COVID-19 Response (Part 1): What You Need to Know to Protect Your Crews

Amidst the growing uncertainties surrounding the global pandemic, it’s critical that we do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19—while at the same time attempt to maintain “business as usual” —with safeguards in place to better protect the safety and well-being of employees, trade partners, clients and the general public. The following recommended best practices, recently published by The Builder’s Association, are based on what is presently known about the coronavirus disease. As this issue progresses or recedes, the organization strongly recommends contractors stay current and immediately implement the most up-to-date best practices going forward. Personal responsibilities It … Read more

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General Contractor Shares Best Practices in Unprecedented Coronavirus Crisis

Like countless other companies, Gilbane, Inc. has been working hard to ensure its people are informed and prepared to take care of themselves and their families during this coronavirus pandemic and through this time of need. The company is continuously monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control on the COVID-19 virus and following guidance from local authorities and, while every individual should assess their own risks and plan accordingly, the following are best practices Gilbane is taking to actively address the outbreak of COVID-19 across the global family business: Communicate and follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of … Read more

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How to Deal with Unknown Site Conditions + Underground Utilities

Planning, training to minimize risk By Dwayne Goddard As a senior superintendent, I have been working in the construction industry for more than 42 years. I have seen the industry evolve, particularly in the way we approach unknowns on a jobsite. Gone are the days of walking on a new site and immediately digging a trench or tearing down walls. Now more than ever, the emphasis is on planning and identifying potential hazards before they occur. Plan the work, work the plan In my career working for multiple general contractors, I have observed a drastic variation in the frequency that … Read more

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‘Lean’ by Example: 3 Tips from One Superintendent to Another

How to implement commitment, buy-in from your team & subs By Tony Creed Those of us who follow Lean construction methods understand the value behind a full project team working in sync. When one contractor isn’t in sync, it can cause the whole process to stall. On the jobsite, your schedule is dependent on that non-Lean contractor. That can impact the bottom line for both companies, so any improvement to one is an improvement to all; however, you can’t force other contractors to follow Lean. Your best bet is to show them all the benefits through your own processes, easy-to-understand … Read more

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ABC Reports on Safety Best Practices Making Construction Companies 770% Safer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors recently released its 2017 Safety Performance Report to further the construction industry’s understanding of how to make jobsites safer through its Safety Performance Evaluation Process. Packed with infographics and practical takeaways, the report documents the dramatic impact of using proactive safety practices to reduce recordable incidents by up to 87 percent, making the best-performing companies 770 percent safer than the industry average. The Safety Performance Report is based on data gathered from ABC member companies recording more than 1 billion hours of work in construction, heavy construction, civil engineering and specialty trades. It … Read more

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