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Education/Training
Technology Solutions
for Leveraging BIM Data
NEW DATE! September 21, 2017 7:30-10 a.m. For the first time, AGC Houston is excited to bring this presentation that will showcase how you can leverage the BIM data for preconstruction and construction workflow. You will learn how to condition a model with information outside of the design model so that it can be organized for estimation purposes. "Historically, only a few subcontractors, if any, have had access to the 3D models in the bid stage. Our goal is to make BIM and 3D-related information widely accessible across project teams to more efficiently and accurately communicate scope." said Howard Davis, CEO, Assemble Systems.
September 19: LEAN UNIT 5: Lean Supply Chain and Assembly September 19-20: Project Manager Development Program: Module 2 September 21: Tech Talk 1.2: Technology Solutions for Leveraging BIM Data September 26: LEAN UNIT 6: Lean Design and Pre-Construction October 3-4: Project Manager Development Program: Module 3 Safety
September 11-14: OSHA 2015: Hazardous Materials September 11-14: OSHA 2045: Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards September 12: Silica In Construction - Implementing & Managing Program September 13: Silica In Construction - Implementing & Managing Program September 14-October 10: OSHA 30-Hour September 20: Silica In Construction - Implementing & Managing Program September 21: Silica In Construction - Implementing & Managing Program September 26-28: OSHA 3115: Fall Protection September 29: AGC Houston Safety Committee Meeting To download a registration form for all classes, click HERE.
AGC News
As lawmakers head home for the year, AGC Texas Building Branch would like to extend its immense gratitude for Senate and House members that have helped advance our causes in the Texas commercial construction industry. Despite the often contentious nature of the Texas Capitol, these lawmakers have remained true to their goals and have effectively collaborated with AGC-TBB on a number of issues this year and in years past.
Read more about this, the overhaul of school funding, the balancing of the budget, the property tax plan for cities and more here.
In 2018, AGC of America will celebrate 100 years of serving the construction industry. While we celebrate the past and the present, we are also looking forward, hoping to address the issues currently affecting the industry to ensure a bright future for construction. In this spirit, AGC is introducing the Innovation Award to provide incentive to encourage free thinkers within the field to provide pioneering solutions to a challenge faced daily by its members.
Explore management solutions, tools and technology, and best practices at AGC's 2017 Construction Environmental Conference. The 2017 CEC will also deliver current information you have come to expect on a wide range of environmental compliance topics, sustainability, and green infrastructure.
Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said many states were struggling financially. Illinois, for example, briefly suspended work on 900 projects in early July during a standoff over the state's budget.
'It's always easier to defer new construction than to stop paying people who are on the payroll or the welfare rolls," he said. "A lot of states are under real stress."
Hurricane Harvey Related News
In the aftermath of the hurricane, many AGC Chapter Executives across the country reached out to AGC Texas chapters, expressing their concerns and support. AGC Houston wanted to share some of their remarks. To read them, click here.
The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed $7.9-billion in Hurricane Harvey disaster relief package, as warring Republicans and Democrats united behind help for victims of that storm as an ever more powerful new hurricane bore down on Florida. In a separate, but related, action, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation is providing $25 million to Texas for emergency road and bridge repairs in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Read further.
AGC Houston member Adams Insurance Service, Inc., shares important information for anyone whose property has gone through a flood. Read article here.
Attorney General Ken Paxton today encouraged Texans who want to donate to the victims of Hurricane Harvey to give both generously and carefully. He also shared the following tips to guard against fake charities and other donation scams:
• Be cautious of requests for donations by unfamiliar organizations or people, especially anyone calling and asking for donations by credit card or requesting personal information.
• Don’t fall for high-pressure tactics and demands for an immediate donation. A legitimate charity welcomes background checks on their operations.
• Avoid charities or fundraisers that refuse to provide detailed information about their identity, mission, costs or how your donation will be used.
If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a fraudulent charity or donation scam, file a complaint online with the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s office at https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/apps/charitable-trusts-complaint-form/.
 According to a preliminary analysis by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, at least 156,000 properties may have been affected by the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey. At least 68,000 are located in Harris County. FEMA’s damage modeling is based on parcel data and coastal and river flood gauge levels.
As the nation’s fourth largest city, all eyes were on Houston as it absorbed approximately 1 trillion gallons of rain water, making it the wettest storm on record. "It is a testament to the culture of our hometown and the leadership that supports and nurtures that culture," states Leo Linbeck, III, CEO of Aquinas Companies, and Executive Chairman of Linbeck Group, LLC.
Events
 Due to the greater Houston area flooding, the AGC Tech Conference scheduled for Friday, September 8, 2017 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Take advantage of this postponement and be part of the only tech conference designed for the Houston Commercial Construction industry! Contact Charlene Anthony for Exhibitor, Sponsorship and Attendee information.
Visit www.agctechconference.com
Message from the President/CEO
Dear AGC Houston family,
The damage that the storm and flooding caused is unprecedented, to say the least. However, Houston has faced severe weather-related disasters in the past and we have always joined together as an industry and community to rebuild our city and our lives. Many of us offered help in the immediate days following the storm: whether through lending a helping hand, rescuing the stranded, or offering support to those in the disaster-stricken areas. It is humbling to see so many acts of kindness and the spirit of Houston serving as a model for other cities. This week, AGC of America set up a call for funds through its AGC Charities, Inc., which will be dispersed to AGC chapter members directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We encourage all members to donate to the AGC Charities, Inc. to aid with disaster relief. Soon, we will be receiving and distributing instructions on how individuals can apply for financial assistance. In the interim, we have compiled useful resources for dealing with this disaster along with ways to help. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected in Texas and along the Gulf Coast. Jerry Nevlud News you can Use
Many of the region’s top contractors report a slower start to 2017 across Texas and Louisiana. While industry leaders remain optimistic and firms are completing plenty of projects, some market sectors lag their performance of past years, especially oil and gas. Shifts in the marketplace mean that contractors must remain nimble, diverse and adaptive to stay competitive.
Anyone using the current OSHA Heat Safety Tool is encouraged to download the new OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool available through September 30, 2017.
Membership Benefits
Join the largest 401(k) plan in the nation with over 90 companies and $260 million in assets • Receive benefits the Department of Labor only allows to Multiple
Employer Plans • Remove liability as trustee, plan administrator and named fiduciary
• No individual company audit regardless of size
• No individual company 5500 For more information, please contact:
Stephen Ellsworth, Robert Brann or Ginger Gray of Baird at (888) 792-7650 or mep@rwbaird.com Resources
IRS Provides Help For Hurricane Harvey Victims
The Internal Revenue Service is providing help to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Special tax relief and assistance is available to taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas.
IR-2017-143, IRS Provides Special Relief to Encourage Leave-Based Donation Programs for Victims of Hurricane Harvey
IR-2017-142, Update: IRS Waives Diesel Fuel Penalty for All of Texas Due to Hurricane Harvey
IR-2017-141, IRS Provides Penalty Relief for Partnerships that Filed Late Returns in 2017
IR-2017-139, IRS Waives Diesel Fuel Penalty Due to Hurricane Harvey
IR-2017-138, Retirement Plans Can Make Loans, Hardship Distributions to Victims of Hurricane Harvey Local Disaster Recovery Centers Provide FEMA And Other Assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has set up four disaster recovery centers in Texas that include Houston, Columbus, LaGrange and Edna. In Houston, the DRC is at George R Brown Convention Center It is located inside GRB closest to Rock Street and is open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Please note that individuals can apply for assistance online at Apply Online for FEMA Assistance or Apply/Check your status by phone 1-800-621-3362. The assistance application and additional information is also available in Spanish.
Additional Disaster Assistance Program Information
FEMA has published a document that contains a list of available disaster assistance programs and the agencies/organizations that administer assistance. Click here for information.
How To Help
Be sure to research a charity before you donate money by using Charity Navigator at www.charitynavigator.org and the resources provided by the Office of the Texas Attorney General at https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/disaster-scams. Below are just a few of area charities helping victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Here's Looking at You
It's taken more than one year to produce but the AGC Houston Guide to the OSHA Silica Standard is now complete and available for any company faced with implementing a silica exposure control program.
Thanks to the dedication of a small group of experienced members who've been managing crystalline silica exposure issues for years, the AGC Houston Silica Task force was created. This group went to work finding answers to the hard questions that aren't specifically addressed in the silica standard for construction. It is through their exhaustive research that we now have this tool available to share with the industry.
Our special thanks to the AGC Houston Silica Task Force:
Robert Brown,Camarata Masonry Systems. Ltd.
Terry Buza, Slack and Co. Contracting, Inc.
Grace Fox, TAS Commercial Concrete
Jesse Kulhanek, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Tommy Lee, W. S. Bellows Construction Corp.
Jay Marak, Cherry Companies
Susan Phillips, Tellepsen Builders
Kellie Vazquez, Holes Incorporated
Wendell Williams, Keystone Concrete New Members
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In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, I, and the AGC Houston staff, extend our sincere hope that you, your families, and coworkers are safe. We offer our heartfelt thanks for the calls, emails, and texts that we received during and after the storm. It was heartwarming to hear from so many of our AGC colleagues around the country. We are relieved to report that all of us returned to the office on Tuesday and are back in business!
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