Talk the TAUC

A veteran worker with white hand syndrome said he couldn't hold his newborn grandchild — until the right glove changed everything. What are hand injuries really costing the workers on your site?

Host Kirk Westwood sits down with Joe Geng, Vice President of Superior Glove and author of Rethinking Hand Safety, to tackle one of the most persistent and underestimated risks on every construction jobsite: hand injuries. Joe grew up in his family's glove business and has spent his career helping companies understand why hand injuries consistently rank as the number one or two injury on site. What is the real difference between a jobsite with almost no hand injuries and one that cannot get them under control? Joe says it comes down to "really getting employee input into solving that problem." In this episode, they dig into PPE myths, worker psychology, supervisor accountability, training failures, cultural barriers, and the practical steps contractors can take starting now.

Joe Geng is Vice President at Superior Glove and a longtime hand safety expert who has spent his career helping companies reduce workplace hand injuries. Growing up in his family's glove business — founded by his father in 1961 — he developed a deep understanding of both hand protection and the broader safety challenges workers face on the job. He is the author of Rethinking Hand Safety, a book focused on the myths, behaviors, and practical strategies that shape real-world safety culture on jobsites across North America.

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Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

Rethinking Hand Safety: Myths, Truths, and Proven Practices by Joe Geng: https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Hand-Safety-Truths-Practices/dp/1544506252

Superior Glove: superiorglove.com

TAUC Calendar of Events
TAUC Website
Kirk Westwood TAUC
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

If the best plan doesn't survive contact with reality, what actually separates the teams that adapt from the ones that fall apart?

Host Kirk Westwood sits down with Becky Chahal, Operations Leader at DPR Construction in the San Francisco Bay Area, to dig into what actually happens when a project moves from preconstruction into execution. Becky brings over two decades of field experience across healthcare, life science, data centers, and higher education — and she doesn't sugarcoat it. From early stakeholder alignment to labor curve management and modular prefabrication solutions, she walks through how DPR tackles complexity before it becomes a crisis. What separates the teams that adapt when schedules fall apart? According to Becky, it starts long before boots are on the ground. "The more that you can break down those silos early on is really key to driving a complex job quickly." What's the one planning assumption every contractor should revisit right now?

Becky Chahal is an Operations Leader with DPR Construction in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she manages the delivery of highly complex projects across demanding market conditions. With extensive experience in labor coordination, schedule management, and stakeholder alignment, Becky works at the intersection of planning and execution—helping project teams adapt to real-time challenges while maintaining productivity and trust across trades and owners.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

DPR Construction — www.dpr.com

Vantage Data Centers — www.vantagedc.com

TAUC Calendar of Events
TAUC Website
Kirk Westwood TAUC
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

at would happen if both sides walked into bargaining looking at the same data? CLRC has it — and it's completely free.

In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Carey Peters of the Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) — the organization behind the most comprehensive database of union craft wage rates in the United States. Peters, who has spent years tracking collectively bargained labor agreements across every major trade and region, walks through the newly released 2025 Year-End Settlements Report. First-year settlements averaged 4.7% for the third consecutive year, a sharp jump from 2.8% just a few years ago — a trend Peters ties to post-COVID inflation and what he calls "the contractor's cost conundrum." The conversation covers regional disparities, trade-by-trade breakdowns, and what contractors should factor into bids and budgets heading into 2026. Can the industry sustain a new normal — or are settlements finally about to pull back?

Carey Peters is a representative of the Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC), a nonprofit research organization that provides objective data and analysis on collectively bargained labor agreements in the union construction industry. CLRC’s annual Settlements Report is widely used by contractors, labor relations professionals, and industry leaders to forecast labor cost trends, benchmark negotiated increases, and inform strategic planning across crafts and regions.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

CLRC 2025 Year-End Settlements Report: https://tauc.org/clrc-union-labor-costs-2025/

Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC): clrc.net

TAUC Calendar of Events
TAUC Website
Kirk Westwood TAUC
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

"Hope is just as contagious, if not more so. If you can see that Joe got help and Joe's like me, it makes it a lot less daunting to ask for help." — Wendy Farmer

Construction is one of the most safety-driven industries in North America — yet one of the most significant risks facing our workforce often goes unaddressed: suicide. In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Wendy Farmer and Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas — clinical psychologist, suicide prevention expert, and founder of United Suicide Survivors International — to discuss suicide prevention and mental health in construction, not as an awareness campaign, but as an implementation strategy. The conversation explores evidence-based prevention strategies, peer-driven approaches that work in trade environments, and how to thoughtfully integrate the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline into company safety systems without stigma or fear. Mental health is not separate from safety culture. It is part of it.

Wendy Farmer is a nationally recognized advocate and strategist in suicide prevention and workforce mental health. She works with industry leaders to translate research into practical, scalable systems that protect workers in high-risk professions. Wendy's focus is on implementation — moving organizations beyond awareness messaging into measurable structural change by integrating crisis response, leadership training, peer engagement, and behavioral health into existing safety operations.

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas is a clinical psychologist, internationally recognized suicide prevention expert, and founder of United Suicide Survivors International. With decades of experience advancing evidence-based prevention strategies across workplaces and high-risk industries, she specializes in translating behavioral science into actionable leadership practice — focusing on stigma reduction, upstream prevention models, and building cultures where asking for help is the norm.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 | 988lifeline.org

Veterans Crisis Line — Press 1 when calling 988

Spanish-Language Crisis Services — Press 2 when calling 988

Construction Working Minds — constructionworkingminds.org

Construction Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference — constructionmentalhealth.org

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas — sallyspencerthomas.com

TAUC Calendar of Events
TAUC Website
Kirk Westwood TAUC
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

Why are construction companies considered "low-hanging fruit" for cybercriminals?

Kirk Westwood sits down with Mike Hamilton, founder of PISCES International, a nonprofit providing no-cost cyber monitoring for small governments and public utilities. With decades of experience as former Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Seattle and managing consultant for Verisign Security, Mike brings real-world threat response expertise to construction leaders. The conversation covers why construction companies are increasingly targeted, the three most common attack vectors, and what "good enough" cybersecurity looks like for organizations without massive IT budgets. Mike emphasizes one critical mindset shift: "The Internet is not a nice place. It's here to sell to you, steal from you and manipulate your opinion." Topics include ransomware mechanics, workforce development, and practical resilience strategies.

Mike Hamilton is the founder of PISCES International, a nonprofit providing no-cost cybersecurity monitoring and threat intelligence to small governments, public utilities, and critical infrastructure organizations. A veteran cybersecurity leader, Mike previously served as Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Seattle and as managing consultant for Verisign Security. Through PISCES, he combines live threat response with workforce development, using real-world data to train the next generation of cyber analysts. His work focuses on making cybersecurity accessible, actionable, and resilient for organizations that lack dedicated IT security teams.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

PISCES International: https://pisces-intl.org/

TAUC Calendar of Events
TAUC Website
Kirk Westwood TAUC
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

What's the real impact of immigration enforcement on construction sites—and why are a third of contractors already affected?

In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, to discuss why construction feels more constrained despite strong demand and investment. Ken, widely cited by national and trade media for his economic analysis, helps unpack the market forces creating this paradox—from the low-hire, low-fire environment and regional employment variations to policy uncertainty around tariffs, interest rates, and immigration enforcement. The conversation covers data center and power construction booms, labor cost trends across four different measures, and why the Architecture Billings Index can be misleading. "There are huge parts of construction for which the ABI is a misleading indicator, not a leading indicator," Ken explains, offering practical context for planning in uncertain times.

Ken Simonson is the Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, where he analyzes economic trends affecting the construction industry, including labor markets, costs, regional activity, and investment patterns. Widely cited by national and trade media, Ken is known for translating complex economic data into clear, practical insight for construction leaders. He regularly surveys AGC's 28,000+ member companies across 87 chapters on market conditions, workforce challenges, and policy impacts, providing contractors with data-driven context to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. His economic analysis helps industry leaders make more informed decisions in uncertain markets.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): www.agc.org (28,000+ member companies across 87 chapters nationwide)

American Institute of Architects (AIA) - Architecture Billings Index (ABI): www.aia.org

Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) - supported by AGC and TAUC: www.clrcconsulting.org

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): www.bls.gov

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS): www.bls.gov/jlt

Architecture Billings Index (ABI): www.aia.org/aia-architecture-billings-index

TAUC Calendar of Events
TAUC Website
Kirk Westwood TAUC
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

What's the one thing about PPE that could mean the difference between going home and never coming back?

In this powerful episode recorded live at STUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Ike Pritchett, a Kansas City ironworker with Local 10 who survived a catastrophic jobsite accident. Ike shares his journey from starting in construction at 14, through losing his brother Mack in a bridge accident in 2000, to his own near-fatal incident on February 21st when a come-along struck him in the face, crushing his skull. Thanks to his properly worn helmet, Ike survived and made a remarkable recovery. He now travels the country advocating for safety culture and proper PPE use. As Ike says, "PPE only works if you wear it correctly." His story reminds us that safety decisions aren't abstract—they're the difference between going home or not.

Ike Pritchett is a Kansas City-based ironworker and construction safety advocate with Local 10 Ironworkers. Since joining the union in 1999 (book #1263430), Ike has built bridges and infrastructure across the region, working for companies like Clarkson Construction. After surviving a catastrophic jobsite accident in which a come-along struck him in the face, crushing his skull, Ike has become a powerful voice for proper PPE use and safety culture. He travels the country sharing his firsthand account of how modern protective equipment—worn correctly—saved his life, inspiring construction professionals to prioritize safety on every job.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

TAUC Calendar of Events
TAUC Website
Kirk Westwood TAUC
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

Could a simple helmet upgrade reduce your skull fracture risk by 66%?

In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Dr. Barry Miller, Senior Director of Outreach and Business Development at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, to discuss the groundbreaking construction helmet safety study released in September. Dr. Miller, a national authority on head protection and injury biomechanics, explains how Type II helmets significantly outperform traditional Type I hard hats in reducing traumatic brain injuries. The data reveals that switching to a Type II helmet can reduce concussion risk by 35% and skull fracture risk by 66%. As Dr. Miller emphasizes, "If you're exposed to falls from ladders or scaffolding, it'd be pretty wise to choose a Type II helmet." This conversation explores the testing methodology, top-performing brands, and what's next for construction head protection.

Dr. Barry Miller is the Senior Director of Outreach and Business Development at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, where he leads efforts to translate cutting-edge impact-testing research into practical tools that improve safety across multiple industries. A national authority on head protection and injury biomechanics, Dr. Miller has overseen the development of Virginia Tech's widely respected helmet rating systems, including the landmark construction helmet study released in September 2024. His work helps manufacturers innovate, helps workers stay safer on the job, and helps organizations make informed, evidence-based decisions about protective equipment.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

Virginia Tech Helmet Lab Construction Ratings:

https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/

Virginia Tech Helmet Lab Website:

https://www.beam.vt.edu/helmet

TAUC Website

Kirk Westwood TAUC

The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

Did you know construction workers are 5 times more likely to die by suicide than from workplace injuries?

In this powerful episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP). With over a decade in construction and a deeply personal connection to suicide prevention as a loss survivor, Sonya brings both industry expertise and authentic advocacy to this critical conversation. She reveals the sobering reality that construction sees 5,000 deaths by suicide compared to just 1,000 fatal workplace injuries annually. Sonya discusses practical tools for building cultures of care, breaking down mental health stigma, and implementing mental health champions on job sites. As Sonya powerfully states, "Is it about the mission or is it about a monument?" This episode challenges every construction professional to ask: Are we doing enough?

Sonya Bohmann is the Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), where she leads national efforts to reduce suicide risk and promote mental health across the construction workforce. With over a decade of experience in construction and as a loss survivor who lost her sister to suicide 17 years ago, Sonya brings both professional expertise and personal advocacy to this critical mission. She works with contractors, unions, and industry leaders to build supportive cultures, expand awareness, and equip organizations with free resources to protect workers' well-being and make mental health a core component of construction safety.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

For more info visit: https://www.preventconstructionsuicide.com/

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

TAUC Website

Kirk Westwood TAUC

The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive

Why are we losing 20 times more construction workers to suicide than job site accidents?

In this important episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Justin Azbill of Tribal Group to tackle one of construction's most critical challenges: building safety cultures that actually save lives. Justin brings decades of frontline experience—from Marine Corps service to ironworker, firefighter, and safety leader for major contractors like Suffolk Construction and Canestro. He discusses the alarming reality that the industry loses approximately 20,000 workers annually to suicide and substance use disorder, and shares how his innovative Ally Code training is equipping leaders to address mental health proactively. Justin emphasizes that "a culture doesn't change overnight—it could be five years till you see ROI." Can your company afford to wait? Discover why true safety starts with respect, inclusion, and leadership that puts people first.

Justin Azbill is a workforce development and safety specialist with Tribal Group, where he helps contractors and unions strengthen jobsite culture through training, leadership coaching, and inclusive safety programs. A former Marine, ironworker, and firefighter, Justin has held senior safety leadership roles with Suffolk Construction, Canestro, and Milwaukee Tool. He founded Mission Mindset Us to address the construction industry's mental health crisis, which claims approximately 20,000 lives annually. Justin holds a PhD and advocates for a holistic approach to safety centered on respect, accountability, and empowering people at every level of the jobsite.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects. 

Discussion points:

Resources:

https://www.mission-mindsetus.org/

TAUC Website

Kirk Westwood TAUC

The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive