News Story Archive

News Story Manager

Tucson Resident Office conducts safe construction at Fort Huachuca

Los Angeles District
Published April 18, 2023
Updated: March 31, 2023
Contractors construct the framework of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Contractors construct the framework of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Contractors perform a land safety measure at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Contractors perform a land safety measure at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Contractors prepare land for parking lots and roads at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Contractors prepare land for parking lots and roads at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Contractors prepare land for parking lots and roads at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Contractors prepare land for parking lots and roads at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

A contractor welds beams at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

A contractor welds beams at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona.

A contractor prepares to move steel beams at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Safety gloves, hardhat, safety vest and eye protection are required when working on the construction site. Ear plugs may also be required, depending on the decibel level of the work site.

A contractor prepares to move steel beams at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District's Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Safety gloves, hardhat, safety vest and eye protection are required when working on the construction site. Ear plugs may also be required, depending on the decibel level of the work site.

Contractor Thane Mir, a project manager with Rasch Construction Inc, removes sand and rocks from the curb before laying of pavement begins at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Mir graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in construction management.

Contractor Thane Mir, a project manager with Rasch Construction Inc, removes sand and rocks from the curb before laying of pavement begins at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District’s Ground Transport Equipment project site March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Mir graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in construction management.

Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten and Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander Col. Johnny Ives discuss construction projects at the installation March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona. One of the projects discussed, the Ground Transport Equipment building, will create additional vehicle storage at the installation.

Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten and Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander Col. Johnny Ives discuss construction projects at the installation March 14 near Sierra Vista, Arizona. One of the projects discussed, the Ground Transport Equipment building, will create additional vehicle storage at the installation.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District engineers from the Tucson Resident Office safely deliver quality programs to the public and military in Arizona with a wide variety of projects and planning, engineering, construction and environmental services.

Harold M. Colby, a district construction control representative from the Tucson Resident Office, discussed the Ground Transport Equipment building project’s safety protocols during an interview March 29 near Tucson, Arizona.

“The USACE mandates our contractors to have an active safety program that is primarily based on the USACE Safety Manual, EM 385-1-1, and to also adhere to the regulations set forth under the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA,” said Colby, the quality assurance representative assigned to the Ground Transport Equipment building project. “The district provides guidance and oversight to the local offices through review of submittals regarding safety, such as Accident Prevention Plan (AAP) reviews, crane plans, dive plans, etc.”

The USACE Safety and Health Requirement Manual, or EM 385-1-1, details the safety and health requirements for all Corps activities and operations. According to the manual, applicability extends to “missions under the command of the chief of engineers, whether accomplished by military, civilian or contractor personnel.”

“What I like about working with the Corps is the safety aspects of the job sites,” said Thane Mir, a project manager with Rasch Construction Inc., a company contracted by the district. “All Corps job sites are super safe. They all follow EM 385 safety, all contractors have to have in their AAPs in and attend daily safety meetings.”

In March, Los Angeles District Commander Col. Julie Balten and Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander Col. Johnny Ives discussed the Ground Transport Equipment building project, in addition to other construction projects at the installation.

“Safely delivering quality projects is our number one priority,” Balten said. “The Los Angeles District is dedicated to delivering safe and quality projects to our Arizona partners and stakeholders.”

The Ground Transport Equipment building project is slated for completion in late 2024.

“Having been a Soldier, working with the Corps and supporting both our nation and our military is a personal honor,” Colby said.

For more information about LA District programs and projects, visit www.spl.usace.army.mil.  

For more information about Fort Huachuca, visit https://home.army.mil/huachuca/index.php.