That journey is exactly what has defined the last 16 years for Laborer Lead Forman Jesus Chuy Gomez. Since joining Webcor over a decade and a half ago, he has seen the industry evolve, but his commitment to the craft -- and the people performing it -- has remained constant.
Jesus got his start at Webcor as a laborer, learning the ropes on landmark projects like the SFPUC Headquarters and the SFMOMA expansion. It was on these early jobs that he first worked alongside current Webcor leaders like then-Project Director and current President and CEO Matt Rossie and Regional Safety Director Brandon Hagerman.
“My first job was with Matt Rossie back at the PUC building,” he recalls. “Even back then, there was a strong emphasis on safety, and it’s only grown since.”
Over the years, Jesus transitioned from labor to leader, spending the last 15 years as a foreman.
As a Labor Foreman, Jesus is the bridge between the safety managers’ plans and the physical reality of the jobsite. He views his role as a constant educator regardless of what's happening on the project -- whether it's setting up barricades, flagging high-risk areas, or mitigating daily hazards.
“A lot of people go to a hundred trainings, but they don’t always pay attention,” he explains. “You have a meeting every Thursday, but once people leave, they can forget what was talked about. That’s why foremen are so important. It’s our job to stay on top of everything and keep reminding everyone about the dangers.”
One of the most significant shifts he has witnessed at Webcor is the increased focus on inclusive safety communication. As a veteran of the trades, he understands that safety protocols are only effective if everyone, regardless of their primary language, can understand them.
He points to the presence of Spanish-speaking safety professionals as a game-changer for the workforce.
“Language can be a barrier in safety, but Webcor is doing a great job making sure everyone understands,” he says. “Having safety guys who speak Spanish -- like Marco Montejano or the outreach from team members like Dora (Orozco)-- is the best thing Webcor has done for the Latino workers. Their main goal is to make sure every worker understands the rules so they stay safe.”
Beyond the signs and the barricades, he believes the true strength of a project lies in the relationship between the field crews and the safety team. Working closely under the guidance of specialists like Miguel Godinez, he sees safety as a collaborative effort rather than a top-down mandate.
“We work together all the time, the safety guys and the labor foremen,” he says. “They enforce the rules, and we help do the physical work to mitigate the dangers. We set up the barricades and do whatever they need.”
As Safety Week continues, his message to his peers is simple: keep talking, keep reminding, and keep looking out for one another.
“It’s about making sure everyone goes home,” he says. “That’s the job.”
