CPWR Releases New Safety + Health Resources for the New Year 

The start of a new year offers a great opportunity to find new ways to address ongoing hazards to construction workers. CPWR is supporting that work by adding to its collection of free resources that promote safety and health. The organization’s latest materials focus on: Solvents: A new Hazard Alert (in English and Spanish), Toolbox Talk (English, Spanish) and infographic all describe the hazards of these chemicals and how to protect workers. Isocyanates: A new Impact Card describes how a CPWR-funded researcher helped an occupied healthcare facility when spray polyurethane foam was installed. RF Radiation: At low levels radiofrequency radiation, … Read more

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California State Polytechnic University Phase 1 Replacement Project Complete

Phase 1 of the first-year student housing replacement project at California State Polytechnic University, located in Pomona, has recently been completed. The project consists of two eight-story towers that house 980 students and includes a 35,000-square-foot dining facility. Both towers are structural concrete constructed by the contractor’s own concrete crews. The project included the relocation of approximately 2,600 linear feet of along one drive, and the addition of 400 parking spaces around the area. With the site comprising 16 acres, and the project itself a little more than 10 acres, it was the largest project to date for the university. … Read more

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Steel Costs Begin to Level out, Supply + Demand Stabilizes 

In March 2018, when a large tariff increase—25%—on steel imports went into effect, alarm bells went off in the construction industry. A cost increase of this size impacts bottom lines, so everyone in the industry braced for a blow. The tension was high. The U.S. is the largest steel importer throughout the world (Trade.gov) and, when the new tariff began, the construction industry was growing faster than at any time since 2010, when recovery from the Great Recession began. Just when recovery was taking off, this new threat loomed. Questions related to the new cost of steel and its available … Read more

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Builder Launches Dedicated Service Pledge to Sacred Heart Community Service

Commercial builder Blach Construction is ringing in 2020 with plans to commemorate 50 years in business. Founded in 1970 by Michael S. Blach, the company will be hosting a series of celebrations and has kicked off a year-long giving program at Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose, California. “When we polled our colleagues on how they would like to celebrate our first 50 years, the results were overwhelmingly in favor of performing community service,” stated Chairman Mike Blach. “This response was very gratifying and would have made my dad, our founder, very happy. He loved working with nonprofits and … Read more

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Phase II of Northland Central Project Exceeds Minority/Women-Owned Business Utilization Goals

The recently completed Phase II of the Northland Central project, located in Buffalo, New York, creates a new home for Buffalo Manufacturing Works. This second phase of construction provides 50,000 square feet of a facility that is twice the size of the organization’s previous space. Gilbane Building Company served as general contractor on the project. “The completion of Phase II of Northland Central is yet another step forward in the continued economic development of Western New York,” said John Cleary, senior project executive, Gilbane Building Company. “This project, which will help advance Buffalo’s manufacturing capability, is particularly exciting because of … Read more

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