OSHA Forms Safety Partnership for St. Alexius Medical Center Construction Project

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a partnership with Schaumburg, Ill.-based Power Construction Co. LLC to promote effective safety and health programs during the St. Alexius Medical Center East Pavilion construction project in Hoffman Estates, Ill. The partnership also includes the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Chicago Pipefitters Union and the Illinois On-Site Consultation Program. “This voluntary partnership reflects a mutual recognition of the importance of workers’ safety and health,” said Diane Turek, OSHA’s area director in Des Plaines. “Partnerships such as this … Read more

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Construction Spending Inches Up in April

Construction spending inched up for the second straight month in April, 0.4 percent — following downward revisions to the March spending figures — thanks to increases in private nonresidential and home-improvement spending, the Associated General Contractors of America reported today in an analysis of new Census Bureau data. Association officials noted, however, that the gains were tempered by sluggish homebuilding and declining levels of public investment in construction. “Overall economic conditions seem better than they have been for several years, which normally leads to well-rounded construction growth,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “But these figures may be deceptively … Read more

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Turner School of Construction Management Launches 23rd Annual Training Program in Chicago

CHICAGO, Ill. — Turner Construction Company’s Chicago office will launch its 23rd annual Turner School of Construction Management training program beginning on June 14 for owners of minority- and women-business enterprises in the construction industry. The program is offered at no cost and provides an opportunity for participants to further develop and improve their skills, while networking with others in the construction industry. The Turner School of Construction Management is designed to provide minority- and women-owned contracting companies with the tools necessary to pursue work in the private and public sectors.   Participants learn the essentials of managing a business, … Read more

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New AEM/OSHA Alliance Crane Decal Now Available

A new decal for cranes — “Designated/Certified Operators ONLY” — has been developed by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and approved by OSHA. The decal signifies the machine should be operated only by personnel who have received employer certification of training and evaluation according to relevant OSHA standards. It can be found online at the AEM Store (http://shop.aem.org). Equipment manufacturers working through AEM’s Crane Technical Committee reviewed the decal and provided guidance. The decal is an example of the importance and commitment that AEM manufacturers place on properly trained operators in control of their products. It is also the latest … Read more

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Master Lock Partners with Mike Rowe to Promote Work Truck Security

OAK CREEK, Wis. — Master Lock has formed a partnership with Mike Rowe, creator and host of Discovery Channel’s popular program, “Dirty Jobs,” and founder of mikeroweWORKS. Through Mike’s mission of raising respect and appreciation for skilled labor, coupled with Master Lock’s commitment to providing innovative security solutions, the partnership will help raise awareness for both. To launch the partnership, Master Lock also announced it is making a substantial donation to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. The donation will support technical education scholarships and assistance to schools and institutes providing a technical curriculum. Rowe, who calls himself a perpetual apprentice, has performed … Read more

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