Field Notes: Staying Safe on Sites

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By Andy Peters Safety is a top priority in the construction industry. Although many general contractors have made good progress to ensure the safety of all workers at every stage of a project, there are still instances where accidents happen. The Construction Industry Institute’s latest report, “Improving Site Safety Performance through Operational Excellence,” indicates the rate of improvement among industry leaders has slowed down. The Total Recordable Incident Rate for the construction industry shows as flat between 2010 and 2013 (range 4.0-3.8). The CII member companies (a subset of the whole construction industry), has also been essentially flat at .43 … Read more

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Making the Grade: Top 10 Tips for Keeping Summer School Construction Projects on Track

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By Joe Lipski Nearly 10 years ago, when the Great Recession clobbered the country, construction was one of the industries that took it the hardest. New building developments all but stopped, and many additions and deferred maintenance projects were put on hold. The slowdown also forced companies to freeze hiring and lay off staff. But, our country is resilient and, today, the construction industry tells a different story. New construction, renovations and upgrades are soaring, putting pressure on building companies to staff and complete projects on time and on budget. There are many reasons why projects may face a time … Read more

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Best Practices: How to Promote, Maintain a Healthy Work Culture

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By Todd Sachse As construction professionals, we spend a lot of time on the process–the technical, logistical and operational details that keep a project moving smoothly and lead to successful outcomes. One piece of the puzzle often overlooked is culture. A healthy work culture can improve communication, increase job satisfaction, boost efficiencies, minimize downtime and, ultimately, make your jobsites safer, more collaborative and more productive. It’s important to recognize that culture isn’t an abstract notion, but a practical, tangible and meaningful piece of the professional lifestyle. There is a direct connection between a positive and productive work culture and a … Read more

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A Chat with Mike King, Senior Project Superintendent at Kitchell

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Strong leadership, communication keys to success By Chris Maday Schmidt Mike King, ASHE, CHC, senior project superintendent, has invested three decades of his professional life at Kitchell Contractors where he’s managed some of the Southwest’s most iconic projects, including many of Arizona’s most high-profile healthcare projects. From Tucson to Flagstaff and around Greater Phoenix, King’s footprint can be found at a patient tower for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and at an emergency department tower at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, as well as the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. In Southern California, King managed the University of California San Diego Jacobs … Read more

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Band Saw Makes Low-Spark Cuts in Metals, Tough Materials

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The Bosch GCB10-5 Deep Cut Band Saw is the easy-to-handle tool to deliver low-spark, clean cuts in rebar, conduit and other metals. These precise cuts require limited rework because the 10 amp saw is powerful enough to handle professional-sized jobs on most materials. The band saw saves time by making clean cuts that require almost no rework for burrs or tempering colors, and accommodates most common applications in a single pass thanks to a cutting depth of up to 4-3/4 inches. It features variable speed settings, so the user can match the cut rate to the material for greater precision. … Read more

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