Members' Edge - April 26, 2017

Education/Training

Visit http://agchouston.org/files/15696_022317_tech_talk_1.0.pdf to view the full article online.

Are You Maximizing Productivity With Mobile Tech On Jobsites?

• This Tech Talk is perfect for people in the field!

• Hear from a panel of customers who will discuss their experience on roll-out, adoption and lessons learned.

Visit http://www.agchouston.org/Shared_Content/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=2017177&WebsiteKey=c528e6e9-a956-41d3-9bf4-82416fc10399 to view the full article online.

Safety

Visit http://www.agchouston.org/AGCH/Safety/Safety-Stand-Down/AGCH/Safety/Safety_Stand_Down.aspx?hkey=483840a0-8f8a-468a-91f6-43fd3e55b00a to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=439219&issueID=56214 to view the full article online.

AGC Houston Supports Construction Safety Network

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.

Visit http://www.csn-houston.com/ to view the full article online.

AGC News

Construction Employment Increases In 39 States Over Past 12 Months

Thirty-nine states added construction jobs between March 2016 and March 2017 while 17 states added construction jobs between February and March, according to an analysis by AGC of America. Contractors in most states remain busy for now but worry about not being able to find enough workers to complete projects in the future.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2017/04/21/construction-employment-increases-39-states-over-past-12-months-17-states-add-jobs to view the full article online.

AGC Warns Against Restricting Material Imports After Prices Surge

AGC of America says construction material costs have increased significantly, led by a 19 percent rise in steel mill products and 17 percent for copper and brass between March 2016 and March 2017. Construction companies have not been able to increase prices as quickly as costs and urges the federal government not to restrict the importation of materials.

Visit http://compactequip.com/business/construction-material-costs-march-outpace-contractor-pricing-says-agc/ to view the full article online.

AGC Of America Calls On California & Local Lawmakers To Reject Bans On Employers Working On Border Security Projects

The Associated General Contractors of America urged state and local officials in California to reject or repeal proposals to punish companies and their employees for working on border security projects on behalf of the United States government. Association officials also noted, in a letter to the state and local lawmakers, that the federal courts will strike down any such discriminatory and obstructive measures.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/State_Empl_201701_Alpha.pdf to view the full article online.

AGC Of America's Texas Builds Campaign Promotes The Commercial Construction Industry

AGC of America and its Texas chapters launched a campaign designed to highlight the many benefits of working in the construction industry. Titled Texas Builds, the campaign relies on testimonials from dozens of construction workers throughout Texas, touting the industry's commitment to safety and the many career opportunities. Help AGC promote and grow the construction industry by sharing the website and videos with colleagues, industry partners and family!

Visit https://youtu.be/9RF53L06j44 to view the full article online.

Member News

Linbeck Group, LLC Completes Evelyn's Park On Iconic Bellaire Nursery Site

Evelyn's Park opened with fanfare on Saturday, April 22, 2017 as crowds came to check out Bellaire's new green space. Families, vendors, artists and dignitaries mingled at the five-acre site on Bellaire Boulevard where Teas Nursery once stood.. Named after the late longtime Bellaire resident and philanthropist Evelyn Rubenstein, the five-acre park located at 4400 Bellaire Boulevard is now a blend of community spaces, gardens, trails and an event building and cafe.

During construction, Linbeck Group, LLC sought to develop the park’s new identity while respecting the history of the site and scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood. A house from the 1900s that was occupied by the Teas Nursery is now a cafe/restaurant, and the firm constructed a new event building and office adjacent to an event lawn.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=439234&issueID=56214 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

OSHA Pushes Back Implementation Of Silica-Exposure Rule

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."

Visit http://www.natlawreview.com/article/osha-delays-silica-rule-construction-industry to view the full article online.

OSHA's Safe And Sound Campaign Assists Employers In Keeping Workplaces Safe & Healthy

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.

Visit https://www.osha.gov/shpcampaign/?ct=t(The_Leading_Edge_03_17_17_Members_3_16_2017) to view the full article online.

How To Prepare For Construction Drone Use

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.

Visit http://www.constructiondive.com/news/5-steps-to-adding-drones-to-construction-operations/438484/ to view the full article online.

Construction Sector Adds 6,000 Jobs In March

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=439241&issueID=56214 to view the full article online.

Here's Looking at You

AGC/AIA Golf Tournament Draws A/E/C Community & Raises $25,000 For ACE Mentor

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=439476&issueID=56214 to view the full article online.

Newly-Formed Safety Alliance Promotes Fall Prevention Safety Day

AGC Houston, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Houston South and North area offices, the American Subcontractors Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, Gulf Coast Safety Institute/College of the Mainland, and the Scaffold & Access Industry Association signed a formal agreement on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 to establish the Houston Fall Prevention Alliance. Built around Houston Fall Prevention Safety Day, the alliance provided an ensemble of safety demonstrations and talks to construction industry professionals and workers.

Kim Mason, AGC Houston Director of Safety Services was on hand to sign the alliance and to represent the chapter throughout the day. Among the demonstrations, AGC Houston member Ryan Falterman, MSA Safety, brought his fall protection safety awareness truck and gave hands-on demonstrations throughout the day.

AGC Houston is calling all members to take part in the Stand-Down For Safety campaign May 8-19, 2017. This is a great way to expose construction workers to the common hazards of a jobsite, particularly related to falls. Several of our members who are safety consultants will volunteer their services to lead demonstrations with fall protection gear, ladders, and test dummies on job sites across the city. For more information, click here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=439475&issueID=56214 to view the full article online.