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Education/Training
Safety
November 14-17: OSHA 3095: Electrical Standards November 14-17: OSHA 511: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry November 28-30: OSHA 502: Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers November 28-30: OSHA 2255: Principles of Ergonomics November 30-Dec.2: OSHA 503: Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers December 1-2: OSHA 10-Hour Safety Course For Entry Level Construction Workers
The Leading Edge is a bimonthly newsletter dedicated to updating AGC Houston members about safety issues in the commercial construction industry.
AGC News
 The 2016 AGC Compensation and Benefits Survey provides accurate information on salaries and company financial data/compensation practices in the Texas commercial construction industry. Survey details include: Pay Practice & Benefits and Compensation Reports.
The 2016 survey covered the Austin, Houston, TEXO (Dallas and Fort Worth), West Texas, Central Texas and Southeast Texas chapters' contractor firms.
Private-Sector Demand Pushes Number of Unemployed Construction Workers to Lowest Level in 10 Years as Firms Boost Pay by 3.2 Percent to Attract Workers, But Firms that Rely on Public-Sector Lost Jobs This Year Construction employers added 11,000 jobs in October as employment in the sector is at the highest level since December 2008 despite declines in public sector investments in construction projects, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that average hourly earnings for construction workers increased by 3.2 percent compared to 12 months ago as firms continue to expand amid shortages of available qualified workers. "There is a two-part story in construction right now as private-sector demand continues to boost employment while declining public-sector demand is contributing to year-over-year declines in heavy and civil engineering construction," said Ken Simonson, the association's Chief Economist. "Overall construction employment would certainly be higher if local, state and federal officials were investing more to build new and repair aging infrastructure." Construction Officials Caution that Declining Public-Sector Investments in Infrastructure are Undermining Sector’s Recovery, Urge Congress to Pass Water Measure and Voters to Pass Building and Repair Measures
Construction spending remained in a yearlong holding pattern in September as declining public outlays offset strong growth in multifamily spending and several private nonresidential categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said declining investments in public infrastructure are undermining the sector’s recovery and urged Congress to act on pending water resources legislation and voters to support ballot measures designed to rebuild aging infrastructure.
Construction spending in September totaled $1.150 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, down 0.4 percent the month before and down 0.2 percent from the September 2015 level, said AGC of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson. He added that the year-to-date total for January through September 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015 remains positive, with an overall increase of 4.4 percent despite a deterioration in public spending, thanks to gains in private nonresidential and residential spending.
Events
Member News
 Rogers-O'Brien Construction and Studio RED teamed up on Saturday, November 5 for the annual Canstruction competition which benefits the Houston Food Bank. Architects, engineers, designers, contractors and students are challenged to design and build colossal sculptures using canned food as their primary building block. Tape and cardboard serve as nails and cement. The Rogers-O'Brien/Studio RED team chose to build "Gotta Feed Em All," a character from Pokémon Go. "We want Gyarados, one of the more powerful of Pokémon, to serve as a symbol for the poor and the hungry. By raising money and donating all of these cans, our hope is to evolve and transform the lives of the hungry in a similar fashion," stated LaKeta Morris, Marketing Director for Rogers-O'Brien Construction.
In 2015, Canstruction Houston Raised 118,765 Pounds of food which will provide 142,518 meals for the 2015 Holiday Season.   
AGC Houston was deeply saddened to learn of Paul Gervais Bell, Jr.’s death on Monday, October 31. Mr. Bell was a giant of a man in so many different ways during his lifetime. A quiet hero from the Greatest Generation, he believed in duty and honor. He led AGC and other organizations with a servant’s heart and was deeply respected by his peers and the community he served. AGC Houston was privileged to honor Paul Bell this past September as recipient of the 2016 Master Builder Award.
Bell served two terms as the AGC Houston Chairman of the Board from 1965 to 1967, chaired the Labor Committee and other negotiating committees, including the Employers Council of the Texas Gulf Coast.He also became a national director of AGC of America and served on its Executive Committee. He and Leo Linbeck, Jr. helped to form the AGC Texas Building Branch in 1974 to serve as a statewide voice for the Texas chapters.
He also served on the St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Board for 20 years,on the Texas Medical Center Board from 1982 through 2013 and the Thermal Energy Corporation from 1967 through 2013. To salute his role in leading the formation of TECO and for his service, its board of directors renamed the company’s central plant the Paul G. Bell, Jr. Energy Plant in 2014.
The funeral service for Mr. Bell was held on Monday, November 7 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
AGC Houston sends its deepest condolences to Mr. Bell's family, friends and associates.
News you can Use
ACE Mentor Houston is seeking construction industry professionals to mentor high school students interested in learning about the world of architecture, construction and engineering.
"If you can volunteer and help to mentor students, please let us know. The best way to get in touch is by emailing us at HoustonTX@acementor.org or visiting us on the web at www.acementor.org/houston," says Angela Cotie, Gilbane Building Company, Chairman of the Board for ACE Mentor Houston. "We really have a critical need and hope that we can make sure these students get the help and guidance they need."
In this afterschool mentoring program, student teams work directly with professionals from the A-E-C industry to design hypothetical projects, tour local construction sites and visit architectural, engineering and construction offices. The program runs from October to April and meets at one of eight locations around Houston. This year we have more students than our current mentor workload can handle. The group needs help at the following locations: Galena Park, North Belt, and Spring.
ACE not only engages sponsors and volunteer mentors to expose students to real-world opportunities, it financially supports each student's continued success through scholarships and grants. Since inception, ACE has awarded over $14 million in scholarships to promising participants.Please contact ACE Mentor today!
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Houston North Area Office office recently released its "Houston Fatalities and Catastrophes" report, which documents fatalities and catastrophes in the greater Houston ares from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2016.
The report cites both construction and general industry incidents.
Thousands have died in car crashes involving cell phone use. New technology allows us to make phone calls, dictate texts or emails and update social media while driving—all actions that are proven to increase crash risk.There is no safe way to use a cell phone while driving—even hands free. Distracted driving takes many forms, but cell phone use is at the top. Research shows the brain remains distracted for 27 seconds after dialing, changing music or sending a text using voice commands.
The National Safety Council has created a website filled with resources to save lives and address the epidemic.
Owners, healthcare providers and the A/E/C industry are coming together on November 12-15, 2016 at the George R. Brown Convention Center for the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference.
AGC Houston members are invited to join the Houston Revit Users group, which meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Revit and BIM application users range from beginner to expert skill levels. Since 2002, the Houston Area Revit Users Group (HARUG) has been the main resource in the area for Revit Users, AutoCAD Architecture (previously Architectural Desktop), AutoCAD and other BIM-related tools.
Membership Benefits
 Nominations can be based on either a daily commitment to excellence or outstanding personal effort on a special project or event in the workplace. Submittals due by January 31, 2017.  A "Bona Fide" Association Medical Plan
+ Savings from 20 to 30 percent on employee benefit premium costs
+ Significant reduction in administrative duties
+ Complies with ACA requirements
+ Limited fiduciary liability
Contact Brian Stevenson for qualification criteria and for more information: (281) 752-9303 or by email at bcstevenson@onedigital.com
 
The program, which supports state and local AGC chapters, provides:
Call today: 1.855.350.8656 or complete our easy-to-use online form at reliant.com/agc.
Here's Looking at You
 On November 3, 2016, AGC Houston members packed Crisp bistro in The Heights for the last mixer of the year. Attendees included numerous AGC Houston committee members, Leadership AGC Class of 2017 participants and our next Chairman, James Bryant, Anslow Bryant Construction, Ltd. Congratulations to Katie Brannon, Oxford Builders, Inc., who won an iPad Mini! We've got great sponsorship opportunities for next year's mixers! Please contact AGC Houston at (713) 843-3700 for details. Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting our Happy Hour Mixer. Save the Date for our next mixer: February 2, 2017.
New Members
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