Members' Edge - August 18, 2015

Events

August 20: Employment Practices Committee: Open To All Human Resources, Labor And Employment Specialists, Attorneys

Open To All Human Resources, Labor And Employment Specialists, Attorneys

Thursday, August 20, 2015

7:30 - 9 a.m. at AGC Houston

The committee serves as a resource for AGC Houston members on employment and other human resources issues facing contractors.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334879&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

September 2-3, 2015: Contractor's Environmental Conference

September 2-3, 2015

The Westin Crystal City

Arlington, Virginia

If you're interested in any aspect of environmental compliance or sustainability on a construction jobsite, this conference is a great opportunity for you to connect with your peers from across the country in a non-competitive environment. In addition to CWA issues, government representatives will be presenting on climate, incremental sampling, prevention through design, and green building codes.

Visit http://meetings.agc.org/cec/ to view the full article online.

October 7-9, 2015: Construction HR & Training Professionals Conference

October 7-9, 2015

St. Louis, MO

Hyatt Regency at The Arch

AGC's Construction HR and Training Professionals Conference provides two days of education and networking for HR, training and workforce development professionals in the construction industry. Click here for registration details.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334915&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

October 15: AGC Houston Topgolf Tournament

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Topgolf Houston West

1030 Memorial Brook Blvd.

Benefiting the AGC Houston Advocacy Fund

Tournament Space Is Limited. Register Here Today!

TEAM REGISTRATION - $800

Includes four players for an hour and a half of Topgolf

SPECTATOR FEE - $100

Includes food and beverages + entry to the tournament reception

Sponsorships are available. Click here for more information.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=335001&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

Education/Training

Enroll Today For The Newly Designed Lean Construction Education Program

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334882&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

Program Designed For Emerging Project Managers

New series of program specially designed for emerging project managers! This five-course program covers the essentials of project management for emerging project managers.

Project Manager Development Program

Module 1: Estimating and Job Costing - Aug. 4-5

Module 2: Contract Administration - Sept. 22-23

Module 3: Project Administration - Oct. 13-14

Module 4: Risk Management - Nov. 17-18

Module 5: Leadership - Dec. 8-9

This class develops professional estimating skills, including: an understanding of the different types of estimates; the importance of documentation and formatting; and the link between design, estimating and project costs.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1426 to view the full article online.

August 25: How Your Business Can Benefit From The Cloud

Free and open to all AGC Houston members

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

8 - 9:30 a.m.

Learn how cloud computing can help you manage your construction documents and mitigate your risks by safely archiving critical documents. You've heard the hype regarding the cloud; now learn how it can actually help improve your productivity. This free seminar is designed for general contractors, specialty contractors and suppliers who want to learn about the benefits of using the cloud in their businesses.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2014 to view the full article online.

Safety

"Water. Rest. Shade." and acclimatization are critical in preventing heat illness and fatalities

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced the launch of its annual Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. For the fourth consecutive year, OSHA's campaign aims to raise awareness and educate workers and employers about the dangers of working in hot weather and provide resources and guidance to address these hazards. Workers at particular risk are those in outdoor industries, such as agriculture, construction, landscaping and transportation.

Visit http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20140929.htm to view the full article online.

Heat Stress Places Workers At Risk For Illnesses Such As Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion Or Heat Cramps

Workers exposed to extreme heat or who work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Read more and access helpful information from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

Visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress to view the full article online.

Aug. 18-21: OSHA 511: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry

This course covers the OSHA standards, policies and procedures in general industry. Topics include scope and application of the OSHA General Industry Standards, general industry principles and special emphasis on those areas in general industry that are most hazardous.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1974 to view the full article online.

Aug. 25-27: OSHA 3015: Excavation, Trenching and Soil Mechanics

This course covers the OSHA Excavation Standards and safety and health aspects of excavation and trenching.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1975 to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

Show Your AGC Pride. Get Your Free AGC Houston Hard Hat Stickers!

AGC Houston emblem stickers available to all members! Show your AGC pride. Contact AGC Houston today at (713) 843-3700 and get hard hat stickers while they last. They're free for members! Got the AGC logo on a jobsite banner? Send us a photo and we'll share it in Member's Edge and on our Facebook page!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334112&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

CompGroup AGC Has Received $58 Million In Dividends. Have You Received Yours?

Dividends for Houston Chapter Members total more than $6.8M!

• Texas AGC Members who are actively enrolled in the CompGroup AGC Safety Group and had a loss ratio under 60%.

• Benefit from financial strength and superior loss-control program.

• Managed by a board composed of CompGroup AGC members—Texas-based general contractors and subcontractors—it is a TDI-approved workers compensation purchasing group.

Visit http://agchouston.org/files/13796_compgroup_discount_program.pdf to view the full article online.

Save Up to 80% Off Office Supplies At Office Depot and OfficeMax

Office Depot and OfficeMax are now ONE company! AGC Members can save up to 80% on over 93,000 products. Great for all of your printing, cleaning and office supply needs. Shop online or in any Office Depot or OfficeMax store.

Enjoy FREE next-day delivery on online orders over $50! Click here to shop online or print off a FREE Store Purchasing Card.

Visit https://www.agc.org/office-depot-discount#sthash.Eg4ikl2q.dpuf to view the full article online.

Better Benefits With AGC's Private Insurance Exchange – Get A Quote!

The AGC Alternative can help your company build a better benefits package—one that benefits you and your employees. Take control of rising health care costs with a defined contribution strategy and give employees more choice and flexibility. To learn more or request a quote, visit www.agc.org/exchange or call 1-800-210-5290.

Visit http://alternative.agc.org/value-added to view the full article online.

AGC News

OSHA Issues Proposed Rulemaking Clarifying Obligation To Maintain Accurate Work-related Injury Records

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that clarifies an employer’s continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate record of each recordable injury and illness throughout the five-year period during which the employer is required to keep the records.

"Accurate records are not simply paperwork, but have an important, in fact life-saving purpose," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "They will enable employers, employees, researchers and the government to identify and eliminate the most serious workplace hazards—ones that have already caused injuries and illnesses to occur."

Visit http://www.regulations.gov/#!home to view the full article online.

Construction Unemployment Falls to 14-Year Low As Employment Hits Highest Mark Since 2009

"It is encouraging to see construction employment rising again, but the industry could hire many more workers if they were available," said Ken Simonson, Associated General Contractors of America's chief economist. Construction employment totaled 6,383,000 in July, the most since February 2009, but the total rose by only 6,000 in July and by an average of only 7,200 per month over the past five months, Simonson noted.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2015/08/07/construction-unemployment-falls-14-year-low-employment-hits-highest-mark-2009-data to view the full article online.

Texas Constructor Highlights AGC Houston Safety Stand-Down Participants

The July issue of Texas Constructor featured a double-page spread about AGC Houston's involvement in the Safety Stand-Down, highlighting several member companies that included Anslow Bryant Construction, Inc.; TAS Commercial Concrete Construction; MSA Safety; Compliance Safety Consulting; HP Safety Consulting; Lonquist Risk Management Services; W.S. Bellows Construction Corp.; SpawGlass Construction Corp.; and AGC Houston's Safety Director Kim Mason.

The positive news story reported on the more that 85 AGC Houston member companies that took part in the Safety Stand-Down May 5-15, 2015.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/TX_Contractor_July_2015_Safety_Stand-Downrev_4.pdf to view the full article online.

If It's Environment And Construction, It's At AGC's 2015 CEC

Plan to join your peers at AGC's 2015 Contractors Environmental Conference on September 2-3 in Arlington, Virginia, to explore ways to turn environmental responsibilities into successes for you and your firm.

• Next Generation of Compliance and Reporting Environmental Violations

• Stormwater: Self-Inspections and Documentation, Work in Sensitive Areas

• Factoring Endangered Species Into Your Project

• What GCs Need to Know about Asbestos, Lead and PCBs

Visit http://meetings.agc.org/cec/ to view the full article online.

iSqFt and CMD Announce Agreement to Merge

iSqFt and CMD Group announced the companies have merged. CMD is one of the leading providers of construction information in North America. iSqFt provides the commercial construction industry a leading software-as-a-service solution in addition to bid information both powered by a vast network of construction professionals across the United States. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334916&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

Member News

Tellepsen Celebrates Topping Out Of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodland

Texas Children’s Hospital and Tellepsen Builders celebrated the topping out of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands with members of the community on Friday, August 14. To commemorate this exciting construction milestone, a Promise Campaign Tree filled with meaningful commitments from Texas Children’s employees to current and future patients of the hospital was hoisted. Following a week-long display on the rooftop, the tree will be planted in front of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands in order to continue to grow with the hospital. Slated to open in 2017, the 548,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is being designed specifically to serve children and will be the only dedicated pediatric hospital in north Houston.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=335082&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

AGC & W.S. Bellows Say Farewell To Norman McCleod

It is with great sadness that AGC Houston learned of the passing of Norman McLeod on August 15 in Houston. McLeod began his career in the commercial construction industry when he joined W.S. Bellows Construction Corp. in 1956 as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He continued after retirement as an advisor to the Board of Directors. Active in the Associated General Contractors Association at all levels—national (Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee), state (Chairman Insurance Committee) and local (Trustee Laborers Health & Welfare Fund, Training Fund, Teamsters Health, Welfare and Pension Fund). McLeod attended Texas Christian University of Ft. Worth, Texas, and graduated from Tulane University, New Orleans, in 1949 with a BBA. He was a certified public accountant in Louisiana and Texas.

He was a former deacon at St. Charles Ave Christian Church in New Orleans, Louisiana and in Houston a former deacon at Bethany Christian Church, Spring Branch Christian Church and Fair Haven Methodist Church. McLeod served during WWII in the U.S. Merchant Marine, Purser, Lt. (jg).

Visitation with family and friends will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, from 10 a.m. to noon, and the funeral service will be held at noon at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, with a private burial service. A reception will be hosted at Brookdale Memorial City, 11900 Barryknoll Ln, Houston, TX 77024 immediately following the services.

Visit http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=Norman-McLeod&pid=175523230 to view the full article online.

Got News? Send Us Your Press Releases And Photos

Contact Catherine Bezman with your information and photos.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334121&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

News You Can Use

Reducing The Risks Commonly Associated With Employer Mistakes

Every business, large or small, has employment practices liability exposures. Here are 10 common employer mistakes that, when addressed, can help reduce your risk. Read Tony Stergio, Andrews Myers, PC and Employee Practices Committee member's article here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334926&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

Harris County Commissioners Court Approves $848 Million Bond Proposal For Nov. 3 Ballot

Harris County Commissioners Court voted to place an $848 million bond referendum on the ballot for the upcoming Nov. 3 election, which includes $700 million for road improvement projects.

"It’s important to note [in] the world we live in right now, there are a lot of people who see bond and think, ‘Oh, this is a terrible thing. It’s more debt,’" County Judge Ed Emmett said. "When you consider Harris County has more people than 24 states, a bond of this magnitude really isn’t that big. When you realize the fast growth that’s going on in the county and the necessity to go out and actually do these things in anticipation of further growth, the bond just allows us to do that."

Visit http://communityimpact.com/2015/08/03/harris-county-commissioners-court-approves-848-million-bond-proposal-for-nov-3-ballot-katy/ to view the full article online.

Houston Activates Heat Emergency Plan - Houstonians Urged To Protect Themselves Against Heat-Related Illnesses

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) urges everyone to take precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illness and death. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat advisory for the Houston region.

The City of Houston has activated its Heat Emergency Plan. Houston activates the plan when the heat index, a computation of air temperature and humidity, reaches 108 on two consecutive days.

Visit http://www.houstontx.gov/health/NewsReleases/heatplan.html to view the full article online.

OSHA Pushes To Remove Statute Of Limitations For Injury Record Requirements

OSHA has proposed a rule that would require employers to "make and maintain an accurate record of an injury or illness" with no regard to the established six-month statute of limitations for enforcement. The proposed rule would require employers to keep "records for the year in which the injury or illness occurred" and notes that the duty "does not expire if the employer fails to create the necessary records when first required to do so."

Visit http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/gSlrCnzwssCPomeTCidWrnBWcNkHmH?format=standard to view the full article online.

Sam Houston State University Invites Companies To The Agricultural Science/Engineering Technology Career Fair

The Sam Houston State University, Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology, Engineering Technology Program will have a career fair Thursday September 24, 2015. This career fair is intended to introduce the students to potential occupational offerings and to introduce prospective employers to students of this program.

The Engineering Technology Program offers degrees in the fields of construction management, design & development, electronics, and safety management.

AGC Houston members interested in participating should contact Keith Coogler at (936) 294-1203 or via email at kcoogler@shsu.edu.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=334917&issueID=40178 to view the full article online.

Willis Group & Towers Watson To Merge In $8.7 Billion Deal

Willis Group Holdings PLC, the third-largest insurance broker, agreed to merge with Towers Watson & Co. to add consulting operations and help take on larger U.S. rivals.

Shareholders of the broker will own 50.1 percent of the combined company, which will be domiciled in Ireland, lowering taxes for U.S.-based Towers Watson.

Visit http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-30/willis-group-and-towers-watson-agree-to-18-billion-merger to view the full article online.