REG becomes founding investor of GGHI’s new Member Dues Relief Fund

Greater Grays Harbor Ince recently announced local biodiesel refinery, Renewable Energy Group (REG) as the founding investor of the GGHI Member Dues Relief Fund.

Last month REG recognized GGHI as a local organization working hard to support our local community and presented the organization with a $5,000 donation. This funding allows GGHI to launch a Member Dues Relief Fund for eligible members experiencing financial hardship.

The team at GGHI doesn’t want any business to lose the benefit of their GGHI membership, especially the benefit of having a web listing in our online directory. The GGHI Online Directory has had nearly 80,000 views in the past 12 months and over 2,000 customers were referred to local businesses directly from the online listing. REG’s donation will aid businesses that might have to make the difficult decision of discontinuing their investment in GGHI.

“This fund will ensure that the Harbor’s local businesses do not lose the benefit of a constant and reliable web presence,” said GGHI CEO, Lynnette Buffington. “In the coming days we will be reaching out to eligible businesses and organizations to offer this opportunity. We are so thankful for REG’s investment in this effort and appreciate their support of a strong local economy.”

Construction firm with nearly 20 years of safety violations fined more than $92,000 after recent inspection

TUMWATER – A construction company with an extensive history of safety problems in Kitsap, Pierce and Grays Harbor counties is being fined more than $92,000 for serious safety violations, including failing to enforce the use of fall protection while roofing a home under construction in Hoquiam.

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) opened its latest inspection of Cloise & Mike Construction, Inc. (formerly Choice & Mike Construction) after receiving an anonymous report in May that included photographs showing four employees engaged in roofing work on a steep pitch roof with no fall protection installed.

Inspectors found that, in addition to employees working at height without proper fall protection, employees were not wearing masks or social distancing, which is a violation of COVID-19 workplace safety rules.

Since 2001, Cloise & Mike Construction has been cited for more than two dozen serious and repeat safety violations after being inspected 26 times. Seven of those inspections occurred in the last three years, resulting in more than $200,000 in fines.

“This isn’t a case of the company not knowing what the rules are,” said Anne Soiza, L&I assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

“Cloise & Mike has ignored their fall hazards, putting their workers at serious risk, for nearly two decades. We hope these substantial fines will motivate them to recognize their obligations and prevent any future tragic outcome for their workers,” said Soiza.

The violations occurred on the construction of new homes in various cities including Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Lakewood and Hoquiam.

In addition to the violations mentioned above, the May inspection resulted in another eight violations.

Cloise & Mike Construction, Inc. is appealing this inspection and two others. Employers have 15 business days from the time they receive the citation from L&I to appeal.

Penalty money paid as a result of a citation is placed in the workers’ compensation supplemental pension fund, helping injured workers and families of those who have died on the job.