3 Strategies for Superintendents to Tackle Labor Shortage, Create Diverse Participation

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By Dannis Mitchell The Associated General Contractors of America reports that 89% of contractors are having a hard time finding craft workers and 61% said their firm’s projects are being delayed because of workforce shortages. The number of unfilled construction jobs nationwide neared its highest level in 20 years last July, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. And yet, those statistics also reveal an untapped labor market among minority and women business enterprise communities, with women representing only about 10% of the construction industry’s workforce and African Americans a mere 6%. Involving MWBE and other disadvantaged business enterprises … Read more

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Tips to Minimize Damage, Protect Parking Structures During Winter

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Chemical deicers and snowplows are commonly used in winter to eliminate hazardous ice and snow from parking decks and structures. While deicers are doing their job melting away snow and ice, some may actually be corroding the parking structure’s concrete and reinforcing steel, and some snow removal techniques may actually be doing more damage than good. Western Specialty Contractors offers several tips to minimize unnecessary damage to parking structures during the winter months, and keep drivers safe. Snow removal tips Clearly mark expansion joints in a way that will be visible to the equipment operator when the deck is covered … Read more

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4 Ways to Overcome Project Setbacks, Challenges in Unpredictable Environments

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By Mark Hendricks The last year has reinforced that nothing is certain, and the unexpected should always be expected. Major storms, growing labor shortages, a canal blockage and a global pandemic were just a few of the many unpredictable events that have caused procurement interruptions, longer lead times and rising prices for most of the commonly used building materials. The inevitable slowdown put an uncomfortable spotlight on the construction industry’s heavy dependence on the global supply chain, as well as demonstrated how the shifting of just a few variables can cause major headaches. Delivery times for lumber orders, alone, have … Read more

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Lean, Mean, Materials Handling Machine

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A fresh look at material handling operations By Ken Cornell Did you know that evaluating material handling operations may provide the key to a more productive, safe and profitable jobsite? And superintendents who embrace change on this front give their companies a competitive advantage. Evolution of safety practices Since the establishment of OSHA in the 1970s, safety protocols and standards have continued to evolve. In fact, the pace of change has rapidly increased with the consistent introduction of new technology and processes that are pushing the industry forward in terms of field operations. Typically, slower to adopt change, construction organizations … Read more

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Addressing Temporary Containment During Renovations

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This free webinar, held at 2 p.m. EDT on July 22, is a virtual event accessible online and over the phone. Access instructions will be provided after registration. Description The “drywall default” is crumbling. Join STARC Systems’ Bruce Bickford, VP product development, and Bill Cooper, SVP sales and service, to discover how the latest advancements in modular temporary containment are raising the bar for occupied renovations. In this session, Bickford and Cooper shed light on why contractors should revisit emerging solutions that are faster and easier to install, durable and reusable. You’ll also learn how, when done right, modular temporary … Read more

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