The Washington Hospital project has established an exceptional safety culture that goes far beyond typical construction site protocols.
The Washington Hospital project has established an exceptional safety culture that goes far beyond typical construction site protocols. Working within an active healthcare facility while maintaining full hospital operations requires extraordinary measures to protect both patients and workers.
The project team has implemented comprehensive safety practices that have not only ensured zero incidents but have also built remarkable trust with Washington Hospital Health System (WHHS) staff.
Hospital construction presents unique challenges that standard construction sites never face, says Project Manager Saurabh Bisen. “The team must maintain hospital function while simultaneously demolishing and rebuilding critical infrastructure. This requires strategic coordination with scheduled shutdowns performed during late-night hours, extensive scheduling oversight, and daily coordination with hospital staff and security to ensure both efficiency and safety.”
Washington Hospital’s staff welcomed Webcor’s crew with open arms after witnessing their safety-conscious approach and commitment to maintaining the highest standards, says Saurabh, who credits Safety Manager Phil Nunez and Sr. Superintendents Karl Jeppesen and Maria Damas with coordination of the complex safety program. This mutual trust has become a cornerstone of the project's success.
Process ICRA protocols are essential for maintaining sterile environments within active healthcare facilities. The team maintains visible ICRA postings throughout the hospital in coordination with the hospital safety team as new workspaces are created and demolition areas are completed. Daily maintenance and monitoring of tack mats and negative air machines ensure adequate dust containment and air quality throughout each shift.
Interim Life Safety Measures ensure that fire safety and emergency protocols remain intact during construction activities. These measures require careful coordination with hospital systems and staff to maintain safety standards while construction activities are ongoing.
The team conducted innovative mock evacuation drills to test emergency response effectiveness. Since WHHS does not allow radio use inside the active hospital, the construction team developed a unique whistle system to alert craft teams during emergencies. The evacuation drill achieved remarkable results: complete evacuation and headcount of all subcontractors in just 7 minutes from start to finish.
Maintaining a dust-free environment is critical in healthcare settings. The team implemented baseline sound and air quality sampling to measure conditions and implement necessary controls. This comprehensive approach includes negative air machines, tack mats, and scheduled off-hours work to minimize impact on hospital staff while creating the safest possible environment for both patients and construction workers.
The primary challenge was maintaining full hospital functionality while performing demolition and reconstruction work. The team addressed this through strategic planning, including:
The safety-conscious approach has significantly impacted the overall team culture, fostering increased collaboration and trust between construction crews and hospital staff. The Washington Hospital team's confidence in the construction crew's safety practices has created an environment of mutual respect and cooperation.
A particularly proud moment occurred when the executive team happened to be on-site during the evacuation drill. “The positive feedback received that day reinforced the impact that prioritizing safety has had on the entire project,” Phil recalls.
Phil shared Special recognition of key team members who made this safety culture possible:
The team's commitment to safety culture extends to recognizing and celebrating the workers who make it possible. The upcoming Webcor BBQ Field Appreciation Day demonstrates the project's commitment to acknowledging the hard work and dedication of all team members who contribute to this exceptional safety record.
This summer, Webcor Concrete continued its commitment to workforce development through partnerships with the Construction Industry Education Foundation, engaging with high school students through summer camp experiences and design-build competitions
Riley Jones, Webcor Concrete project manager on the BDFP project, facilitated a jobsite tour for CIEF Summer Camp attendees, bringing construction education full circle to his alma mater, Buhach Colony High School (BCHS). The opportunity arose when Riley saw an internal memo about Webcor's previous sponsorship of the school and reached out to get involved, particularly motivated by his connection to a former teacher who was organizing the event.
"My AP Calculus teacher in high school was organizing the event, and he was pretty impactful during my education in high school, pushing us students to challenge ourselves and apply ourselves in the classroom," he explained.
The day included a comprehensive safety orientation and project overview presentation, followed by an on-site tour where students learned about the water treatment process. For Jones, the experience was particularly gratifying: "The most rewarding part is watching kids get excited about construction in the real world."
According to Ashley Slovak, youth programs manager for CIEF, the Summer Camp is "a week-long, hands-on program that introduces high school students to careers in the built environment." Hosted in partnership with local industry leaders, such as Webcor, the camp provides students with opportunities to explore construction through jobsite tours, interactive workshops, and mentorship from professionals in the field.
Students work in teams to complete real-world building challenges, gaining practical skills and insight into potential career paths. The program is designed to be accessible to all interested students, requiring no prior experience and serving as an impactful entry point into the construction industry.
Beyond the summer camp, Webcor once again supported BCHS students in the CIEF Design-Build Competition, where students constructed a small shed from scratch. The project encompassed multiple construction disciplines, including framing with lumber and plywood, sheathing, electrical work, installation of doors and windows, and roofing. Students were evaluated on the quality of their work, adherence to safety protocols, and compliance with other construction standards.
To prepare the student team, Riley and Finance VP Mark Lambert visited the school to discuss industry opportunities and various career paths available in the construction industry. Additional Webcor employees provided follow-up training on safety procedures, tool usage, and practical construction techniques.
Webcor Concrete (WCG) has built a reputation for more than exceptional skill in the field—over the years, they’ve become known as our official grillmasters. Now, they're taking their talents and famous Webcor BBQ trailer to the communities in which w
Webcor Concrete (WCG) has built a reputation for more than exceptional skill in the field—over the years, they’ve become known as our official grillmasters.
But they’re not stopping at Webcor— they’re taking their talents and famous Webcor BBQ trailer to the communities in which we live and work.
Cooking for Oakland Lacrosse Club’s Alumni Day
Last month, Webcor Craft President Chris Plue, WCG Sr. VP Greg Miller, WCG Construction Manager Ivan Ramos, WCG Construction Manager Dennis Heimer, and WCG Superintendent Ronald Hanneman fired up the grill at Laney College’s grass field for Oakland Lacrosse Club’s (OLC) Alumni Day.
WCG showed up ready to support, serving up plenty of BBQ classics for OLC’s alumni, staff, supporters, and current members as they celebrated their community impact and discussed their continued efforts to champion Oakland’s elementary, middle, and high school students.
"The entire Webcor BBQ team was grateful for the chance to come out and support such a great program through Alumni Day,” Greg says. "Thank you to Chris, Dennis, Ivan, and Ronald for cooking and serving that night, and to WCG Operations Manager Adrian Meraz for helping with all the prep and logistics involved with making it all happen!” Greg says.
