Inquiries for New Projects Reached Highest Mark Since 2007 Washington, D.C. —— For the first time since January 2008, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) indicated a growth in design activity in September, increasing for the fourth straight month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the September ABI score was 50.4, up from a reading of 48.2 the previous month. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates … Read more
AGC Honors Construction Companies, Training Professionals with Education Excellence Awards
Programs Based in Colorado, North Carolina & Texas Are Recognized for Providing Most Innovative and Collaborative Training and Development Programs Four leading construction companies and a training professional were recently recognized for developing successful training programs, the Associated General Contractors of America announced. The winners of the association's Education Excellence Awards were announced during the group's fourth Annual Training and Development Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. Association officials noted the winners were selected because they provide the construction industry with the most innovative and collaborative training and development programs. “These programs are essential to keeping this industry current and thriving,” said … Read more
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis to Establish Charter on Construction Safety and Health Advisory Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will re-establish the charter of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. The group advises the secretary on formulating safety and health standards and policies that affect construction workers and the construction industry. The charter will expire in two years. “Since OSHA’s inception, ACCSH has played an important role in furthering the safety and health of workers in the construction industry,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “The members’ advice and recommendations are extremely valuable to the agency because they have … Read more
Haskell Hires New Vice President of Healthcare Division
Wayne Burrus Charged to Continue Expansion of the Company's Design-Build Services The Haskell Company has hired Wayne Burrus as Vice President and leader of its Commercial Group's Healthcare Division. In his new role, Burrus is responsible for further growing Haskell's design-build practice in the healthcare market throughout the United States. “Our healthcare division has grown tremendously over the past decade to become one of the largest divisions in our corporate design-build practice, and we believe Wayne will build upon that success with his experience and expertise in the design-build delivery of numerous projects for some of the nation's top healthcare … Read more
OSHA Reports on State-Run Occupational Safety and Health Programs
Agency calls for corrective actions to keep workers safe WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced that it has concluded a special evaluation of state-run occupational safety and health programs under its jurisdiction. Enhanced Federal Annual Monitoring and Evaluation reports provide detailed findings and recommendations on the operations of state-run OSHA programs in 25 states and territories. The enhanced review was initiated after a 2009 special OSHA report on Nevada's program, prompted by numerous construction-related fatalities in Las Vegas, identified serious operational deficiencies in that state. “Our goal is to identify problems in … Read more