Beer
Hidden cameras caught several contracted employees working on one of the priciest transportation projects in the state drinking on the job. (AP Photo)

WSDOT says it wasn't their workers drinking on the job

BY Kim Shepard  on May 23, 2012 @ 9:48 am (Updated: 9:13 am - 5/24/12 )

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Hidden cameras caught several contracted employees working on one of the priciest transportation projects in the state drinking on the job.

KOMO TV reports employees at contractor KGM's offices were drinking at their desks, allegedly during business hours, as they worked on the $600 million 520 bridge replacement project.

The Washington Department of Transportation's Steve Pierce says it is unacceptable, but it likely will not affect their contract on the project.

"They went through a very extensive process with other bidders. They have a world renowned reputation for floating bridge expertise," he says.

And Pierce says KGM in general has an excellent safety record.

WSDOT has begun their own investigation to make sure no state workers were drinking on the job. At this point, Pierce says, they have no reason to believe any of them were. He says when they would have 520 bridge meetings in the KGM offices, state workers never noticed anyone drinking.

The Secretary of Transportation has sent an email to all state transportation workers reminding them of Washington's strict no-alcohol policy and asking them to report any violations.

Pierce is confident in the multiple levels of quality control checks in place on the 520 project. He says drivers eventually traveling on that new bridge have no reason to be worried for their safety.

By KIM SHEPARD, 97.3 KIRO FM Reporter

Kim Shepard, KIRO Radio Reporter
Kim Shepard is a news anchor and reporter for KIRO Radio and the office optimist. She's energetic, quick to laugh and has a positive outlook on life.
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Comments (21)


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  • fourstringfuror wrote...
    Deceiving
    May 23, 2012 11:14 am
    WSDOT is embarrassed that someone exposed their subs drinking on the job, but the fact is they still work for WSDOT.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cochre wrote...
    KOMO is funny
    May 23, 2012 11:28 am
    The best part of this "investigation" is that they showed up at 3pm on a Friday. Anyone that works in the construction industry can tell you that if you're looking for the boss (as they claim) this would be the worst time to find one. They clearly picked 3pm on a Friday because they knew this would give them the best chances of catching these guys "in the act". I'm not saying drinking on the job is ok, but I'd like to see what they would have found at 11am on a Tuesday.
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  • shark75 wrote...
    This is too funny...
    May 23, 2012 11:44 am
    I bet the same morons that are defending state-run liquor stores on the other article from the mynw.com will be somehow justifying this saying stuff like “A lot of companies let their employees drink on the job…”
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    yes yes yes
    May 23, 2012 12:39 pm
    the GSA was saying the same thing, this was just the first time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    DRinking on the job
    May 23, 2012 12:55 pm
    And having a drink at the workplace after hours is another. Lets find out what happened before we get excited.I worked construction and its common to share a brew with fellow workers on the job site sometimes a little before quitting time.I would bet that some office workers have a glass of wine or a drink at lunch also
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Howdy wrote...
    Drinking on the job
    May 23, 2012 4:18 pm
    Those days are long gone. I can remember when it was almost a requirement on some sites. Many years ago I remember one guy died after they were messing around on the forklift and rolled it.

    I would bet that this is addressed in their contract, most of the ones I deal with say "no alcholholic beverages or non prescription drugs are allowed on site" or something to that effect.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    WSDOT logic -
    May 23, 2012 12:52 pm
    MEMO TO ALL PROJECT WORKERS : If you drink for 3 hours during the day shift, you must stay an extra 3 hours after quitting time. That way, you are not drinking 'on the job'. .............. PS: this extra 3 hours may be spent passed out at your desk. Unless there's a regulation about sleeping on the clock.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Weiser Postban wrote...
    Contractors get CONTRACTS
    May 23, 2012 1:13 pm
    To provide a final product. There are big penalties for NOT finishing on time or scope or costs. Why do we care what or how they do the work? If they say they'll get the job done at this price and this date. I don't care if they run around naked all day. If they get the job done the get it done. If they don't they pay though the nose. Give me a break...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Good job KOMO
    May 23, 2012 1:18 pm
    Now go after the lawyers, judges and businessmen on a three martini lunch.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    how long ago did we just read about the pre-cast floats not being strong enough
    May 23, 2012 2:38 pm
    To be lifted for transport to the construction area? I commented on that article that this is the kind of thing that can be mathematically determined and designed into the plans and clearly the design was flawed. NOW we read that the office that houses the designers promotes drinking on the job. I don't need to be a civil engineer to put two and two together.

    Every time I drive over that 520 and get another $3 sucked out of my wallet, I get to think about how that is funding that week's office beer bash for the design team.

    No matter how WADOT spins this, they have done the tax payers and bridge users a grave disservice. All it takes it is a simple design error, one bad calculation, to cause a catastrophic failure. We already have indications that this is happening. At the very least, all the plans should be audited for accuracy.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Howdy wrote...
    "Every time I drive over that 520 and get another $3 sucked out of my wallet"
    May 23, 2012 3:44 pm
    You should try crossing during happy hour.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    KOMO "Hidden cameras" caught several contracted employees working on one of the priciest transportation projects in the state drinking on the job [ on or off the clock]? . . . .
    May 23, 2012 3:46 pm
    Don't be suprise KOMO if lawyers show up on your door steps asking for the illegal tapes. Monson was forming at the mouth all during his show. Thats what it is a "Clown Show".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • worhtalook wrote...
    IF
    May 23, 2012 6:50 pm
    you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear..and at 1/2 billion dollars we should be able to sit right next to them every day if we choose to!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Listen to the morons defending this
    May 23, 2012 4:21 pm
    Who cares what time of day the employees were caught drinking? Isnt it bad enough that they caught employees returning to the office with two half racks while the crew happened to be there? Ever heard the term “where there’s smoke, there’s fire”? The mere fact that they are drinking on the premises is an outrage in itself. And what other workplace do you find beer in the lunchroom fridge. The state is taking hard-earned money from people just trying to get around their day minding their own business. Yes, when your revenue is from money confiscated from citizens, you’re danm right you should be put under a microscope.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Drool wrote...
    And what other workplace do you find beer in the lunchroom fridge.
    May 23, 2012 5:33 pm
    Quite a few actually...especially non up tight businesses.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • worhtalook wrote...
    so, the messages I am reading here
    May 23, 2012 6:49 pm
    don't havea problem with these guys drinking on the job that we taxpayersa re paying 1/2 billion dollars for? AND it si against the Law in this State so that make's it ok too? You pointed out the various other professions that "probably" have a drink at lunch on a work day,and I would also say they should lose their jobs for that too..but the guys planning every single detail of a COnstruction project where so many lives area t stake each day is a very different story and furthermore..I call Bull on the WSDOT, and their logic (?)If their reputation is so stellar and above reproach then why is this crap happening? Someone isn't overseeing this project very well, and I would also suspect this is NOT an isolated incident either. We should fire them all..send a message that we hold standards and expectations of entegrity, professionism, honesty and respect for the job they ghve been privileged to be awarded..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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