OSHA Proposes Rule to Ensure Crane Operators are Qualified To Safely Operate Equipment

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed a rule to increase the safety of America’s construction sites. In addition to providing long-term clarity regarding crane operator certification requirements, the proposal reinstates the employer duty to ensure a crane operator is qualified to safely operate equipment. Under the proposed rule, a change to the categories of certifications for crane operators would ensure more operators are able to meet the requirement. The proposal discontinues a 2010 requirement, which never went into effect, that crane operator certification must include the crane lifting capacity for which the operator is certified. The … Read more

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Western Specialty Contractors Launches Program to Re-Evaluate Safety on Changing Jobsites

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The construction industry is fast-paced and ever-changing. Change can be exciting for workers and their supervisors, but it can also be challenging. Not taking the time to ask the right questions about safety when a job changes can potentially lead to unsafe choices, accidents and delays. Starting in May, Western Specialty Contractors launched its S-T-E-P-P-S (Stop, Think, Employees, Public, Property, Safety) Program designed to get workers to ask the right questions about safety during job changes and develop the answers that will prevent accidents. “Since their jobs change every day, Western is requiring that every worker and their foremen STOP … Read more

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Hyatt Regency Stonebriar Breaks Ground in Frisco

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The Hyatt Regency Stonebriar has broken ground in Frisco, Texas at Stonebriar Centre. The 18-story, 303-room hotel will feature a parking garage, conference center and a city library. The hotel developer is Sam Moon Group; contractor is Brasfield & Gorrie; architect is HKS, Inc. and Looney & Associates will manage the interior designs. The hotel will be attached to the Stonebriar Centre mall on the second floor and will be located between Nordstrom and Dillard’s. The project features a 54,585-square-foot conference center including a grand ballroom, junior ballroom and additional breakout spaces; an 800-space parking garage, of which 200 spaces … Read more

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Mortenson to Build $140M in Wind Energy for Illinois

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Mortenson recently added three new Illinois wind farm projects that will contribute an additional 289 MW of electricity to the state by the end of 2018 and an additional 194 MWs in 2019. “Illinois is an ideal state for wind energy, both because of its geography and its need for power due to major manufacturing centers and large population,” said Tim Maag, vice president and general manager of Mortenson’s Wind Energy Group. “Despite ranking sixth in the nation for wind energy, though, Illinois has to really ramp up energy from renewables very quickly to meet its goals.” “According to the American Wind … Read more

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Construction Unemployment Rate Increases Slightly, Higher Pay Levels Attract People with Recent Construction Experience

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Construction employment increased by 17,000 jobs in April and by 257,000 jobs over the past year while firms boosted pay to help recruit new workers, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted the increases in pay appear to be attracting more former construction workers back into the job market, but cautioned that labor conditions remain extremely tight. “Many firms are boosting pay and taking other steps to compete for a relatively small pool of available, qualified workers to hire,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “While these steps … Read more

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