Members' Edge - August 22, 2019

AGC News

Learn all about some of the most significant technological innovations, including robotics and blockchain, changing the construction industry: ConstructorCast – Technology Changing the Construction Industry. The ConstructorCast is AGC of America's monthly podcast covering all the news, views and interviews relevant to your construction business.

Visit http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1119709320910&ca=e5cdc3f6-ef25-46a3-8acc-8ea1cb32464f to view the full article online.

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Construction Employment Rises By 4,000 In July, as the Sector's Unemployment Rate Increases to 3.8%

“Job gains in construction have slowed markedly in recent months but the industry is still increasing employment nearly twice as much as other employers,” said Ken Simonson, AGC of America's chief economist. “The recent slowdown in hiring and construction spending may reflect contractors’ difficulty in finding enough qualified workers, rather than a downturn in demand for projects.”

Simonson noted that the 2.8% growth in construction employment between July 2018 and July 2019 was the slowest in more than six years but that the rate remained close to double the 1.5% increase in total nonfarm payroll employment.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2019/08/02/construction-employment-rises-4000-july-and-202000-over-past-year-sector%E2%80%99s to view the full article online.

Member News

Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc., Hires New Director of Project Mgmt.

Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc. announced the addition of Richard Gann as Director of Project Management. Gann brings 27 years of civil and commercial construction management experience. His work history includes managing the production and trades on utility and earthwork projects ranging in size from $10M - $70M, constructing building pads for commercial and industrial clients, and managing the installation of storm and sanitary sewer pipe.

Prior to joining Slack & Co, Gann was general manager of Ellingson Companies CIPP/Rehab, working with industrial and commercial clients nationwide.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=576500&issueID=65343 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Requests Information on Table 1 of the Silica Standard for Construction

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requesting information and comment on Table 1 of the agency’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction. OSHA seeks information on additional engineering and work practice control methods to effectively limit exposure to silica for the equipment and tasks currently listed on Table 1.

Comments must be submitted by November 13, 2019. Read the full press release here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=576854&issueID=65343 to view the full article online.

How NEC 2020 Code Updates May Impact Your Business

The NEC 2020 code review cycle is underway. See the most significant electrical safety changes on track to pass, explore the reasoning for each update and preview future modifications that may affect you beyond 2020.

Visit https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/company/news-insights/for-safetys-sake-blog/exploring-IEEE-1584-updates.html?utm_source=smartbrief&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_campaign=es_blog&utm_content=blog13 to view the full article online.

Prequalification Platforms Draw Mixed Reactions from Contractors

New tools have made it possible for parties to more easily evaluate contractors' and subcontractors' bids, but some bidders claim that these tools are time consuming to use, lead to higher costs and can be unfair. Chris Black, director of operations at Appruv, denies that prequalification platforms are "made up entirely of algorithms," as human evaluation and flexibility have become a larger part of such systems.

Visit https://www.enr.com/articles/47326-construction-prequalification-when-project-paths-go-through-electronic-gates to view the full article online.

NAMC Celebrates Construction Workers at Minute Maid Park

The National Association of Minority Contractors is honoring Houston's construction workers and their families at their second annual "Day of the Construction Worker" on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Minute Maid Park.

The celebration will include safety, health and education exhibits along with activities and entertainment.

NAMC is looking for additional sponsors to host families at the Astros baseball game against the LA Angels, later that afternoon.

For additional details, contact info@namctexas.org; director@namctexas.org or Executive Director Abel Garcia: execufirm1@yahoo.com

Visit https://namctexas.org/events/ to view the full article online.

Prairie View A&M to Host Construction Science Job Fair Career Event

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=576503&issueID=65343 to view the full article online.

Resources

Program Helps Employers Assess Workplace Health Hazards

Do you have concerns about jobsite safety or potential health hazards that can affect your workforce?

The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) responds to requests for evaluations of workplace health hazards and conducts free field inspections.
Check out the resources.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=576770&issueID=65343 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=576682&issueID=65343 to view the full article online.

It's Hurricane Season

Hurricanes and the effects of severe thunderstorms pose high risks to construction sites, with their incomplete structures, expensive machinery and equipment, flood-prone excavations and building materials that can quickly become projectiles in high winds.

The AGC Houston Safety Committee has prepared the "Guidelines for Creation of Emergency Preparedness Plan," a highly useful, free document. Click here to download the document and to view other resources

OSHA's Hurricane Preparedness and Response page provides information on creating evacuation plans and supply kits and reducing hazards for hurricane response and recovery work.

Visit https://agchouston.org/AGCH/Safety/AGCH/Safety/Safety.aspx?hkey=e640e59b-5458-4d3d-90a5-09b039007e51 to view the full article online.

Here's Looking at You

Students Take Part In Fall Protection Safety Demonstration

Students atending three OSHA safety classes at AGC Houston on August 15, 2019, witnessed fall protection demonstrations from United Tool and Fastener Inc., Werner Ladder Co. and Kask safety hardhats. AGC Houston Director of Safety Services Kim Mason invited the companies to conduct the demonstration for the OSHA 30-hour Construction class she is teaching over five weeks.

"When the UT Arlington OSHA Education Center instructors saw the fall protection safety rig truck in our parking lot and the harneses being hoisted, they came to my class and asked if their students could also take part in the demonstrations. The students — all construction industry professionals — really enjoyed the hands-on demonstration by United Tool, Werner and Kask hardhats," she stated.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=576498&issueID=65343 to view the full article online.

15th Annual CLC Golf Tournament Raises $10,000 for Education Scholarships

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New AGC Course In Spanish Delivers Rigging Safety For Construction

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