Construction Industry Council: Best Practices in Use to Protect Workers, Public from Virus Spread

The construction industry is taking essential safety measures to protect workers and the public from the spread of the coronavirus. Operating under the designation as an essential business as modified by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in the downstate New York region crews are pressing forward with infrastructure renewal and environmental protection projects. While certain projects have been slowed or delayed due to staffing shortages, contracting employers and organized labor leaders are hopeful key personnel and crews can continue to deliver on public projects. Contractors continue to push ahead to protect and upgrade water resources and the utility sectors. Electrical workers are … Read more

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What Construction Companies are Doing in Wake of COVID-19

As COVID-19 brings countless businesses to a grinding halt, the construction industry remains resilient — even in the face of tremendous challenge. Unlike many industries where “working from home” and “drive-thru service” are feasible countermeasures, construction firms have jobsites to run. Chris Hopper, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska, said, “You can’t hang drywall from your house.” The New York-based construction and development firm employs more than 10,000, and has developed a multi-faceted COVID-19 response plan to help keep employees safe and jobsites operational. Association of Equipment Manufacturers looked at what Skanska and other leading construction firms are … Read more

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Kickoff Celebration Held for NCCER-Certified Apprenticeship Program

Workforce Solutions of Williamson County in Texas, along with TDIndustries, recently held a kickoff celebration of TD’s registered apprenticeship program. In a partnership with North Texas’ Construction Education Foundation, TD provides a 20-week training program for HVAC and plumbing employees as their first step of apprenticeship. Participants can learn the basics of pipefitting, plumbing and sheet metal work in the first course, and receive advanced training in subsequent semesters. The National Center for Construction Education and Research has certified this program. The first class began Thursday, Jan. 23 and runs through June 11. Presently, 17 TD partners are enrolled in … Read more

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Autodesk, AGC Equip Women in Construction with Properly Fitting Safety Harnesses

Autodesk Construction Solutions and the Associated General Contractors of America are awarding grants to 21 construction firms to provide more than 300 fall protection safety harnesses designed for women. The grants are designed to address one of the most significant safety hazards for construction craft professionals and recruit more women into high-paying construction careers. “We recognize the need for more women to join the construction industry to help fill the labor gap, and keeping them as safe as possible must be top priority,” said Allison Scott, director at Autodesk Construction Solutions. “For 300 women in construction, AGC and Autodesk are … Read more

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Ergonomics Training Program Available for Construction Workers

CPWR has released a new Best Built Plans ergonomics training program for construction workers, the first part of a two-part comprehensive training program focused on preventing back, shoulder and other types of soft tissue injuries. These injuries, also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders, account for more than 25% of nonfatal injuries in the industry. This worker-focused ergonomics training program provides instructors with information to raise workers’ awareness of soft tissue injuries and ways to prevent them, including safe-lifting practices and proper body mechanics. It includes both classroom and hands-on components, sections to use with new and more experienced workers and … Read more

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