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Bay City Commission names Protec Cabling Systems a responsible contractor after hearing on safety record
Summary
After a responsibility public hearing, the Bay City Commission voted unanimously to deem Protec Cabling Systems a responsible contractor under Ordinance 2021‑14. Protec’s project manager said recordable incidents were repetitive‑strain injuries, and commissioners concluded the firm had taken corrective steps.
The Bay City Commission voted to recommend Protec Cabling Systems as a responsible contractor after a responsibility public hearing on safety records and an extended discussion of the company’s experience modification rate.
Rob Simons, project manager and partner with Protec Cabling Systems, told the commission the company’s elevated EMR was driven by strains and repetitive‑use injuries, not by safety‑program failures or single catastrophic accidents. “We have never had a work‑related incident that was negligence of a safety program,” Simons said, describing 2023–2025 entries as back sprains, strained elbows and one employee struck in a hospital crosswalk. He said Protec has adjusted its safety program for an aging workforce, purchased lifting equipment and emphasized training.
Several commissioners described the incidents as repetitive‑stress injuries and not the kind of high‑risk events that would indicate systemic safety violations. “Seven incidents across three years appear to be repetitive or out of the company’s control, not the sort of ladder‑fall hazard that indicates a gross safety failure,” said Commissioner Doyle. Commissioner Kubit thanked Protec for taking responsibility for employees and for appearing to explain the records.
The motion to recommend Protec as a responsible contractor under Ordinance 2021‑14 passed on a roll call recorded by the clerk as nine yes, zero no. The ordinance underlies the city’s procurement responsibility review; the commission’s recommendation returns the matter to staff for final contracting steps.
Protec’s presentation emphasized that several recordable entries were non‑acute strains and that the company averages about 75,000 man‑hours a year. Protec said it has no recent incidents involving traumatic injuries tied to unsafe practices, and company representatives said they had improved ergonomic equipment and training to reduce repetitive injuries.
The clerk recorded the formal motion and roll call at the conclusion of the discussion. The commission’s action restores Protec’s eligibility to bid for city work subject to the city’s contracting rules and any conditions the procurement office may impose in finalizing award terms.
