Members' Edge - January 4, 2018

AGC News

Don't Miss The Deadline To Apply For An AGC Houston Scholarship!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=479814&issueID=56231 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=479815&issueID=56231 to view the full article online.

75% Of Construction Firms Plan To Expand Their Payrolls In 2018

According to survey results released January 3, 2018 by AGC of America of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate, 75 percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2018 as contractors are optimistic that economic conditions will remain strong as tax rates and regulatory burdens fall. Despite the general optimism outlined in Expecting Growth to Continue: The 2018 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, many firms report they remain worried about workforce shortages and infrastructure funding.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/01/03/seventy-five-percent-construction-firms-plan-expand-headcount-2018-contractors-are-0 to view the full article online.

Streamlining Environmental Permitting in Construction

For this month’s episode of the ConstructorCast, AGC of America sat down with Leah Pilconis, AGC’s Senior Counsel of Environmental Law, to talk about the complex world of environmental permitting and what AGC is doing to try to make it easier for construction companies. The discussion examines the breadth of requirements, the opportunities to streamline regulations and make environmental protection more efficient, and where environmental regulations might be headed in the coming years.

Search for the ConstructorCast in your podcasts app to subscribe.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=479817&issueID=56231 to view the full article online.

Use The AGC-Supported CICA Center To Meet All Of Your Environmental Services Needs

Have you explored the Construction Industry Compliance Assistance (CICA) Center yet? The AGC-supported CICA Center is a free online resource on environmental compliance and sustainability that is open to the entire U.S. construction industry. The Center is an online clearinghouse of resources on the top rules you will need to keep track of during your construction projects.

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

News you can Use

U.S. Court Of Appeals Rejects 'All Of Industry's Challenges' To Silica Rule

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District Columbia rejected challenges to OSHA's 2016 silica rule made by industry groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. A spokesperson for the U.S. Chamber said the chamber still is reviewing the decision, "but we continue to believe that OSHA lacks substantial evidence to support its rule." In 2016, OSHA published a final rule regulating workplace exposure to silica, Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (29 CFR 1910, 1915 and 1926). Read the full article here.

Read "D.C. Circuit Rejects All Industry Challenges to OSHA’s New Silica Standards" here.

AGC Houston Silica Task force members spent more than a year clarifying the hard questions that aren't specifically addressed in the silica standard for construction. View more information and resources here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=480040&issueID=56231 to view the full article online.

NextOp Bring Veterans Into Construction Industry Workforce

Looking to enhance your workforce?

NextOp is hosting a luncheon on February 8, 2018 to showcase how companies can get connected with prescreened, qualified veterans who are looking to enter the workforce in construction.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/AGC_IT_W4L_Luncheon_2018_Flyer_(CP).pdf to view the full article online.

Republicans Reach Agreement On A Final Tax Reform Bill

On December 13, 2017, the House and Senate Republican conferees for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, reached an agreement to resolve the differences between the two versions of the tax reform legislation. AGC of America sent a letter to the House and Senate negotiators outlining the construction industry's priorities for the conference committee. AGC also worked with Senator Inhofe (R-Okla.) to ensure that trusts could access the pass-through business deduction, which was initially excluded in the Senate legislation. Based on comments made by multiple Senators, this effort is believed to be successful.

Visit http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/agcleg/issues/2017-12-14.html#0 to view the full article online.

Construction Employers Add 24,000 Jobs In November and 184,000 Over the Year

AGC Of America released the following metrics in the construction industry employment and unemployment rates:

Construction employment increased by 24,000 jobs in November to the highest level since November 2008, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials said that tight margins are keeping firms from paying even more to attract hard-to-find workers, noting that efforts to cut tax rates should help lead to higher average hourly earnings for the sector."

Construction employment totaled 6,955,000 in November, a gain of 24,000 for the month and 184,000, or 2.7 percent, over 12 months.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2017/12/08/construction-employers-add-24000-jobs-november-and-184000-over-year-hourly-earning-0 to view the full article online.

Polystyrene Concrete Blocks Offer Lightweight Alternative To Traditional Concrete

The blocks are lighter than traditional concrete and, as such, can reduce required labor for constructing masonry walls while increasing the speed at which they're built. Uses include as an insulation system for new and existing buildings or as a construction material

Visit https://www.constructiondive.com/news/polystyrene-concrete-blocks-offer-lightweight-alternative-to-traditional-co/513452/?platform=hootsuite to view the full article online.

Microsoft Targeting Construction Trades With New Mixed Reality Hard Hat Accessory

Microsoft recently announced that a HoloLens hard hat accessory is in the works and will be released early 2018. In addition to the accessory, the HoloLens has also passed some important safety and durability tests. These tests have recently confirmed that the headset meets the requirements of ANSI Z87.1, which allows them to be used as safety glasses, and it has also been rated IP50 for dust protection.

Visit https://www.constructionjunkie.com/blog/2017/12/17/microsoft-targeting-construction-trades-with-new-mixed-reality-hard-hat-accessory to view the full article online.

Here's Looking at You

AGC Houston Leaders Celebrate Holiday Season

The mood was festive and filled with holiday cheer on Monday, December 4, 2017 at The Houstonian’s historic Manor House, which served as a backdrop for AGC Houston leaders to celebrate the year’s achievements.

Current Board of Directors members as well as other AGC leaders representing various committees celebrated the year’s milestones and the start of the holiday season. The event also served to recognize Don Jones, W.S. Bellows Construction Corp. as a new Honorary Life Member. Jones will be officially recognized February 1, 2018 at the AGC Houston Annual Chapter Business Meeting.

Annual Chapter Business Meeting registration and sponsorship details here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=479819&issueID=56231 to view the full article online.