Oltmans Solar Completes Construction of Largest Rooftop Solar Installation in North America

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WHITTIER, Calif. — Oltmans Construction Co., a leading U.S. industrial and commercial general contractor, announced it has completed construction of the largest rooftop solar installation in North America, totaling 8.6 megawatts (MW). The installation covers 1.2-million-square-feet on a Prologis distribution center rooftop and is part of Southern California Edison’s renewable energy program. The installation is located in Rialto, Calif. “With the completion of this project, Oltmans has constructed a total of 13 solar installations totaling 26 MW and covering 5.5 million square feet with a value of more than $68 million,” said Mike Englhard, vice president of Oltmans Solar. “We … Read more

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OSHA Issues Memo about Fall Protection on Aerial Lifts

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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

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AGC, Lean Construction Institute Launch Partnership

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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

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Architecture Billings Index Turns Positive after Four Straight Monthly Declines

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the heels of a period of weakness in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index took a sudden upturn in August. As an economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the August ABI score was 51.4, following a very weak score of 45.1 in July. 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 56.9, up sharply from a reading of … Read more

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Scripps Radiation Therapy Center in La Jolla Reaches Milestone for Structural Steel Work

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SAN DIEGO, CALIF. — Construction work on San Diego's latest cancer treatment facility has reached a milestone with the topping out of structural steel work at the Scripps Radiation Therapy Center on the Torrey Pines Mesa in La Jolla, Calif. The 41,000-square-foot center, which broke ground last spring, is being built on an 8-acre parcel. The $43.9-million facility is scheduled to open for patient care by the third quarter of 2012. DPR Construction is the project's general contractor. Key subcontractors include FreemanWhite (design-build); Hope Engineering (structural engineering); RBF Consulting (civil engineering); Wimmer Yamada & Caughey (landscape design); University Mechanical (mechanical … Read more

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