FAQ

Expertise

• Does H.J. O'Connell Ltd. specialize in any specific type of work?

  Yes, H.J. O'Connell specializes in several civil engineering disciplines including:

  • overburden mine stripping
  • open pit mining
  • hydro electric development
  • municipal and construction site infrastructure development
  • concrete foundations
  • water and sewer
  • bridge construction
  • tailings dams and dykes construction
  • road building and airport construction
  • asphalt paving
  • drilling and blasting
• What makes O'Connell different from other companies?

  O'Connell stands out above the crowd due to our ability to work closely with our clients and offer innovative and cost effective solutions to engineering challenges. We consistently deliver projects on time and on budget and we are an industry leader with our occupational health and safety program. The combination of these elements has allowed O'Connell to enter into long-term partnerships with its clients.

• Is O'Connell a reputable firm?

  O'Connell Limited has been in existence since 1931, making it one of the oldest heavy/civil construction company’s in the country. Our longevity can only be achieved by having a reputation that is second to none. Consistency in providing clients with value, innovative solutions and dependability is what has given O'Connell the positive reputation of being an industry leader for over 80 years.

Environment, Safety and Health

• Does H.J. O'Connell Ltd.'s safety program comply with current industry standards?

  When it comes to health and safety, H.J. O'Connell believes in more than just complying with industry standards. At H.J. O'Connell our Environment, Safety and Health Program is designed to exceed industry standards, legislative requirements and client demands. Modeled after the construction industry's Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program, H.J. O'Connell scored 96% on its initial audit to achieve COR status.

• How does H.J. O'Connell minimize potential risk in the workplace?

  By adopting a stringent approach to the Internal Responsibility System, employees of H.J. O'Connell Ltd. know and understand their roles and responsibilities to ensure not only their own health and safety but to also protect their co-workers, the public and the environment from accidental harm. Through comprehensive training, effective two-way communications and strict accountability, employees appreciate the company philosophy that safety is more than a priority, it is a value.

  For more in depth information regarding our industry leading Environment, Safety and Health Program please refer to the section on Safety.

• How is H.J. O'Connell's safety performance rated?

  We measure our safety performance using various methods and models. We conduct bi-annual internal audits and as part of maintaining our "COR" status we are audited by the Construction Safety Association on a regular basis. We are also subject to unannounced client audits as part of their Health and Safety programs.

  Another measure of our safety performance is reflected in our Worker Compensation assessment. For the last five years we have consistently received significant discounts on our assessment premiums indicating less claim costs than other companies in the same industry.

  Another method we use to measure our safety performance is the universal Accident Frequency and Accident Severity Rates. Since 1996 we have realized significant reductions in our Accident Frequency and Severity Rates. Throughout the corporation, H.J. O'Connell worked from May 2000 until July 2002, more than 2 years and 2 months, without a Lost Time Accident. This tremendous achievement resulted in an Accident Frequency and Severity Rate of zero for the year 2001.

  Finally, the owners and senior management of the company rate our safety performance internally during a monthly review of the program.

Quality

• Does the company have a Quality Assurance / Quality Control Program?

  Yes, H.J. O'Connell Ltd. has developed, implemented and maintains a Quality Assurance / Control program that meets ISO standards.

• Has the company ever experienced any significant quality control issues?

  No, in the 75 plus year history of H.J. O'Connell there has never been a significant quality issue left unresolved.

Resources

• What kind of equipment does H.J. O'Connell Ltd. own and operate?

  H.J. O'Connell has a vast fleet of earth moving equipment that ranges from 1 to 10 cubic yards in capacity. Our company's operated fleet includes Hitachi EX1200's, Cat 385's, Cat 345's, CAT 336’s and Komatu PC2000’s.

  Our fleet of loaders ranges from Cat 992's to Cat IT28's. Our truck fleet includes CAT 777 (100 ton) off highway trucks, CAT 775 (75 ton) off highway trucks, CAT 773 (50 ton), CAT 769 (35 ton) off highway trucks, CAT 735 (35 ton) articulated off highway trucks, Komatsu 785 (100 ton) off highway trucks, semi dump highway trucks and tandem dump trucks.

  Our bulldozer fleet includes D10, D9, D8 and D6 bulldozers. In addition, we have a variety of support equipment which includes graders, boom trucks, 125 and 100 ton floats, 80 and 60 ton grove cranes, welding trucks and others. O'Connell owns and operates around 300 pieces of construction equipment in total.

• Who maintains O'Connell's equipment?

  Our equipment is maintained in house by a team of experts including our Equipment and Maintenance Managers, Supervisors, Planners, Red Seal and Apprentice Mechanics and Welders.

• What is O'Connell's most important resource?

  Quite simply - our employees. The O'Connell team is what has allowed us to stay in business since 1931.

Current Projects

• What type of projects is H.J. O'Connell Ltd. currently working on?

  H.J. O’Connell is always actively working on a wide variety of projects throughout Canada. Please visit the Clients & Projects section of our website to learn more about our projects and joint ventures.

• Is O'Connell available to bid on any other projects?

  H.J. O'Connell is always available to bid on a project for which they are suited. Whether on their own as a General Contractor or as part of a joint venture, O'Connell is always open for business.

Jeanette Corporate Louanne Andrew Glenn Chase Greg

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