News

It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week!

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is celebrating 20 years! This annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season encourages safe driving through highway work zones. It is a way to raise public awareness for work zones and those who work in them. Motorists are encouraged to slow to posted speed limits, eliminate distractions while driving, and be watchful for roadway workers and their equipment. This year’s theme is Safe Work Zones for All. Protect workers. Protect road users.We Can Do It!

#nwzaw  #OrangeForSafety  #SafeWorkZonesForAll

Honoring the Life of a Leader & Friend

On this, the 15-year anniversary of the passing of David M. Righter, we would like to share a little about the history of The Righter Company, Inc., as we honor the life of a leader and friend.  You may learn something new!

The Righter Company was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1976 by Don and David Righter, a father and son team. As a general contractor, the company slowly but steadily grew. Their construction services included:  bridges, culverts, locks and dam repairs, waste and water treatment plants and various miscellaneous public work improvement projects, in addition to general building construction and renovation projects.

In 1984, Donald W. Righter was succeeded by David Righter who took over as President for the expanding and profitable construction company. The open shop general contractor found its core work in the civil area, working primarily for public owners such as Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio Department of Administrative Services, and various Ohio counties and cities, while maintaining some involvement in the private sector with selected industrial clients and the telecommunications markets.In 1994 with the launching of the Piling and Shoring Division, the company recognized a construction specialty need that matched the work experiences and the strong engineering expertise that the company had developed.

The Righter Company mourned the loss of David M. Righter, on April 15th, 2005, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer.  We strive to continue his legacy. This company Dave and his father founded helped provide jobs and income for many families.   With Dave being a huge Buckeyes fan, the Buckeye tree planted in his honor at the entrance into our office parking lot serves as a reminder of Dave’s life and his contributions.

Working at a Distance

Righter workers on Tom Ison’s crew at the City of Columbus’ Hayden Run Aerial Sewer project are safely working together at a distance while attending their weekly safety talk.  The project includes the removal and replacement of 42″ sanitary pipe and manholes.  A great big “thank you” to our crews taking the social distancing guidelines to heart and doing their part to potentially help stop or slow the spread of COVID-19.

Is it COVID-19, Cold or Flu?

Celebrating Women in Construction

The 60th Anniversary of Women In Construction (WIC) Week is March 1-7, 2020. This is a national event that was started by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry.  Righter salutes the women of The Righter Company and all women in the industry!

Righter Staff Attend ABCD Luncheon on 2/12/2020

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Bradley R. Nadolson (President), Michael D. Killilea, II (Vice President), and Bill Wyner (Project Engineer/Estimator) attended the Association for Bridge Construction and Design’s monthly luncheon.  While there, they listened to Speaker Tim Keller, P.E., from the Ohio Department of Transportation.  Tim provided an update on the state of bridge practices in Ohio and touched on various items from within the Office of Structural Engineering at ODOT. 

Ladder Safety

The Righter crew working on the City of Columbus Southerly Water Meter Vault project were recently reminded of ladder safety during their Weekly Safety Talk.  Discussed were the four rules that cover safe use of ladders. They are: picking the right ladder for the job you are going to do, making sure the ladder is in good condition, setting up the ladder correctly and working safely while on the ladder.  Pictured is Justin Adams, Johnny Fuller and Kasey McCloskey.  Mark Litter is the jobsite Foreman and Nick Miller is the Project Manager.

The Nation Goes Red in February

February is designated as American Heart Month, as proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.  To promote awareness, on the first Friday in February the nation comes together on National Wear Red Day.  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States; a projected one in every four deaths is from heart disease.  This equates to 1,773 deaths per day, or one person every 37 seconds.  Healthy living can help reduce CVD and includes healthy eating, physical activity, weight management and stress management.

“Do Your Part, Care For Your Heart” — American Heart Association

Source:  The Arrow, a monthly publication by Assurance Group and https://www.yourethecure.org/heartmonthnyc

Don’t Be Left Out In The Cold!

Living in Central Ohio, we know that sooner or later cold weather WILL come.  May as well face it and be prepared!  The following are Cold Weather Preparations that our field crews recently discussed in their weekly safety talks:

STAY UP-TO-DATE
– Be aware of current weather conditions
– Stay informed of potentially hazardous weather
– Monitor weather forecasts

DRESS APPROPRIATELY
– Wear layers of loose fitting clothing
– Stay dry with water resistant clothing
– Wear windproof material as an outer shell
– Wear clothing with proper ventilation
– Keep a spare set of clothes on hand

PROTECT HEAD, FEET AND HANDS
– Keep head covered whenever possible
– When head protection is necessary, make sure it is equipped with an insulated liner
– Protect feet with insulated socks, wear two pairs if feasible
– Protect hands with insulated gloves

EXPOSURE GUIDELINES
– Restrict exposure time if temperatures reach -17° C (0° F)
– Restrict exposure time if wind chills reach –30° C (-22° F)

Pictured below is James Talbert, Josh Priest and Shawn Ison, working under the supervision of Tom Ison at the City of Columbus-Division of Water project TANK OVERFLOW MODIFICATIONS, located on Henderson Road.  Stantec is the Design Consultant.  Nick Miller is the Project Manager.