USMWF

Kevin, There is nothing in this life that I am more certain of than the blessing you were to my life. And no matter how difficult the pain of loosing you becomes. I will always know that every day I had with you was a gift. Your laughter ~a gift. Our arguments~ a gift. Even the millions of tears I've cried I know are a gift. Because they all revolve around you and your love There is not one day that passes that I don't wish you were here nor is there a day that I am not grateful for each moment that you gave me. A love that will last a life time along with so many wonderful memories that will give me the strength to exist without your physical presence in my life. Because your memory will live on forever in my heart Thank You My Love. Rest In Peace, ~M

Kevin Scott Noah died August 13, 2002 at approximately 9:15 am. after falling over 70 feet while completing phase 2 of Shimmick/Obayashi joint venturer of the Golden Gate Bridge's Seismic Retrofit . Immediately following the accident spokesman Scott Fairgrieve issued a statement to the press expressing both companies sympathy for the family along with a brief statement to inform the public that they were conducting their own investigation to determine what Kevin had done wrong to cause his death. Coupled with the fact's that not even 3 weeks prior to Kevin's death he had just turned down an offer to be promoted to foreman he had received due to his excellent ability to get the job done while promoting correct safety procedures. The statement made by Fairgrieve struck me as very odd. Following the accident several other statements made by Fairgrieve would fall under suspicion such as the statement that Shimmick/Ombayashi had immediately fired the man in charge of enforcing safety standards. whom would be found in less than a week’s time still working for the company carefully hidden behind a desk at the companies Hayward headquarters.. Fairgrieve had also claimed that Kevin had fallen not 70 but 50 feet from atop scaffolding. Yet there was no scaffolding present. It would take over 7 months before Mr. Fairgrieve would be caught of guard by Press Democrat Reporter Jeremy Hays admitting that The Company and OSHA had very different views of safety procedures and that there was no scaffolding at the time of the accident. Stating “Scaffolding simply wasn't warranted” Whenever a work related accident occurs involving a fatality OSHA has 6 months to conduct and complete their investigation into the accident and produce their findings. By law Shimmick/Obayashi is required to cooperate while OSHA conducts their investigation. However Shimmick/Obayashi would once again fall under suspicion when the entire crew present on the day of Kevin's accident were immediately moved to night shift. Yet their was no Night shift prior to the accident. And the night shift only lasted until OSHA had completed their investigation. The creation of a night shift made it extremely hard for OSHA to question anyone who witnessed the accident. OSHA referred to Shimmick/Obayashi's conduct during their investigation as the worst they could recall. Stating that Shimmick/Obayashi's had done everything in their power to run out the clock on OSHA investigators whom must complete and release their findings in a 6 month time frame. IE: When OSHA requested documents during the investigation they received boxes and boxes of papers from Shimmick/Obayashi marked

" KEVIN NOAH USELESS DOCUMENTS"

When OSHA requested to interview employees Shimmick/Obayashi would refuse to let anyone be questioned from outside the company’s presence forcing OSHA to have subpoenas issued individually for each employee to be questioned. Shimmick/Obayashi was almost successful in their attempt to stall the investigation. Cal-OSHA cited Shimmick/Obayashi for three serious violations and three less-than-serious violations and issued fines of $26,025 in fines for those violations and three that were classified as less serious. Cal-OSHA investigators noted there was no scaffolding in place in the area, and as a result, Noah fell to his death. Shimmick/Obayashi has filled several appeals in this case refusing to claim any accountability for their part in Kevin's death.

Kevin and I met in may of 1996 when we became neighbors. Where we would fast become Friend's, each other's biggest critics and eventually soul mates. Kevin Noah was my match. The loss of Kevin was and still is the single hardest thing in this life that I have ever had to overcome.