| September 1, 2015
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In This Issue |
Events
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Education/
Training
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Safety
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New Members
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Membership Benefits
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AGC News
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Member News
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Here's Looking At You
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News You Can Use
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 Quick Links |
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Events |
September 2-3, 2015
The Westin Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia
If you're interested in any aspect of environmental compliance or sustainability on a construction jobsite, this conference is a great opportunity for you to connect with your peers from across the country in a non-competitive environment. In addition to CWA issues, government representatives will be presenting on climate, incremental sampling, prevention through design and green building codes.
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In observance of Labor Day, the AGC Houston office will close on Friday, September 4 at 3:00 p.m. and reopen Tuesday, September 8:00 a.m.
Did you know? In response to support for a national holiday, Sen. James Henderson Kyle of South Dakota introduced a bill to make Labor Day a legal holiday on the first Monday of September each year. It was approved June 28, 1894. Interested in finding out the history of Labor Day, click on the link below.
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AGC Southwest Chapters 401(k) Plan 2015 Education Series
September 15, 2015
6 - 7:15 p.m. at AGC Houston
Are you participating in the AGC Southwest Chapters 401(k) plan? If so, we invite you to join us as we cover the basic benefits and features of the AGC 401(k) retirement plan. You will gain a better understanding of how your plan works, and have the opportunity to create a retirement action plan.
The financial advisors from R.W. Baird & Co. will also be there to provide one-on-one consultations for each plan participant!
Plan participants: Please pass this information on to your employees.
This event is open to all participants in the AGC Southwest Chapters 401(k) Plan. Please RSVP to Ginger Gray at (713) 296-8079 or ggray@rwbaird.com.
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October 7-9, 2015
St. Louis, MO
Hyatt Regency at The Arch
Register By September 8, 2015 & Save $100
AGC's Construction HR and Training Professionals Conference provides two days of education and networking for HR, training and workforce development professionals in the construction industry. Click here for registration details.
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Thursday, October 15, 2015
TopGolf Houston West
1030 Memorial Brook Blvd.
Benefiting the AGC Houston Advocacy Fund
Tournament Space Is Limited. Register Here Today!
TEAM REGISTRATION - $800
Includes four players for an hour and a half of TopGolf
SPECTATOR FEE - $100
Includes food and beverages + entry to the tournament reception
Sponsorships are available. Click here for more information.
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Education/Training |
To develop the tools needed to build lean, AGC has developed the Lean Construction Education Program (units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). Construction professionals at all experience levels learn the building blocks necessary to transform their projects and companies into a lean operating system.
August 26: Unit 6 - Lean Design and Pre-Construction. This half-day, instructor-led course explains the concepts of value-based management, lean in the design process and relational contracting.
September 17: Unit 7 - Problem-Solving Principles and Tools. This seven-hour, instructor-led course describes the Lean Problem Solving Process and illustrates how to use tools to solve problems in a lean manner.
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New series of program specially designed for emerging project managers! This five-course program covers the essentials of project management for emerging project managers.
Project Manager Development Program
Module 1: Estimating and Job Costing - Aug. 4-5
This class develops professional estimating skills, including: an understanding of the different types of estimates; the importance of documentation and formatting; and the link between design, estimating and project costs.
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BIM Unit 1 is designed specifically for construction professionals eager to learn the essential concepts of BIM. The full-day (8-hour) course explains the benefits of improved visualization on a construction project through the use of 3D, 4D and 5D models, establishes a knowledge base of BIM terminology and outlines case studies showing successful BIM implementation.
Note: Early bird pricing ends Thursday, September 10, 2015.
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Safety |
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced the launch of its annual Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. For the fourth consecutive year, OSHA's campaign aims to raise awareness and educate workers and employers about the dangers of working in hot weather and provide resources and guidance to address these hazards. Workers at particular risk are those in outdoor industries, such as agriculture, construction, landscaping and transportation.
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Workers exposed to extreme heat or who work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Read more and access helpful information from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
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This course is designed for individuals interested in teaching the OSHA 10- and 30-hour construction safety and health Outreach Training Program to their employees and other interested groups.
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This course covers the various types of common machinery, machine safeguards, and related OSHA regulations and procedures.
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This course covers OSHA electrical standards and the hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment. Students participate in workshops on the safe and correct use of electrical testing equipment.
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This FREE course covers OSHA requirements for maintaining and posting records of occupational injuries and illnesses, and reporting specific cases to OSHA.
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Taught for Spanish-speaking employees, this FREE course covers the role and responsibility of the employer to develop and implement an energy-control program or lock-out/tag-out while performing servicing and maintenance activities on machinery and equipment.
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This course is the update required every four years for all OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainers for the construction industry. It provides timely information on OSHA construction industry standards, policies and regulations.
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Meet the requirements of OSHA Paragraph 1926.50, which calls for a person on the jobsite to have a valid certificate in first aid training in the absence of infirmary, clinic or physician that is reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance to the worksite.
Early bird pricing ends Thursday, September 10, 2015.
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This construction 10-hour safety course covers the safety requirements as contained in 29 CFR 1926.This course is designed to provide an entry level construction workers general awareness on recognizing and preventing hazards on a construction site.
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New Members |
Reliant Safety Solutions, LLC
Paul Johnson
P.O. Box 3548
Humble, TX 77347
(281) 979-4230
Bell & McCoy Lighting & Controls
7601 N. Loop East
Houston, TX 77028
(713) 671-8000
(713) 671-8050 fax
DezTex Industrial Services, LLC
Lance Deshotel
246 Rev. Dr. Ransom Howard
Port Arthur, TX 77640
(409) 983-5555
lance.deshotel@deztex.com
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The following companies have renewed their membership. Please consider contacting them for your business needs.
Alpha Electric Company
Jimmie Stallones
P.O. Box 7492
Houston, TX 77248-7492
(713) 802-1166
jmstallones@alphaelectricco.com
Champion Rentals, Inc.
James Horsley
6903 North Shepherd
Houston, TX 77091
(713) 695-3933
jhorsley@champrentals.com
Electra Link, Inc.
Dale Pearson
21755 IH-45, Building #10
Spring, TX 77388-3621
(281) 350-6096
dpearson@electralink.com
ieSmartSystems, LLC
Douglas Colvin
15200 E. Hardy
Houston, TX 77032
(281) 447-6278
dcolvin@iesmartsystems.com
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Membership Benefits |
In September 2014, a coalition of Texas construction associations launched the statewide workforce development website, Texas Construction Careers. The mission was to "be a leader in the online environment with robust, accurate, and up-to-date data for students, schools, and the industry's human resources professionals."
Today, the website lists all of the places where craft training is being provided in the state and provides helpful information to students, teachers, and military veterans. Moreover, it maintains an excellent job bank and the number of résumés posted on the website grew 147 percent in the first year.
To celebrate its first year, AGC employers can save $50 on a 30-day online job posting with Texas Construction Careers with this special promo code: 20MEMBER. It also applies as a 20% discount on other job posting packages.
Are you among the 93 percent of Texas firms hiring? Let Texas Construction Careers help you.
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One of the great benefits of being a member of AGC is that you have the option to receive our bimonthly Constructor magazine for free. The magazine is an excellent and comprehensive source of news, best business practices, economic trends, technology and much more in the construction industry.
To sign up for your complimentary subscription, just log on to your member account, go to your personal preferences page and check the box next to Constructor. Also, make sure your mailing address is up to date so that you're sure to receive it! |
Your company can receive up to 6¢ on every gallon purchased. With special tiered rebates on purchases at BP, and a 1.5¢ rebate on all gasoline and diesel purchases at other brands, you'll save with every fill up.
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AGC members receive valuable discounts of up to 29% on select FedEx Express® and FedEx Ground® shipping services, up to 70% on FedEx Freight® shipping services.
There are no costs and no minimum shipping, copy or print requirements to take advantage of this great member benefit.
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Office Depot and OfficeMax are now ONE company! AGC Members can save up to 80% on over 93,000 products. Great for all of your printing, cleaning and office supply needs. Shop online or in any Office Depot or OfficeMax store.
Enjoy FREE next-day delivery on online orders over $50! Click here to shop online or print off a FREE Store Purchasing Card.
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AGC Houston emblem stickers available to all members! Show your AGC pride. Contact AGC Houston today at (713) 843-3700 and get hard hat stickers while they last. They're free for members! Got the AGC logo on a jobsite banner? Send us a photo and we'll share it in Member's Edge and on our Facebook page!
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AGC News |
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that clarifies an employer’s continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate record of each recordable injury and illness throughout the five-year period during which the employer is required to keep the records.
"Accurate records are not simply paperwork, but have an important, in fact life-saving purpose," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "They will enable employers, employees, researchers and the government to identify and eliminate the most serious workplace hazards—ones that have already caused injuries and illnesses to occur."
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"It is encouraging to see construction employment rising again, but the industry could hire many more workers if they were available," said Ken Simonson, Associated General Contractors of America's Chief Economist. Construction employment totaled 6,383,000 in July, the most since February 2009, but the total rose by only 6,000 in July and by an average of only 7,200 per month over the past five months, Simonson noted.
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iSqFt and CMD Group announced the companies have merged. CMD is one of the leading providers of construction information in North America. iSqFt provides the commercial construction industry a leading software-as-a-service solution in addition to bid information both powered by a vast network of construction professionals across the United States. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of our 2016 project award competitions! The Alliant Build America Awards (including the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence category) and AGC in the Community competitions are now accepting applications. AGC member companies and chapters in good standing who meet the competition requirements are encouraged to apply online for some much-deserved recognition. Apply by Friday, Oct. 30, for full consideration. Learn more about AGC of America's awards programs at www.agc.org/awards.
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Member News |
The AIA Houston Honor Awards Committee selected AGC Houston member Berger Iron Works as the recipient of the 2014 Artisan of the Year Award.
According to Joe Rigano, President, Berger Iron Works, the honor at "having been named AIA Houston’s ‘Artisan of the Year’ does not happen without the valued
relationships we have with our clients, owners, and architects. Berger Iron Works has been a member of AGC Houston since 1939 and has ‘grown up’ alongside many of the titans of our industry who have nurtured and furthered the interests of the AGC these many years."
The AIA Houston exhibit will feature project photos, shop drawings, historical documents and materials alongside model and sample work. Rigano added, "We are thankful for every opportunity given to us and are committed to the high standards to which we have always strived to attain."
AIA is hosting a reception for all award recipients Thursday, September 3, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to all interested parties. The 2015 AIA Houston Design Awards will also be on exhibit in the main gallery featuring work by PGAL, kinneymorrow Architecture, studioMET, Gensler, SMLA, Interloop-Architecture, Murphy Mears Architects, Nonya Grenader, FAIA, Curry Boudreaux Architects, Page, Kirksey, CONTENT Architecture, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, BRAVE/Architecture and Powers Brown Architecture.
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Andrews Myers is pleased to announce the
addition of Elaine Howard as
Senior Counsel in its Houston office. Howard has extensive experience
as a trial attorney with a wide range of business disputes, having successfully
represented clients in commercial litigation, real estate disputes and
employment law.
Also joining the Houston office is Scott McKaig, whose practice is devoted to commercial real estate, corporate and commercial transactions. Scott joins us from Enterprise Products Partners LP, where he worked on due diligence, quality control, metes and bounds and other fee-related issues in their Land division.
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On Monday, August 24, W.S. Bellows Construction Corp.'s Vice President of Safety Tommy Lee celebrated his 60th birthday. To mark the event, fellow colleagues presented him with an inflatable "slow and old zone" cautionary marker. In addition, the AGC Houston Safety Committee celebrated the landmark event on Friday, August 28. Lee bashfully accepted the attention, which was marked by a PowerPoint presentation.
Lee joined the Bellows team in 1981 as assistant safety director and became safety director in 1989. Tommy has led W. S. Bellows Construction Corp. in receiving the National Associated General Contractors of America Excellence in Safety Award for 2011 and 2014. In 2011, Tommy Lee received the AGC of America Chairman of the Year Award for his work on the national safety committee.
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Here's Looking At You |
On Friday, August 28, City of Houston Mayoral candidates Rep. Sylvester Turner and Bill King shared with the AGC Houston Government Affairs Committee and Board of Directors members their vision to rebuild the city and how to successfully manage its finances. Among the hot topics: minority participation requirements and the city's building permits process.
Are you registered to vote? September is Voter Registration month. Click on the link below to let us know and for your chance to win $100! Exercise your right to vote.
Congratulations to AGC Houston members Linbeck Group, LLC; Tellepsen; Trio Electric, Ltd.; and Allstate Commercial Flooring on signing the Occupational Health And Safety Administration's Strategic Partnership on Friday, August 28, 2015.These AGC Houston members join Anslow Bryant Construction, Ltd.; Brookstone, LP; W.S. Bellows Construction Corp.; SpawGlass Construction Corp.; Keystone Concrete; and TAS Commercial Concrete Construction, LLC who have also already signed OSHA partnership agreements.
Only six (6) more companies will be allowed to join the partnership.
All general contractor or subcontractor companies interested in participating in this program should contact AGC Houston Safety Director Kim Mason for an application or more details about this program.
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News You Can Use |
Walter P Moore’s Board of Directors has elected Senior Principal Lee Slade as their fourth Chairman of the Board. A 39-year veteran of the firm and a key member of the executive leadership team since 1993, Lee has been instrumental in growing and positioning Walter P Moore as one of the industry’s most respected and innovative firms.
In his new role as Chairman, Lee will work closely with new President and CEO Dilip Choudhuri to continue to expand the firm’s service offerings and geographic reach. Former Chairman and CEO Ray Messer continues to play a key role at Walter P Moore, leading the firm’s strategic initiatives in the design-build market.
Lee maintains his position as Executive Director of the firm’s largest operating group, Structures, which provides structural engineering, façade engineering, parking services, secure design, and construction engineering to clients worldwide.
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Business owners, human resources and/or payroll staff, and supervisors are invited to attend a free workshop by the Department of Labor, Houston District Office, that will provide an overview of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Topics to be discussed will include: employer coverage, minimum wage, overtime pay, overview of "white collar" exemptions,
youth employment and record-keeping requirements.
Workshop Location: 8701 S Gessner Dr., Ste. 1164, Houston, Texas 77074
Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Important! Attendance is free but
reservations are required due to limited seating. Attendance is limited to two
representatives per organization. For more information and/or to RSVP please contact Ana Arredondo or call 713-773-5359.
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Paced by continued demand for projects such as new education and healthcare facilities, public safety and government buildings, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) increased in June following fluctuations earlier this year. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the June ABI score was 55.7, up substantially from a mark of 51.9 in May. This score reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).
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The downtown post office building finally has a new owner according to the Houston Business Journal. Houston-based developer Lovett Commercial completed the purchase of the 16-acre property at 401 Franklin St. on August 13. Lovett bought the property from the U.S. Postal Service for an undisclosed price. The property, which includes a five-story office building and a two-story industrial building, is the largest single development tract in Houston’s Central Business District, according to Lovett. No design plans have yet been released.
Stephen Fox, a Houston architectural historian and fellow of the Anchorage Foundation of Texas, called the downtown post office a "distinguished work of 1960s modern architecture by an important Houston architecture firm." Wilson, Morris, Crain & Anderson designed the build, which was built in 1962. In 1984, the Franklin Street facility was renamed the Barbara Jordan Post Office after the first African American congresswoman to come from the Deep South.
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Every business, large or small, has employment practices liability exposures. Here are 10 common employer mistakes that, when addressed, can help reduce your risk. Read Tony Stergio, Andrews Myers, PC and Employee Practices Committee member's article here.
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The Sam Houston State University, Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology, Engineering Technology Program will have a career fair Thursday September 24, 2015. This career fair is intended to introduce the students to potential occupational offerings and to introduce prospective employers to students of this program.
The Engineering Technology Program offers degrees in the fields of construction management, design & development, electronics, and safety management.
AGC Houston members interested in participating should contact Keith Coogler at (936) 294-1203 or via email at kcoogler@shsu.edu.
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