WASHINGTON, D.C. – Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction, a guidance document recently published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration addresses the control of worker exposure to dust containing crystalline silica, known to cause the lung disease silicosis. The publication, intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace, includes methods for controlling silica such as wet cutting during construction operations. Wet cutting controls silica dust generated when using hand-held saws, grinders and jackhammers. Wetting materials at the point of impact makes the dust particles heavier and more likely to stick to each other, reducing the chance of … Read more

Rebound expected in 2011 and 2012 LEXINGTON, MASS. — Because of a collapse in nonresidential construction and despite an expected recovery of residential building in the second half of 2009, total construction spending on an annual basis is expected to fall 12 percent this year and 4 percent in 2010, according to the Third Quarter U.S. Construction Briefing by IHS Global Insight’s Construction Service. Real total construction spending is expected to rebound with double-digit growth on an annual basis in 2011 and 2012, according to the IHS Global Insight forecast. The mixed outlook for the construction market mirrors the mixed outlook for the … Read more

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Architecture and construction plans for ProjectONE, an expansion project for The Ohio State University that will significantly advance the Medical Center’s education and research programs and improve patient care, were approved today on September 18 by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees. This is one of the largest job-generating initiatives in Ohio's history. It is projected to create as many as 10,000 new full-time jobs and more than 5,000 construction jobs. ProjectONE will provide the community with $1.7 billion in annual economic impact by 2015, which is in addition to the more than $4 billion in … Read more