Fourteen student teams from the United States and Canada have won the 2011 edition of the annual AEM Construction Challenge presented by Volvo Construction Equipment. The annual challenge is held at the Global Finals of Destination ImagiNation (DI). The 2011 event took place May 25-28 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. AEM along with DI developed the Construction Challenge to engage students through a hands-on, educational experience that introduces them to construction careers such as engineers, equipment technicians and manufacturing professionals. In addition to the annual challenge, AEM also conducts a challenge program at the triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE … Read more

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

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

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