ROSSLYN, Va. — The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) renewed their call on Congress to support increasing the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction from $1.80 per square foot to $3 per square foot in order to help stimulate immediate job creation. More than 80 organizations in the manufacturing, construction, and environmental arenas have now co-signed a letter to Congressional members asking for an increase in this particular tax deduction. This represents an increase of more than 40 percent in the number of signatures since December 2009. A copy of the letter is … Read more

AHA Newsline ABC March 30 objected to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed rule that would revise the OSHA Form 300 to include an additional reporting column for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).   The proposed rule would amend OSHA's recordkeeping regulation, although OSHA claims it would not require employers to implement any new controls in the workplace.   In its comments, ABC expressed concern over the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) largely due to the vague and subjective definition of what would constitute an MSD.   The NPRM defines MSDs as “disorders for the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) President and CEO M. Kirk Pickerel announced today that he will be leaving the association March 31, 2011, providing time for an effective transition in the association's leadership.   Upon retirement, Pickerel plans to devote time to his favorite activities, including hiking, biking and adventure travel. “With 27 years of experience at ABC — the last 10 as president — Kirk has provided the association with strong leadership, inspiration and visionary thinking, working nonstop on behalf of ABC's 25,000 members and 77 chapters nationwide,” said 2010 ABC National Chairman Jim Elmer, founder … Read more

Faith Technologies, Inc. Wins Construction Safety Excellence Awards Grand Prize as 23 Other Companies Win First Place for Quality Construction Safety Programs Faith Technologies, Inc. of Menasha, Wisconsin ran 2009’s best construction program according to the Associated General Contractors of America. The association, which oversees the Construction Safety Excellence Awards, an annual ranking of construction safety programs, noted that 23 other companies were selected as first-place for the quality of their safety programs. “There’s no better measure of a company’s commitment to quality than the strength of their safety program,” said Doug Pruitt, the association’s past-president who announced this year’s … Read more