Construction Employment Increases During Past Year, Reports AGC

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Construction firms added jobs in 43 states and the District of Columbia between January 2014 and January 2015 while construction employment increased in 31 between December and January, according to a recent analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that further construction gains could be undermined if Congress and the administration fail to address infrastructure funding challenges growing regulatory burdens. “Most of the country experienced a welcome rebound in construction employment last year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Yet it is unclear how public sector demand and new regulatory requirements … Read more

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ABC Names 2015 Craft Professional, Craft Instructor of the Year Award Winners

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During the Careers in Construction Awards Ceremony March 6, ABC recognized Holley Thomas, a foreman for KBR, Houston, Texas, as its 2015 Craft Professional of the Year and Jonathan Sacks, transmission and distribution training manager for Cianbro, Pittsfield, Maine, as its 2015 Craft Instructor of the Year. The awards were presented during ABC's Workforce Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Each year, ABC presents the Craft Professional of the Year and Craft Instructor of the Year awards to a construction craft professional and a construction instructor who excels in his or her field, maintains a lifelong commitment to training and upholds … Read more

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Codes, Standards Developers Align Guidelines to Create Sustainable, High-Performance Buildings

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Several leading associations that develop codes and standards to create green buildings are collaborating to align the International Green Construction Code (or IgCC), ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1 and the LEED green building program. The initiative is being welcomed by code officials, architects, engineers and contractors. “In just a few years we progressed from developing the first model code for green buildings to a new cooperative document that will make it easier for owners, designers, builders and code officials to deliver sustainable, high-performing buildings,” said International Code Council CEO Dominic Sims, CBO. “Thank you to our cooperating sponsors, ICC members and all … Read more

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OSHA Publishes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Updating Eye, Face Protection Standards

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today published a proposed revision to its Eye and Face Protection Standards that updates personal protective equipment requirements in the agency's general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring, marine terminals and construction standards. The proposed revisions will reflect current national consensus standards and ensure that employers use up-to-date eye and face protection during hazardous workplace operations. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking incorporates the latest American National Standards Institute eye and face protection standard, which was adopted after OSHA issued the final rule on personal protective equipment in 2009. The 2009 final rule did … Read more

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OSHA Schedules Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will hold a special meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health March 31-April 1, in Washington, D.C. The meeting will consider a draft proposal to revise OSHA's crane operator qualification requirement in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction standard. The tentative agenda also includes remarks from Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, OSHA's presentation of the draft proposed standard, public comments to ACCSH and the committee's   recommendation on the proposed rule. A draft of the proposed regulatory text and a summary … Read more

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