Friday, January 17, 2014

RMA Wins Brawerman Diabetes Clinic Project at the City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA

Brea, Calif. (Jan. 17) - RMA Land Construction, Inc. (RMA) was awarded a contract by the City of Hope to convert an existing space into a diabetes clinic to better serve patients and their families. The existing space is located within the basement of the Brawerman Building located on the campus of the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA. The space currently houses miscellaneous administrative support groups.

With the main facilities in the building remaining occupied and operational during construction, RMA will implement stringent measures to ensure that the health and safety of the patients, staff and visitors will be maintained at all times. Work will be coordinated with the City of Hope to mitigate disruption to the ongoing operations of the building. 

The project consists of interior upgrades and alteration consisting of demolition; installation of plumbing domestic hot/cold water and drains  in treatment/exam rooms and restrooms; HVAC ductwork; replacement of electrical system; modification to fire protection alarm and sprinkler systems; installation of new energy efficient lighting fixtures, including emergency lighting; acoustical ceiling tiles; signage; wall and flooring finishes; and installation of nurse call  system and vacuum systems that will tie into the existing systems.

RMA Land Construction, Inc. is a design-build general contractor with over 32 years of proven experience on projects for the Federal government, Department of Defense (DoD), and commercial clients. RMA provides design-build management for a multitude of projects in globally diverse locations, including new construction and renovation of administrative buildings, training facilities, entry control facilities and access control points, military barracks, hospitals, fitness centers, maintenance facilities and special ops facilities; renewable energy solutions and electrical distribution; heavy and civil/horizontal construction; and maintenance and support services. Visit www.rmaland.com for more information.

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Thursday, October 3, 2013

Keith Greer, Recognized as a Rising Star of Safety, Class of 2013

Keith Greer, RMA’s Site Safety and Health Manager, has been named a “Rising Star of Safety” by the National Safety Council (NSC). The NSC Rising Stars of Safety program honors up-and-coming safety leaders in a variety of industries. Keith was selected as one of the program's 40 leading safety professionals out of 110 nominees.

"Keith has been an invaluable resource to RMA’s Health and Safety Program," said Sharon Groff, RMA’s Corporate Safety Officer. "He has developed and implemented creative initiatives to improve our safety program and instill safety as a core value at RMA.”

Rising Stars of Safety nominees must meet the following criteria set forth by the NSC.

  • Younger than 40 years old
  • 5+ years direct safety experience and some level of safety oversight
  • Demonstrated safety leadership, with practical examples of:
    • Leadership attributes that set the nominee apart from his or her peers
    • Initiating and/or leading a successful safety initiative with measurable results
    • Engaging peers and transforming the safety culture of the organization
    • Valuing safety as a critical part of business operations

Congratulations, Keith!

Read more at the Safety + Health Magazine Website: http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/9133-shining-brightly?page=2

 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Walsh RMA Joint Venture Finalizes Construction for the Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility Project

Brea, Calif. (Sept. 18) – RMA Land Construction, Inc. (RMA) under the Walsh RMA Joint Venture (Walsh-RMA), is celebrating the recent completion of the $37.8 million Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility (TEMF) project at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. As with any successful project, objectives were achieved through a commitment to exceed the minimum requirements, and go beyond the call. Construction featured six (6) new facilities designed to meet USGBC LEED® Silver Level, including a large 14-bay two-story 60,000 SF tactical equipment maintenance shop; Petroleum Oils and Lubricants (POL) storage; 1,512-stall tactical vehicle parking hardstand; a 100-stall POV parking lot; over one mile of storm drainage; and 3,600 LF of fencing and gates.
 The Walsh-RMA team met or exceeded the quality standards indicated on the project plans…. Management at Walsh-RMA were easy to work with and responsive to the needs of the customer.”
(Source: Interim Contractor Performance Evaluation from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)


According to Steve Mohammad, RMA’s Executive Vice President, the coordination of multiple subcontractors and over 750 individuals performing work on the 21.5 acre site was a significant effort. Walsh-RMA, led by the veteran site management team, ensured collaboration at all levels and pressed forward to maintain momentum and construction progress. At times working up to 18 hours a day, six to seven days a week, Walsh-RMA provided the customer with beneficial occupancy on July 12, 2013.

When faced with unforeseen challenges, the team not only stepped up to the plate but exceeded the client’s requirements. During the site/civil phase of this high-profile project, unexploded ordnances (UXOs) were discovered. Originally understood to be a clear site, training landmines were found during clearing and grubbing which required a work stoppage period. Walsh-RMA employed the services of a qualified UXO specialist to perform disposal and clearance, and further assisted with personnel training for potential UXO recognition and response actions. 

Keith Greer, Site Safety and Health Officer/Environmental Health and Safety Manager (SSHO/EHS), attributed the success of this project primarily to the commitment at all levels of the Joint Venture and willingness of subcontractors to comply and train their personnel on safety. “Safety indoctrination was accomplished early on with buy-in from all subcontractors which facilitated a safe work environment,” Keith explained. “Our subcontractors appreciated that we held safety to such a high standard to ensure everyone returned home safely to their families.”


Walsh-RMA was presented with a Certificate of Accomplishment Safety Award by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Honolulu District, for the outstanding achievement of completing this project with zero lost-time incidents. Roy Mohammad, RMA’s President/CEO, stated, “Marking a significant milestone, this is the largest single project award in the 32-year history of RMA.” Roy went on to add, “The project team's consistent communication with our USACE client, end-user and subcontractors, along with the perseverance to progress through unanticipated issues, contributed to the project’s success.”

Congratulations to Anthony Choate, Project Manager; Eric Thomson, Superintendent; Ken Carrara, Quality Control (QC) Manager; Keith Greer, SSHO/EHS; Chad Johnson, Assistant Project Manager; Adam Thompson, Alternate QC Manager/QC Specialist; Chad Bennett, Electrical Superintendent/Alternate SSHO; and the Walsh-RMA team for the successful execution of the TEMF construction.




Founded in 1898, The Walsh Group, Ltd. is a family owned business in its fourth generation of leadership providing general contracting, construction management and design-build services. The Walsh Group is capable of performing all site survey, engineering and layout, demolition, site utility, yard piping, process equipment piping and installation, excavation, concrete work and carpentry work with its own forces. Visit www.walshgroup.com for more information.

RMA Land Construction, Inc. is a design-build general contractor with 32 years of proven experience on various projects for the Federal government and Department of Defense (DoD) clients. RMA provides design-build management for a multitude of projects in globally diverse locations, including new vertical construction and renovation of administrative buildings, military barracks, hospitals, fitness centers, maintenance facilities and special ops facilities; high and low voltage electrical distribution; heavy and civil/horizontal construction; and maintenance and support services. Visit www.rmaland.com for more information.

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Monday, July 22, 2013

Striving to be NAVFAC’s Model Construction Site – BEQs at Point Mugu, Naval Base Ventura County, CA

NAVFAC Southwest recently selected RMA’s Design-Build Renovate BEQs, B-21, B-22 & B-23 as the project site to visit at Point Mugu, Naval Base Ventura County, CA. The site was deemed to be impressively clean, orderly and in accordance with safety, quality and production standards.

Capt. Bruce Nevel (NAVFAC Operations Officer) and LTJG Alex Rovinksy (NAVFAC Construction Manager) walked the jobsite with Tiger Clifton (RMA Superintendent/SSHO) and Mac Sheikh (RMA CQC Manager). In addition to Tiger and Mac, the project management staff includes Calvin Hall (RMA Project Manager) and Gina Lopez-Fascia (RMA Project Coordinator).

The BEQ project calls for the modernization of the 62-year-old facilities to increase the buildings’ lifespan and improve the quality of life for unaccompanied enlisted personnel. The three barracks are each two-story and total over 41,000 SF.

With abatement of hazardous materials and work at heights posing intrinsic challenges, RMA developed and implemented detailed Asbestos and Lead Work Plans and a Site Specific Fall Protection Plan to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safe performance of work.

Onsite for 163 days, the project has logged 42,273 man-hours and 3,540 equipment hours with zero lost time incidents. Drywall installation was recently completed with the next phase to include installation of flooring.
 
Congratulations to the onsite team for their continued achievements in safety and client service!



Capt. Bruce Nevel (center) with Tiger Clifton, Superintendent/SSHO (left)
and Mac Sheikh, CQC Manager (right).

Trenching for concrete-encased, electical ductbanks.

A site-specific Fall Protection Plan was developed to ensure safety during roofing work.
 

New interior stairwell concrete placement.










New metal stud framing in corridor of BEQ Building 21.


Monday, July 8, 2013

Fort Hood Access Control Point Project, Onsite for a Year with Zero Lost Time Safety Incidents

Safety Success is a Team Effort. As a result of the firm commitment from our subcontractors to uphold RMA’s health and safety standards, the Access Control Point (ACP) project at Fort Hood, TX, has achieved 365 days with zero lost time safety incidents.
 
RMA’s onsite team implementing the site-specific Health  & Safety Plan (HSP) at the ACP consists of James Steinke (SSHO), Bill Moss (Project Manager), Henry Beaston (Superintendent), Scott Steward (QC Manager), and Paul Henion (QC Specialist).
 
The jobsite is located within Fort Hood’s East Range. With the requirement for the range to remain operational at all times during construction, a traffic control plan was developed and implemented to safely divert traffic and ensure the continued operation of roadways. In addition, the HSP requires daily safety briefings and equipment safety checks, along with onsite training and regular safety audits, to ensure complete awareness of potential hazards, mitigation measures, and proper equipment operations.

A key partner in the project’s HSP is TTG Utilities (TTGU), a local contractor based in Gatesville, TX. TTGU was subcontracted to perform a significant portion of work on the ACP including Site Utilities, Earthwork, Concrete, and Paving services. With numerous safety hazards associated with these features of work, RMA has worked closely with the TTGU crew to ensure safety while meeting schedule milestones.

RMA recently hosted a safety event on June 28, 2013, and recognized the TTGU crew for their unwavering commitment to safety. The TTGU crew is currently comprised of Randy Key (Foreman/Motor Grader Operator), Daniel Kolthoff (Water Truck/Flat Wheel Roller Operator), and Chapin Haynes (Laborer/Operator). The three-person crew has been onsite every work day since March 2013, working without any incident, consistently completing all required documentation, such as the safety equipment checklist, and recording equipment hours on their daily reports.

Thank you to everyone on the ACP team for their contribution to a safe work environment!

Under Construction: GRAB-300 active vehicle barrier system (ASTM M50 crash certified)

TTGU Crew: Chapin Haynes, Randy Key, and Daniel Kolthoff 

Safety on the jobsite requires measures to mitigate exposure to existing road hazards.

Traffic Control: Two-lane road diversions to keep roads open under safe conditions.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Keith Greer, Site Safety & Health Officer, Nominated for National Safety Council’s Rising Stars of Safety, Class of 2013

RMA recently nominated Keith Greer, Site Safety & Health Officer, for the National Safety Council’s Rising Stars of Safety, Class of 2013. According to Sharon Groff, Corporate Safety Officer, Keith was selected for his embrace of the safety protocols and processes. It was through his determination to use opportunities to further his safety knowledge that he was assigned to the large, technically challenging project at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

As the Site Safety & Health Officer at the Walsh RMA Joint Venture Tactical Equipment Maintenance (TEMF) project, Keith encourages individuals to stay focused on safety and improve work practices. He has organized many safety recognition events throughout the duration of the project to highlight individuals and subcontractors who have been models for safe and productive work. The project team will be celebrating the latest achievement of 250,000 man-hours without a lost time accident this week with another safety gathering. 

Rising Stars of Safety nominees must meet the following criteria set forth by the NSC.

  • Younger than 40 years old
  • 5+ years direct safety experience and some level of safety oversight
  • Demonstrated safety leadership, with practical examples of:
    • Leadership attributes that set the nominee apart from his or her peers
    • Initiating and/or leading a successful safety initiative with measurable results
    • Engaging peers and transforming the safety culture of the organization
    • Valuing safety as a critical part of business operations

We look forward to the middle of July when NSC announces the results. Here’s to Keith being recognized as one of the up-and-coming professionals making a difference in safety!

Visit NSC.org to learn more about safety.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

We've Come a Long Way....A Project Update from TEMF, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Brea, Calif. (May 22) - The Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility project at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii is currently at 686 days and over 250,000 man-hours without a lost-time safety incident. With over 750 individuals having performed work on site, a primary focus of the Walsh RMA Joint Venture team has been to ensure a safe, healthy and accident-free worksite for company and subcontractor personnel.

The team recently completed the striping of the parking lots and hydroseeding of lawn areas. The current features of work include final installation of roofing, siding, electrical and fire alarm systems, painting, and security cages.

Recent Project Photos









Photo of project signs taken early May 2013.

 

Look how far we've come!


TEMF late January 2013
Aerial shot of site showing progress late January 2013 (source: Google Maps)
 http://goo.gl/maps/mVolJ


TEMF pre-construction (source: Google Earth)
Aerial shot of site pre-construction (source: Google Earth)