Safety Program

Safety is an issue we've woven in the fabric of our daily operations.  Our investment in safety is designed to eliminate suffering and to increase productivity. Our safety program consists of the following elements:

Weekly Safety Meetings

Each week, all job-sites conduct a "tail-gate" safety meeting with all employees. This is an interactive meeting covering topics such as Eye Safety, Working in the Heat/Cold, Ladder Safety, Safe Use of Tools, among many other subjects.  Supervisors from each sub-contractor are required to attend, while sub-contractor employees are encouraged to attend.  If sub-contractor employees do not attend, we require a copy of the minutes from that sub-contractor’s safety meeting for that week.

Safety Incentives

Our incentive program is designed to encourage both project managers and construction crewmembers.  Project managers receive savings bonds or gift certificates for compliance with our safety program.  Compliance means maintaining and documenting safety meetings, promptly investigating and reporting any injuries or accidents, ensuring employees work safely and wear appropriate safety equipment, i.e. hard-hat, gloves, safety glasses, long pants, and proper shoes.

Construction crewmembers are also actively encouraged to work safely. Crewmembers who work a quarter without injury receive a gift certificate to different businesses around the area.  There are further incentives for leading safety meetings and suggesting safety tips that become implemented.  Deductions are made for not wearing appropriate safety equipment and clothing, or failing to report an injury, either sustained or witnessed. 

Employee Training

We educate new employees from the start of their employment on the importance of safety within our company.  In addition to receiving weekly safety training, employees are thoroughly trained initially on the safe practices and job hazards within their job.  We recognize the importance of setting the tone early for working safely.

Cal-OSHA Consultation

While many companies tend to hide from any contact with OSHA, we have been pro-active in using Cal-OSHA’s consultation service.  By speaking with safety engineers on a regular basis, we have significantly improved our safety performance.  We also frequently visit the Cal-OSHA web-site to remain updated on safety regulations.

Dedicated Safety Coordinator

As a large part of our commitment to safety, Sunseri Construction has hired a dedicated Safety Coordinator.  It’s his job to oversee safety within our company as well as with our subcontractors.  As part of his job, he studies safety and disseminates findings throughout the company.  He ensures weekly safety meetings occur and visits each job-site on a monthly basis inspecting for safety hazards and proper & safe work practices.  He's an accessible resource for management, employees, and sub-contractors with safety questions and issues.

Do you have questions about our safety program?  Call Ryan Miller at 530-891-6444 or send an e-mail to safety@sunsericonstruction.com.

Subcontractor Management

We have an active system to ensure the suitability of subcontractors working on our project team.  We travel the extra mile to ensure our subcontractors possess the financial resources, skills, and labor power to perform their role in the project. 

The first step toward creating a relationship with a subcontractor is to complete a financial review.  This helps determine the overall financial solvency, bill paying habits, years experience, number of employees, and existence of liens and/or judgments.  References are checked to determine the subcontractors' quality of workmanship, paperwork habits, ability to work with other subcontractors, as well as overall ability to perform the work.

Second, we check the State Contractor's License Board website to determine if the subcontractor's license is current and active

Third, we send out a bidder's questionnaire, which helps us determine if the subcontractors insurance policy limits are high enough and if they are able to bond should one be required. 

Through the interaction up to this point, we develop a sense of the subcontractor's ability to perform the work.

Once a subcontractor is issued a sub-contract, there are several requirements to be met before the sub may perform work.   The sub must have a current and active contractor's license, and must also show evidence of General Liability Insurance & Additional Insured Endorsement, as well as Auto and Worker's Compensation Insurance policies.  Throughout the course of a project, these policies are actively monitored via a spreadsheet matrix to ensure they're always in effect.  Project Managers receive an updated matrix weekly and are trained to not allow any subcontractor on site who is lacking any of the requirements.

The goal of these practices and controls is to safely complete all projects on schedule and under budget through active risk management and efficient & effective teamwork.