Members' Edge - June 7, 2017

Education/Training

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

Learn How to Enhance Project Collaboration In The Field

On Thursday, June 8, 2017, join fellow general contractors, specialty contractors, architects and engineers, and learn how to supercharge productivity with mobile technology.

Learn the benefits of technology in the field

Attend a PlanGrid Micro Training Session

Hear from a panel of customers who will discuss their experiences with roll-out, adoption, and lessons learned.

Connect the field, trailer, and office with up-to-date blueprints, markups, punch lists, RFIs, and more.

This Tech Talk is perfect for people in the field!

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.

AGC News

AGC-Texas Building Branch Scores Big And Wins On Three Major Bills

Following months of hard work, the AGC-TBB team would like to thank and congratulate the authors and sponsors of three key pieces of legislation that have survived the Texas Legislature and now await the governor's approval.

They

include: State Breach of Contract – House Bill 2121; School Background Checks – House Bill 3270; and Contractor Liability for Defects – Senate Bill 1215.

AGC-TBB staff will coordinate letters from individual AGC chapters and member companies urging Gov. Greg Abbott to sign the bills. We will need to copy Lt. Gov. Patrick, Speaker Straus, and the bill authors and
sponsors on those letters.

AGC members attending the Texas Building Branch convention June 18-21 at the
C'oeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho will be briefed about the Legislative Session and the upcoming Special Session.

Visit http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1119709320910&ca=108ecfd0-b6a8-4c6b-b0d2-aad255802889 to view the full article online.

Severe Weather Emergency Preparedness Plan Available From AGC Houston

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=445220&issueID=56217 to view the full article online.

AGC Report Indicates Troubling Rise In Work-Zone Crashes

Crashes into work-zone sites spiked 13 percent between 2016 and 2017, according to a report by the Associated General Contractors of America. AGC found that 82 percent of contractors believe that work-zone crashes pose a greater risk than a decade ago, and 25 percent of work-zone accidents cause injury to construction workers.

Visit http://www.forconstructionpros.com/asphalt/news/20863510/in-the-last-year-44-of-contractors-report-a-vehicle-has-crashed-their-workzones to view the full article online.

Construction employment Increases By 11,000 In May To Eight-Year High, But Labor Shortages Likely Limited Number Of New Jobs Added

Construction employment increased by 11,000 jobs in May to the highest level since October 2008, and average weekly hours set a series high for May as contractors struggled to find enough workers to meet demand for projects, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials urged lawmakers and other public officials to address the growing shortage of available qualified workers by funding and re-invigorating career and technical education programs.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2017/06/02/construction-employment-increases-11000-may-eight-year-high-labor-shortages-likely to view the full article online.

New ConstructorCast: "Construction's Case for Immigration Reform"

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.

Visit https://soundcloud.com/agcofamerica/immigration-reform-construction to view the full article online.

Member News

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. Breaks Ground On Phase II Of The Museum Of Fine Arts, Houston Campus

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. recently broke ground on Phase II of the campus expansion for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), one of the largest museums in the United States and the oldest art museum in Texas. Nearly 200 Houstonians attended the ground-breaking event to celebrate the start of construction for the Nancy and Rich Kinder gallery building.

"We are excited to begin work on Phase II of the expansion for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, while continuing to progress toward other construction milestones on site including the topping out of the Glassell School of Art," said Jim Stevenson, President of the Houston division. "The McCarthy construction team is proud to continue working with quality partners on this project, including Legends Project Development and architects Steven Holl and Kendall Heaton, to make the museum’s vision a reality."

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=445528&issueID=56217 to view the full article online.

Rogers-O'Brien Construction Celebrates Sandcastle Victory

Congratulations to the Rogers-O'Brien Construction team, along with Philo Wiilke Partnership, TELIOS Corporation, and Industex, who partnered in the AIA Houston Sandcastle Competition to create "The Sand Element," a spin off of the movie "The Fifth Element." The team won "Best Costume" at the annual event, which was held June 3 on Galveston's East Beach. " We enjoyed getting to work with such a great team and came home with The Best Team Costume Award!" stated LaKeta Morris, Rogers-O'Brien Construction. Congratulations!

Many other AGC Houston members took part in this annual tradition. To view photos of the event, click here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=445628&issueID=56217 to view the full article online.

Gilbane Building Company Breaks Ground On New Lamar High School Building

Gilbane Building Company, along with Lamar High School officials, students, and alumni, joined the local community to kick off the official construction start of the new Lamar High School of the Houston Independent School District.

Eighty Lamar High School graduates armed with shovels lined the school’s front lawn on Thursday, March 30, 2017, eager to break ground on a new campus as they celebrated the 80th anniversary of their beloved Alma mater. Former Texas governor Mark White, Jr. was on hand to give the keynote speech at the ceremony.

Lamar is being rebuilt as part of the Houston Independent School District’s 2012 Bond Program. The new campus will support the school’s International Baccalaureate and Business Administration programs and accommodate 2,800 students.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=445635&issueID=56217 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

ICE Is Coming For Undocumented Workers – How To Prevent Corporate Frostbite

Undocumented workers and the businesses that knowingly or unknowingly employ them are coming under the microscope. President Trump has implemented two immigration bans, is challenging so-called "Sanctuary Cities" that do not help Federal immigration enforcement, has instructed government agencies to become more aggressive in enforcement of immigration laws, and is already reviewing proposals to strengthen the border wall.

How can Texas contractors offset the impact of the current labor shortage crisis, complete jobs and not run afoul of any contractual default provisions? Read more in this article penned by Michael Kelsheimer and J.P. B. Vogel of Gray Reed & McGraw, LLP as they tackle I-9 Compliance Policy issues, along with audit guidance and other key labor topics.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=445684&issueID=56217 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.

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.

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.

Wood Products Council Bringing Moisture Mgmt. & Building Enclosure Detailing Workshop To Houston

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.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/$FRA-630_Texas_Moisture_WorkshopDMail_June2017-H_Web.pdf to view the full article online.

AGC Members Invited To Be Part Of San Jacinto College's Career Fair

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=445223&issueID=56217 to view the full article online.

Effects Of New "Buy American" Executive Order On Construction Industry

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.

Visit http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/buy-american-and-hire-american-what-it-54075/ to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

AGC Members Save Money On Employee Premium Costs

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=445215&issueID=56217 to view the full article online.

AGC Of America Announces Free Online Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center

Have you explored the Construction Industry Compliance Assistance (CICA) Center yet? The AGC-supported CICA Center is a unique, free resource on environmental compliance and sustainability that is open to the entire U.S. construction industry.

Find out why 14,000 visitors access the CICA Center each month with these top five reasons to explore www.cicacenter.org.

Visit http://www.cicacenter.org/ to view the full article online.