NEW YORK — The growth of the green building market will drive adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, according to a new SmartMarket Report, Green BIM: How Building Information Modeling is Contributing to Green Design and Construction, released today by McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). Produced in collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Autodesk, and 13 other prominent industry organizations, the report provides new insights on the convergence of two important construction industry trends: green building and BIM, known simply as “Green BIM.” “Green building is … Read more

The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Aug. 19 reported that construction fatalities in 2009 fell 16 percent to 816, making it the lowest fatality rate in 18 years, according to preliminary numbers.   The final report will be released in April 2011.   “The BLS census of fatal occupational injuries once again reinforces how the construction industry continues to build upon and refine site safety practices to prevent injuries to our greatest assets — our employees,” said Chris Williams, Associated Builder and Contractor’s director of safety. “The continued, long-term reduction in construction industry fatalities is proof … Read more

Construction Costs Appear to be Stabilizing Following Decline Over the Past Six Quarters NEW YORK — Turner Construction Company announced that the Third Quarter 2010 Turner Building Cost Index remains unchanged from the second quarter of 2010. The Turner Building Cost Index measures costs in the non-residential building construction market in the United States.   The Turner Building Cost Index value is 798 for the Third Quarter of 2010. This reflects a 2.68% decrease from the Third Quarter 2009 and an overall decline of 13.16% over the past two years. Karl F. Almstead, the Turner vice president responsible for the … Read more

Safety Incidents Drop 46 Percent among Participating AGC Members DENVER — As Randy DeMario, board president of the Associated General Contractors of Colorado signed the historic agreement renewing AGC's partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, he recalled the profound impact the partnership has had on reducing worksite injuries and saving lives. “Since the program started in 2004, the number of injury incidents has dropped 46 percent, from 5.7 incidents per 100 employees in 2004 to 3.1 in 2009,” said DeMario, president of Heath Construction in Fort Collins. “We"ve demonstrated that the program with OSHA works.” Through the partnership, … Read more