Episode 41: Gabe Ihrig, Milwaukee Tool

This episode's guest is Ernie Crouch, author of the children's book, "4 Feet Under." Ernie is not writing from the sidelines: several years ago, he survived a trench collapse and was pulled out by his coworkers who refused to leave him there. That experience is the heart of the book, and the reason he is taking his story to schools, safety groups, construction organizations, and to media. (13:30)

Dig This! host Bob Baylor interviewed Phil Goodwin, director of government affairs at NUCA National Partner U.S. Pipe, about receiving the association's prestigious "Associate Member of the Year" award. Phil discusses his two decades in the underground infrastructure industry and workforce development in the world of construction. (16:23) 

Luis talks with Dig This! podcast host Bob Baylor about the September "Hispanic Workers Safety Week." Luis, NUCA's senior safety manager, brings his years of jobsite safety experience to talk about the challenges faced by Spanish-speaking employees on a jobsite to understand safety protocols when they are delivered in another language. He also discusses what employers can do to lessen risks and support their Hispanic employees. (XX:xx)

NUCA is very honored to have Matt Compher, senior v.p. at Quanta Services in Houston, Texas, as our keynote speaker at the 2026 NUCA Safety & Damage Prevention Conference. Matt has more than 28 years of safety management experience, and talks with our Dig This! podcast host about his very innovative "Stuff That Kills You" jobsite safety discussions. NUCA is very fortunate to have him as our lead conference speaker. (12:37)

NUCA's VP of Safety and Education Ed DeNeale delivers in this episode the latest update on the upcoming Safety and Damage Prevention Convention in Louisville. The conference format is different, more educational seminars and speakers have been added, and the several networking events planned for guests will be spectacular! Ed also discusses the damage prevention sessions and hopes our audience will be a part of this exciting industry safety event. (10:55)

Each construction employee comes to a jobsite protected by PPE. And that protection starts at the top: their head. In this Dig This! episode, Gabe Ihrig, utility trades specialist with NUCA National Partner Milwaukee Tool, discusses with our host Bob Baylor the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 helmets. Do you know what makes one type of helmet stronger than the other? Find out in this episode.

In this episode, our host Bob Baylor talks to Christine Barnes, executive director for NUCA's Arizona, Colorado, and Utah chapters. Christine talks about her chapters, their programs for safety and workforce development, upcoming events, and what's ahead for their chapter members in 2026 and 2027. You won't want to miss this one. (18:08)

Dig This's Bob Baylor talks to T.J. Bryson about the upcoming Trench Safety Stand Down Week. NUCA National Partner United Rentals is a long-time sponsor and of TSSD and has a world-class trench safety program of their own. They help contractors strengthen our member's safety culture through OSHA-focused training and helping them to conduct toolbox talks with their employees. TSSD has grown over the past decade into a nationwide week of focused safety awareness for the underground construction industry, and Bob and T.J. talk about this important NUCA safety program and its future.

This edition of NUCA's Dig This! Podcast chats with Ed DeNeale about this month's Trench Safety Stand Down (TSSD). In this episode, Ed discusses TSSD, how companies can participate, online resources available for your stand down, and more. https://nuca.com/events/tssd/

In this edition, NUCA's Robert Baylor talks to Keith McLaughlin, executive director of the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority about his state's program administering the Clean Water and Drinking Water state revolving funds. Keith describes how this resource flows from Washington to Colorado communities, and how utility contractors get involved in his state's infrastructure projects.https://www.cwrpda.com/