Members' Edge - April 19, 2016

Events

Get Involved With AGC Houston in 2016!

We're bringing people together to advance the issues important to the commercial construction industry.

April 21 - Employment Practices Committee Meeting

April 25 - AGC/AIA Golf Tournament

May 5 - Member Mixer

May 12 - Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament

May 19 - Member Orientation

June 12-15 - TBB Convention

Visit http://agchouston.org/pages/calendar_901.asp to view the full article online.

April 21: Employment Practices Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 21, 2016

7:30 a. m. - 9 a.m.

AGC Houston

The Employment Practices Committee specializes in issues facing human resource professionals, labor and employment
attorneys, and anyone dealing with the Department
of Labor.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2099 to view the full article online.

April 25: AGC/AIA Golf Tournament

Monday, April 25, 2016

Champions Golf Club

11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Save the date! A tradition for 21 years, this tournament brings owners, architects and the construction industry on the green at the private Champion's Golf Club. Tournament benefits the ACE Mentor Houston Program.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/assets/agc_aia%20golf_2016_registration.pdf to view the full article online.

May 5: May Member Mixer

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Crisp In The Heights

4:30 - 6 p.m.

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo and join us for our second members-only network mixer of the year!

This popular event draws a large crowd of commercial construction industry professionals. Early bird pricing ends April 21, 2016. Sponsorship available! Contact Shannon Giordano for details.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2137 to view the full article online.

May 12: 2016 Construction Leadership Council Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament

Thursday, May 12, 2016

AGC Houston

5 - 10 p.m.

There's plenty of action in this game! Open to all AGC Houston members. Spectators and sponsors welcome.

Benefiting the AGC Houston Scholarship Program. Please contact Charlene Anthony for more information.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1795 to view the full article online.

May 19: Member Orientation

Thursday, May 19, 2016

AGC Houston

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Please join us for this FREE information-packed luncheon! You’ll hear from AGC Houston staff, active members and company representatives about the many benefits of AGC Houston.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2159 to view the full article online.

39th Annual AGC Texas Building Branch Convention

June 12-15, 2016

Horsehoe Bay Resort - Texas Hill Country

Don't miss this annual event, which includes educational meetings, a golf tournament on Apple Rock Golf Course at

Horseshoe Bay Resort, safety awards and Outstanding Construction Awards to AGC chapter members.

Download registration form here.

Visit http://www.agctbb.org/#!agc-tbb-convention/cken to view the full article online.

Safety

April 19-22: OSHA 510: Occupational Safety & Health Standards For The Construction Industry

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2078 to view the full article online.

April 19-22: ETI 101: Intro to Environmental Compliance

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2077 to view the full article online.

April 25: OSHA 7525 - Introduction to Accident Incident Investigation

In honor of Workers' Memorial Day, Region VI OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington is offering this course FREE.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2141 to view the full article online.

April 25: OSHA 7300 - Understanding OSHA's Permit-Required Confined Space Standard

In honor of Workers' Memorial Day, Region VI OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington is offering this course FREE.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2140 to view the full article online.

April 26-29: OSHA 500: Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2109 to view the full article online.

April 25-29: OSHA 5410: Occupational Safety And Health Standards For The Maritime Industry

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=2079 to view the full article online.

Friday, April 29: Safety Committee Meeting

Friday, April 29, 2016

Tellepsen - 777 Benmar Dr.

6:30 - 7:15 a.m. - subcomittee meeting

7:15 - 8:30 a.m. - open committee meeting

The Safety Committee meeting is open to all AGC Houston members interested in safety and health matters. Please contact Kim Mason for more details.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=372842&issueID=44509 to view the full article online.

Safety Stand-Down Set For May 2-13

Save the date: The annual construction industry Safety Stand-Down, focusing on fall protection, occurs May 2-13, 2016. There are numerous resources available to plan a toolbox talk, safety activity and training for workers. Numerous free materials and resources are available from OSHA (available in several languages) at www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

AGC Houston Safety Consultants Offer Free Safety Demonstrations

Would you like to have an AGC Houston member company come to your jobsite and hold a Safety Stand-Down demonstration? Click here for details.

Visit http://agchouston.org/pages/2016_safety_stand_down_1801.asp to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

AGC Southwest Chapters 401(k) Plan Reaches $185 Million In Assets And Reduces Costs

AGC Houston and Louisiana AGC are pleased to announce that the joint chapters' sponsored 401(k) plan—representing 80 companies—has reached $185 million in assets.

In addition, the overall cost of the plan has been reduced significantly by an average of 10 percent as of April 15, 2016. All of the savings are being passed on to the employees in the plan.

"One of the reasons our plan is so successful is the expertise and hard work the AGC Southwest Chapters 401(k) Plan committee provides. With five CFOs, an HR manager and legal counsel, the committee provides unparalleled oversight and guidance," stated AGC Houston President/CEO Jerry Nevlud.

To learn more, please contact Steve Ellsworth, QPFC or Robert Brann, QPFC, R.W. Baird & Co.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=372868&issueID=44509 to view the full article online.

$500 Or Up To $1,000 Toward The Purchase Or Lease Of Select GM Vehicles To AGC Members

Offer Details For AGC Members & Employees

Purchase or lease an eligible 2015 or 2016 Buick, Chevrolet, or GMC passenger car, light-duty truck, van, or SUV.

Available during the program period October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.

Visit General Motors for vehicle details.

Visit www.agc.org/member-benefits/gm-discount#sthash.x3ZhWAOk.dpuf to view the full article online.

Texas Construction Careers Is Your Premier Resource For Construction Employment

Job seekers can post their résumés at no cost, and employers can post job ads at affordable rates. AGC members enjoy 50 percent discounts on job postings through May 31!

• Single 30-day Online Job Posting Package: $250 to $125

• Three 30-day Online Job Posting Package: $675 to $337.50

• Five 30-day Online Job Posting Package: $995 to $497.50

• Ten 30-day Online Job Posting Package: $1,895 to $947.50

Visit http://www.texasconstructioncareers.com/ to view the full article online.

AGC News

IRS Alerts Payroll and HR Professionals to Phishing Scheme Involving W-2s

The Internal Revenue Service issued an alert in March to payroll and human resources professionals to beware of an emerging phishing email scheme that purports to be from company executives and requests personal information on employees.

The IRS has learned this scheme—part of the surge in phishing emails seen this year—has already claimed several victims as payroll and human resources offices mistakenly email payroll data including Forms W-2 that contain Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information to cyber criminals posing as company executives.

The AGC Houston Employment Practices Committee will discuss this and other relevant topics on April 21 from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Contact Charlene Anthony for details.

Visit https://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Alerts-Payroll-and-HR-Professionals-to-Phishing-Scheme-Involving-W2s to view the full article online.

Associated General Contractors Files Suit To Block Administration's Misguided Silica Rule

Calling the new federal silica standard "unobtainable," as well as costly and disruptive, contractors, a construction industry coalition, the aggregates industry and others are claiming the new OSHA silica standard is a missed opportunity to improve workplace safety without adding an additional regulatory burden on employers. The Louisiana chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America filed a challenge to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) final respirable crystalline silica rule in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

"Administration officials appear to have instead opted to set a new standard that is well beyond the capabilities of current air filtration and dust removal technologies," said Stephen Sandherr, AGC of America CEO.

Visit http://agchouston.org/pages/osha_crystaline_silica_2139.asp to view the full article online.

Construction Employment Increases In 234 Out Of 358 Metro Areas Between February 2015 And 2016

Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine and Monroe, Mich. Top Growth List; Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas, and Bloomington, Ill. Have Largest Declines; Many Energy-Producing Metro Areas Experience Big Losses

Construction employment increased in 234 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 52 and declined in 72 between February 2015 and February 2016, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that many energy-producing areas experienced job losses during the past year.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=372849&issueID=44509 to view the full article online.

Member News

Tellepsen Building New UH Multidisciplinary Research & Engineering Building

The University of Houston is building a new Multidisciplinary Research and Engineering Building (MREB) that will support the university’s mission to provide Tier One research facilities. Under construction since 2014, Tellepsen is currently finishing the $51 million facility located on the footprint of the old Y-Building, just east of Engineering Building 1.

The four-story, 120,000 gross -square-foot building will house research labs, computational training facilities, visualization lab, high-performance computational server room, and a NMR spectrometer lab.

With this new facility, UH will be able to increase its annual research expenditures to $36 million per year, which should promote approximately $612 million worth of economic activity in Houston alone. UH anticipates that its graduate student population will grow by 250 students because of the state-of-the-art research facilities needed to attract leading faculty, including members of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering.

The building is expected to open its doors in Fall. View more information here.

Visit http://uh.edu/infotech/services/webcam/ to view the full article online.

PPG Paints Presents Colossal Family Fun Day At Minute Maid Park

Saturday, April 30

Minute Maid Park

12 - 6 p.m.

Join PPG Pints for a free fun-filled family fun day featuring adult and children activities, vendor demonstrations and lots of giveaways.

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

Got News? We Want To Hear From You! Send Us Your Press Releases And Photos

Contact Catherine Bezman with your information and photos.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=372856&issueID=44509 to view the full article online.

Here's Looking At You

Congratulations To The Patrick J. Kiley Excellence In Leadership Scholarship Recipients, AGC of America Scholars, AGC Houston Standard of Excellence Recipient and Leadership AGC Class of 2016 Graduates!

Nine university students received Patrick J. Kiley Excellence In Leadership scholarships on April 14, 2016 at the HESS Club. The annual event also served to present AGC of America scholarships to deserving university students; recognize the Standard Of Excellence Award recipient; and celebrate the Leadership AGC Class of 2016 participants.

Stan Marek, Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. presided over the event and thanked the Patrick J. Kiley Excellence In Leadership sponsors who helped to contribute funds for the scholarships. In its 21st year, the Patrick J. Kiley Excellence In Leadership Scholarship program has awarded 122 scholarships, representing $418,000.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=372919&issueID=44509 to view the full article online.

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Director Of Construction Speaks At C3 Meeting

Construction Career Collaborative and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston hosted a town hall meeting for seven Contractors on April 11, 2016 at the AGC Houston offices to discuss Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archidiocese of Galveston-Houston's support of the C3 initiative. Attendees included representatives from Arch-Con Construction, Axis Builders, Brookstone, LP, Durotech, Inc, Humphries Construction Corporation, Westfall Group Constructors, Ltd. and Zenith Construction.

The meeting featured Steve Faught, Director of Construction and Preventive Maintenance for the Archdiocese, who discussed 10 projects currently in the planning stages, which are being considered as C3 projects. Faught showed how the Archdiocese recently compared bidding a job for a a large commercial office building using C3 and without the organization's principles. Once the bids were totaled, the cost differential for the bids, which specified C3 criteria, was approximately .04 percent more than the bids without C3 requirements. Faught believes that the potential savings gained from higher quality construction, resulting in lower building operational and maintenance costs, and a safer job site, will far surpass the incremental cost of C3 in construction.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=373374&issueID=44509 to view the full article online.

News You Can Use

Virtual Helmet Could Change Construction Sites

Imagine looking at a field of pipes and being able to identify them and what's flowing through them. Instead of keeping employees in the control room to monitor data, a worker could be able to tell if a measurement is out of line just by having the camera on the helmet read it.

Los Angeles-based Daqri is developing a virtual helmet for use in construction and other industries. The helmet's sensors and cameras are designed to make the construction industry safer and more productive. Autodesk, Hyperloop and Siemens have already placed orders for the helmet.

Visit http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-the-daqri-smart-helmet-2016-4 to view the full article online.

South Central Region 2016 Spring Conference and Interactive Trade Show

The Construction Specifications Institute is hosting its Spring Conference April 14-16, 2016 at the Hilton Post Oak Conference Center.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/Spring_Conference_Flyer2.pdf to view the full article online.

Gulf Coast Green 2016 Heads To MATCH In Midtown April 28

Registration is open for this year’s GCG symposium, Apr 28 at the MATCH in midtown. The theme this year is smART Design: the Intersection of Art, Architecture & Sustainability. Keynote speakers are Kai-Uwe Bergmann of BIG Architects and Jimmy Diresta from the FX show Trash to Cash and the Discovery Channel show Dirty Money.

Visit https://aiahouston.org/v/registration/Gulf-Coast-Green-2016/fc/ to view the full article online.

Hospitals Build Green, But Don't Necessarily Go After LEED

Hospitals are building green, but not necessarily going for certification. That has led some companies like Hammes to pay for the cost of certification. It recently built a $147 million hospital building that achieved LEED Silver certification.

Visit http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160319/MAGAZINE/303199984/construction-gets-greener-but-certifications-could-drop to view the full article online.