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Education/Training
May 25: Employment Practices HR Roundtable June 8: Tech Talk 1.1 - Taking Technology to the Jobsite (Rescheduled from May 11) July 14: CM-BIM Credentialing Exam July 18: LEAN UNIT 1: Variation in Production Systems July 25: LEAN UNIT 2: Pull in Production  Join fellow general contractors, specialty contractors, architects and engineers, and learn how to supercharge productivity with mobile technology.
Safety
May 30-June 1: OSHA 3015: Excavation, Trenching, Soil Mechanics June 1-29: OSHA 30 Hour June 6-8: OSHA 2255: Principles of Ergonomics June 8: Tech Talk 1.1 - Taking Technology to the Jobsite June 12-15: OSHA 500: Trainer Course for OSHA Standards in Construction June 12-15:OSHA 2045: Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards June 29: Midyear Safety Meeting Featuring Kris "Tanto" Paronto
AGC Houston members support this new network, which is an alliance of Houston construction companies, associations and related businesses. The Construction Safety Network meets monthly.
AGC News
Thirty-nine states added construction jobs between April 2016 and April 2017 amid growing demand for construction services, yet more than half the states lost construction jobs between March and April amid tight labor market conditions, according to an analysis by Associated General Contractors of America. "Demand for construction remains robust, so it is likely that a number of the monthly employment declines are being caused by a lack of workers instead of a lack of work," said Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the association. "If the labor market remains tight, firms may have to adjust their business practices as they shift limited personnel from one project to the next."
Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC of Amercica CEO, released the following statement in reaction to the proposed fiscal year 2018 budget released May 23 by the Trump administration:
"While it is tempting to identify specific elements of the President’s proposed budget that we like and other elements that cause us concern, the fact is members of Congress will likely continue to exercise their Constitutional responsibility to set the federal budget. Therefore it is better to see this document for what it is, a policy statement designed to provoke significant and productive debate about the best way to address the nation’s aging infrastructure while simultaneously suggesting appropriate spending priorities."
Listen to the latest ConstructorCast for an in-depth examination of immigration and what it means for the construction industry. For this episode, we sit down with Tamar Jacoby, President and CEO of ImmigrationWorks USA, and Ken Simonson, AGC's Chief Economist, for a rundown on how demographic changes and economic factors are propelling the need for reform in the U.S. and what the Trump administration and Congress can do to help the industry.
The Associated General Contractors of America believes the lack of available skilled workers was a factor in why construction employment increased by only 5,000 jobs in April. "It is time for our elected officials to start signaling to students that high-paying construction jobs should be on the menu of possible career choices," said Stephen Sandherr, AGC's CEO, who added that the "best way to send that signal is to provide the funding and flexibility to set up programs that expose more students to the opportunities that exist in construction careers."
Member News
 Members of the A/E/C Houston community headed to McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park on May 10, 2017 for a celebration honoring Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc.'s 25th anniversary. "The location of the party was appropriate as Slack & Co. was awarded the 2016 Gold APEX for Site Work & Landscaping for the new gardens and pavilion improvement project," stated Jim Slack, Jr., President of the company. The project also won a Gold APEX award for Green Space for general contractor Tellepsen. During the catered event which was held at the Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion, Jim Slack, Jr. spoke to employees, clients and vendors, extending his heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the continued success of the company. Other speakers who paid tribute to the company included Patrick J. Kiley, FMI Corp., Bo Brackendorff, EEPB, PC; Cynthia Birdwell, Andrews Myers, PC; Jeff Burnett, Marsh & McClennan Agency, LLC; Karen Kershner, Slack & Co. (Jim Slack's spouse); and Bill Scott, Linbeck Group, LLC. The 15-acre site culminates the Hermann Park Conservancy’s 20-year redevelopment of the green space and won an Urban Land Institute 2017 Development of Distinction Award. Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. also worked on the project, supplying and installing stone work for the Cherie Flores Pavilion, wall and coping on the waterfall fountains, and other pavework.Congratulations to all the Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc.'s team members on achieving this significant milestone! News you can Use
On June 23, 2017, experts in wood science and building enclosures, will be leading seminars focused on the effects of moisture on wood as a building material, as well as design considerations and best practices associated with detailing for durable wood structures. The first half of the workshop will focus on how wood is affected by moisture, how moisture travels through wood, and wood’s relationship with humidity and liquid water. The second half will highlight wood-frame assemblies for walls, low-slope roofs and balconies.
San Jacinto College, North Campus, will be hosting a Career Fair in July and is inviting interested AGC Houston members to be part of the event, which will take place at its new Center for Industrial Technology building.
Interested companies should contact:
Olga Garza, San Jacinto College, Sr. Administrative Assistant | Business &Technology Division
Direct: (281) 998-6150 x7221 or by email: Olga.Garza@sjcd.edu
President Donald Trump's "Buy American" executive order is likely to increase material costs and bring the risk of material shortages on federal projects, according to attorney Amandeep Kahlon. Such shortages could lead to an increased risk of fraud and may force contractors to alter their bidding practices, he contends.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched its Safe and Sound Campaign recently, calling on employers to review their safety and health programs to protect workers, and reduce workplace injuries and deaths.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's new rule on silica exposure will go into effect Sept. 23, instead of June 23, to give the agency time to develop "guidance materials and training for compliance officers."
Contractors must be well-acquainted with Federal Aviation Administration rules on drone use before attempting to include them in construction activities, writes Emily Peiffer. Contractors should decide who will fly the drones, develop company guidelines for their use and set up an insurance plan before moving forward, she says.
Membership Benefits
Here's Looking at You
 80 poker players brought their game at the Construction Leadership Council Texas Hold 'Em Poker fundraiser on May 11, 2017. It was a memorable evening—whether the chips were up or down! Sending out a big shout out to the University of Houston College of Technology Construction Management students who came out to volunteer for AGC Houston. A special thanks also to all of our sponsors, players and spectators and especially to the Construction Leadership Council committee members who helped to create this popular event and raise funds for the AGC Houston Scholarship Fund.
New Members
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