Yasmine Branden Named President of the National Association of Women in Construction

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Yasmine Branden was recently named president of the National Association of Women in Construction at its annual convention in Bellevue, Wash. NAWIC provides its 4,000 members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training and public service. Branden is vice president and production manager of Neil Kelly Company, a design/build remodeling company in the Northwest. She has been a NAWIC member for the last 14 years working her way up through the local, regional and national leadership positions. “With the prediction of a labor shortage of 2 million people by 2017, there is a huge opportunity for women just … Read more

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US Department of Labor’s OSHA Continues Outreach Campaign in Midwest to Protect Workers from Struck-By Vehicle Incidents on Job Sites

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the past five years, 15 percent of all workplace fatalities investigated by the Kansas City Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration have involved struck-by vehicle accidents in the workplace. Struck-by injuries and fatalities are caused by conventional traffic/passenger vehicles, forklifts and other moving, powered industrial equipment, such as cranes and yard trucks. Because of this, OSHA is continuing its regional outreach initiative in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska to educate workers and their employers about preventing such accidents. “We’ve investigated 37 cases in the past six years in … Read more

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OSHA Proposes Rule to Protect Workers Exposed to Crystalline Silica

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — OSHA recently announced a proposed rule aimed at curbing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America’s workers. The proposal seeks to lower worker exposure to crystalline silica, which kills hundreds of workers and sickens thousands more each year. After publication of the proposal, the public will have 90 days to submit written comments, followed by public hearings. “Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that exposure is essential,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “Every year, exposed workers not only lose their ability to … Read more

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National Association of Women in Construction and Joint Commission Ally With OSHA to Protect Workers

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OSHA has formed an alliance with the National Association of Women in Construction to develop training resources to protect women in the construction industry. The agency also unveiled its new Women in Construction Web page, which addresses safety and health issues specific to female construction workers. For more information on the alliance, visit the OSHA-NAWIC Web page. OSHA has also renewed its alliance with The Joint Commission to provide information and training resources that will help protect the safety and health of healthcare workers. Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based … Read more

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ABC Construction Economic Update: Nonresidential Fixed Investment in Structures Expands 4.6%

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Nonresidential fixed investment in structures expanded 4.6 percent on an annualized basis during the second quarter of 2013, according to the July 31 gross domestic product report by the U.S. Commerce Department. This increase followed a 4.6 percent decline in the first quarter of the year. Fixed investment in equipment rose 4.1 percent in the second quarter and overall investment in structures expanded 6.8 percent. Residential fixed investment increased 13.4 percent following 12.5 percent expansion in the first quarter. Fixed investment in the nation's residential sector has been growing at a double-digit clip since the third quarter of 2012. Personal … Read more

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