requested assistance from the Safety Officer and facilities staff and quickly had the cabinet secured.

Peter W. Colby

Prevented Untrained Inspector From Entering Clear Well
2/29

Confined Space Entry Supervisor Dan Relei prevented a water quality inspector who had not been properly trained  from entering the recently-refurbished clear well at the Bollman Water Treatment Plant.  Dan’s heads up knowledge of the job site and training needed for entry was lauded by his supervisors and at Bollman.   This is what real safety management is.  Not only was Dan right on as far as not allowing entry, this helped us identify a training gap that will be fixed ASAP.

Dave Huey

Idea for Sharps Containers
2/24

Ramon Gasca was recognized for coming up with the idea for the District to procure sharps containers to safely containerize abandoned hypodermic needles and syringes found along the canal right-of-way.

Jim Rolle

Getting Safety Tracking Database Up
2/17

Carlos Benitez received a thank you for his continuing assistance on getting the Safety Training Tracking database up and running.

Rachel Murphy  

Didn't Hesitate to Take Action
2/7

I’d like to recognize Spiro Zapantis for identifying a potentially unsafe excavation, asking a contractor’s workers to exit the trench and communicating to the contractor that the excavation needed to be laid back further.  The workers quickly complied and the contractor completed additional excavation to ensure a stable trench. Spiro didn’t hesitate to take action.

Chris Hentz 

Making Sure She Was Safe
2/3

Last week, at the end of the day (was dark outside), Jerry Brown stopped at the EOC to make me aware of the number of feral animals roaming outside the building and to make sure I’d be safe when leaving for the day.  I really appreciate the extra effort he took to come in and inform me.  Thanks Jerry!

Eli Gallo

Forklift Safety Review
2/3

Last month, Reggie Borders did an excellent job reviewing forklift hazards and safety rules with the Concord Maintenance crews during a safety meeting.  The training was informative and well-received.

Spiro Zapantis

Meter Box Safety Video
2/2

I’d like to recognize Shawn Kelly, Chuck Gherke, John Elliott and Jason Kranz for developing the Meter Box Safety Video. 

Great job putting this educational tool together that I’m sure will be useful for current and future staff.  It helped me understand some of the work you do and appreciate one of the hazards you encounter in the field.

Chris Hentz

Alerts Employees on Driving Safely in Fog
1/30

Earl Levingston.  During a safety meeting with his co-workers, Earl described a safe way to deal with dangerous foggy conditions when exiting the Middle River and Old River Intake driveways.

Spiro Zapantis

SPOT:

Safe Chainsaw Training For Employees
4/26

John Howard was recognized for taking the initiative to locate, arrange and attend chainsaw train-the-trainer training, and then provide training services to staff.

We identified through our recent training assessment that staff believe they get the best training from in house staff, yet rarely do in house staff volunteer to do training.  John showed strong safety leadership by putting this training together and conducting it.

Found Safe Solution at Rock Slough
4/20

The Antioch Service Center staff recognized Tom Branch for observing a hazard at the Rock Slough Fish Screen vegetation collection pit and finding a safe solution.  When the dump trailer is being hitched, it requires a spotter to help back down the truck into the steep narrow pit.  Tom requested to hold back two surplus 4x4 trucks that were slated for auction.  Parking a single truck in the pit makes it a much safer transition and a one-man operation.

Led Boat Inspection SOP Talk
4/20

Jeff Summers led a discussion of the Boat Inspection SOP during Antioch Service Center’s “SOP Friday” meeting.

Led an SOP Discussion on Storm Water Prep
3/26

Vic Smith voluntarily led an SOP Friday session for the East County crews and reviewed the SOP for Storm Water preparation. Vic was the first East County Crew member to volunteer to do this and he did an outstanding job in picking a timely topic, reviewing the SOP and answering questions.

Ensured Safe Crossing of Streets With Safety Vests
3/2

Bob Eagle was conducting  field work that required him to get in and out of his vehicle multiple times and walk across several streets.  Bob took it upon himself to wear a reflective vest and ensured his co-worker did the same.  This simple safety practice provided an example of thinking about safety with every job.

Used Prudent Judgment With Angry Homeowner
3/1

Reynolds Salamanca went to change a stuck meter.  He knocked on the door, did not get an answer, and turned off the water to start the meter change out.  The homeowner, appearing unstable, came outside and started yelling at Reynolds.  Reynolds tried to talk to the homeowner but when the homeowner could not calm down, Reynolds called Control and asked them to call the police.  Control called the police and Pam Gibson.  Pam waited with Reynolds until the police arrived.  They asked the police officer to stay until the meter change out  could be completed. Pam & Reynolds used prudent judgment by disengaging contact with the angry customer and asking for police assistance.

Woke Sleeping Driver, Prevented Inevitable Accident
2/23

Crew Leader Stan Martinez and Utility Worker Frank Dias prevented an inevitable accident or injury.  On February 15, while waiting at a stop light on Meadow Lane, they noticed a vehicle not proceeding forward when the light had turned green, causing traffic to reroute around the vehicle.  Stan and Frank observed the driver slumped over and unconscious, however, the vehicle began to inch its way into the intersection.  Frank and Stan positioned the valve truck in front of the vehicle, set traffic cones and began to knock on the driver’s window.  The driver woke up.  He had fallen asleep with the vehicle in gear and his foot on the brake.  Stan told the driver to pull over if he needed to sleep.  Stan and Frank’s actions prevented a potential vehicle accident.

Electrical Safety Awareness Presentations
2/17

Bill Kough, Electrical Technician, and Rodney Johnson, Instrument Technician, received Spot Recognitions for developing and presenting electrical safety awareness presentations to the Central and East County Maintenance groups.  The presentations included interesting electrical demonstrations.

How do I nominate someone for an award?

PEERS: Anyone can nominate any other employee for a Providing Extra Effort in Recognizing Safety (PEERS) award.

PEERS Recognition is intended to recognize actions that, while expected as part of normal job responsibilities, demonstrate a commitment to safety in the workplace. Nominate someone by sending an e-mail here: peers@ccwater.com. Describe the person's action or fill out a form available in various District lunch rooms.

SPOT Recognition: Nominate someone by telling that person's supervisor, the Safety Officer, any member of the District Safety Committee or Site Safety Committee, what happened. Only an employee's supervisor, the Safety Officer, or committee members can award the Spot Recognition and needs to fill out this form.

SPOT Recognition is not intended to recognize actions that are expected as part of normal job responsibilities, but are generally characterized as contributing toward the District's goals of achieving a 'world class' safety culture through self-initiated actions.

STAR Recognition: The highest safety award, the District Safety Committee awards STARs based on their review of PEERS and SPOT awards. It recognizes actions that show superior commitment to safety through exemplary actions.