Turner Construction Company announced that the Third Quarter 2011 Turner Building Cost Index has slightly increased over the Second Quarter of 2011. The index measures costs in the nonresidential building construction market in the United States. The cost index of 814 reflects a 0.37 percent increase from the Second Quarter 2011 and 2.01 percent increase from the Third Quarter 2010. Karl F. Almstead, the Turner vice president responsible for the Turner Building Cost Index said, “Commodity and material prices have stabilized on decreasing global demand. Structural Steel and Reinforcing Bar prices are remaining stable for the near future. Although the … Read more

MT. VERNON, IOWA — The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) — a North American association dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in-place concrete foundations — has announced the newest terms for its Board of Directors. This past August, the membership of the Concrete Foundations Association assembled at Wintergreen Resort in Wintergreen, Va. for the CFA Annual Convention. During that event, the following individuals were elected for three-year terms to the Board of Directors both returning experience and bringing new energy. Those elected to serve another term included Tom Brown of TJ Construction in Ely, Iowa and Van Smith of … Read more

On January 14, 2009, OSHA issued a letter of interpretation regarding the use of a particular shock absorbing lanyard to satisfy the requirements found in §1926.453(b)(2)(v). The Directorate of Construction has received inquiries from regional offices, area offices and the public asking if the January 2009 letter banned the lanyard in question. OSHA did not ban the particular lanyard but stated, based on the manufacturer’s instructions, which stipulated a minimum anchor point height of 18.5 feet, it was likely that the lanyard’s use would not comply with OSHA standards at lower heights. In such cases, use of the lanyard below … Read more

The first-ever lean construction education program will include the latest research and content thanks to an agreement between the Associated General Contractors of America and the Lean Construction Institute. Both groups will work together to create additional resources for contractors about lean construction. “This agreement will connect our nationwide network of contractors with the Institute's unique expertise with and knowledge of lean construction,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “We will be able to offer more content to more contractors in more places working together than either organization ever could on its … Read more