Members' Edge - January 24, 2019

Education/Training

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=541680&issueID=63822 to view the full article online.

Presenters Needed For Upcoming Jobsite Innovation Forums

Have you developed an innovative means to collect, monitor and interpret data? Share your expertise, implementation successes and practical tips with your industry peers.

AGC Houston is now accepting submissions for presentations for our 2019 quarterly Jobsite
Innovation Forums. Deadline for consideration: Feb. 28.

March 21 — Data Collection
June 13 — Data Monitoring
Sept. 26 — Data Interpretation
Dec. 12 — Interactive Workshop on Data Uses in Construction

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

Safety

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=541788&issueID=63822 to view the full article online.

Check Out These Upcoming Safety Classes

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

Free AGC Webinar On OSHA's Final Rule

Feb. 27 | 1 - 2 p.m.

AGC Member Price: Free

This webinar will cover:

• Respirable Crystalline Silica's Definition and Associated Health Hazards

• Types of Required Control Measures and Respiratory Protection for Respirable Crystalline Silica and more.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=541682&issueID=63822 to view the full article online.

AGC News

AGC Releases Construction Costs Report: Labor & Materials Shortages On The List

After a year marked by numerous price spikes, construction costs declined in December but remained elevated compared to year-earlier prices, while prices of new buildings also moved higher, according to an analysis by AGC of America. The cost of many construction projects is increasing as firms cope with labor shortages and increased costs for many of the materials they need for projects.

"The price index for new building construction outpaced the input cost index at the end of the year, but many contractors were probably caught by unexpected cost increases in 2018," stated AGC of America Chief Economist, Ken Simonson.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2019/01/15/construction-costs-dip-december-most-materials-and-services-prices-accelerate-2018 to view the full article online.

Construction Employment Rises by 38,000 in December And 280,000 In 2018; Hourly Pay Jumps And Unemployment Rate Falls

Construction employment increased by 38,000 jobs in December and by 280,000 jobs, or 4.0 percent, over the past year, while the industry’s average pay accelerated and unemployment decreased to a historic low, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC Od America.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2019/01/04/construction-employment-rises-38000-december-and-280000-2018-hourly-pay-jumps-39 to view the full article online.

New EPA & Army Corps Rule Will Provide Clarity For States

A new measure announced today by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers will provide the kind of clarity needed to ensure that the waters of the U.S. continue to become even cleaner. The newly proposed clean water rule outlines clear and specific guidelines as to which sites require a federal water permit in addition to state and local water permits, and what needs to be done to protect federally permitted waters.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2018/12/11/new-epa-army-corps-rule-will-provide-clarity-needed-allow-states-keep-local-waters to view the full article online.

AGC of America 100th Annual Convention Scheduled In Denver, April 1-4

Visit https://convention.agc.org/ to view the full article online.

Member News

Pat Kiley Delivers Good News At Annual SMPS Economic Outlook Luncheon

AGC Houston was pleased to host the Society for Marketing and Professional Services – Houston Chapter’s annual economic outlook luncheon featuring Patrick J. Kiley, Kiley Literary Legacies, LLC, on January 23, 2019. Kiley delivered some good news regarding the national, state and local picture but warned that a tight labor pool coupled with two massive construction projects in Channelview and Baytown will take 10 percent of the labor force. For the first time in three years, the office market is reflecting a positive absorption and Houston is poised to absorb 71,000 new jobs this year.

A school bond backlog and expected growth of 100,000 new residents in Houston make for a positive picture. As energy continues to grow so does the expansion of the Texas Medical Center (a new 30-acre research center campus) and bio technology labs, along with Johnson and Johnson’s move here, more jobs (nearly 30,000) and associated construction projects are expected to apply pressure on the workforce.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=541992&issueID=63822 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

Employers Must Post 2018 Injury/Illness Summary Beginning Feb. 1

Employers are reminded of their obligation to post a copy of OSHA's Form 300A, which summarizes job-related injuries and illnesses logged during 2018. Each year, from Feb. 1 to April 30, the summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees and those in certain low-hazard industries are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping and posting requirements. Visit OSHA's Recordkeeping Rule webpage for more information.

Visit https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping2014/records.html to view the full article online.

OSHA Penalties Adjusting In 2019

OSHA's civil penalties amounts for violations of workplace safety and health standards will increase in 2019 to adjust for inflation. The adjusted maximum penalty amounts will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register. New penalties for willful and repeat violations will be $132,598 per violation; serious, other-than-serious, and posting requirements are $13,260 per violation; and failure to abate violations are $13,260 per day beyond the abatement date.

Visit https://www.dol.gov/asp/2019-inflation-adjustments.pdf to view the full article online.

79 Percent Of Construction Firms Plan To Expand Headcount In 2019

AGC and Sage Release New Construction Hiring & Business Forecast

Seventy-nine percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2019 but an-almost-equal percentage are worried about their ability to locate and hire qualified workers, according to survey results released by the AGC of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. The findings are detailed in Contractors Remain Confident About Demand, Worried About Labor Supply: The 2019 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Report.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2019/01/02/2019-sage-construction-hiring-and-business-outlook-survey to view the full article online.

Architecture Billings Index Positive For 15th Straight Month

Despite dropping 4.3 points, the American Institute of Architects' Architecture Billings Index stayed positive for the 15th month in a row in December. "Given the concerns over the ongoing tariff situation, it is not surprising to see a bit of a slowdown in progress on current projects," AIA chief economist Kermit Baker says.

Visit https://www.bdcnetwork.com/architecture-billings-slow-close-2018-growing-demand to view the full article online.