National Craft Championships Showcases Best and Brightest Construction Talent

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — On May 1 and 2, nearly 1,000 people will gather at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex for the National Craft Championships, an annual event that draws the construction industry’s top apprentices and trainees and pits them against each other over the course of two days. The young men and women who are competing in 13 different categories represent more than five million welders, pipefitters, electricians, millwrights and other craft professionals who are responsible for constructing and maintaining power plants, manufacturing facilities, roadways, bridges and dams across the United States.                 … Read more

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More Positive Momentum for Architecture Billings

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Washington, D.C. — The Architecture Billings Index is reflecting a steady upturn in design activity.   As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate from nine- to twelve-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.   The American Institute of Architects reported the March ABI score was 51.9, down from a mark of 54.9 in February.   This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).   The new projects inquiry index was 60.1, down from the reading of 64.8 the previous month. “Business … 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 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health May 23-24 in Washington, D.C. ACCSH, established under the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, advises the secretary of labor and assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health on construction standards and policy matters. The full committee agenda includes remarks from Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health and updates from the directorate of construction. In addition, the committee will consider … Read more

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OSHA Issues Final Rule to Protect Workers Using Cranes, Derricks in Demolition and Underground Construction

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — OSHA has issued a final rule that applies the requirements of the August 2010 cranes and derricks in construction standard to demolition work and underground construction. Application of this rule will protect workers from hazards associated with hoisting equipment used during construction activities. “It is important that construction workers in these sectors receive the same safety protections as other construction workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Extending this rule to demolition and underground construction work will help save lives and prevent injuries.” This final rule applies the same crane … Read more

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Gilbane Building Company Receives First Place in the Construction Safety Excellence Awards

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Associated General Contractors of America has named Gilbane Building Company a national winner in the organization's 14th Annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards program. The CSEA program, sponsored by Willis, is recognizes companies that have developed and implemented premier safety and loss prevention programs and achieved continuous improvements and maintenance of their safety and health management systems. “Safety is a fundamental value to us,” says Tony O"Dea, Gilbane's corporate director of safety. “Every one of the 13,000 men and women —employees, contractor partners, vendors and our clients — who work on Gilbane projects everyday are members of … Read more

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