After years of stagnation, construction of K-12 schools is finally ramping back up in many districts across the country. In fact, institutional construction is expected to increase 10 percent this year to $118.5 billion, according to Dodge Data and Analytics’ 2017 Dodge Construction Outlook. This number largely is driven by the education sector, which comprises more than 40 percent of the institutional market.
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This time next year, OSHA’s new certification requirements for crane operators goes into effect. The new requirements revise the current Cranes and Derricks Standard to detail work practices and qualifications necessary for employees to safely use cranes and derricks, according to OSHA.
Construction and extraction ranked in the top five sectors with the most job growth, with a 9.25 percent increase from 2012 to 2015, according to an analysis by Abodo of employment opportunities in the top-five fastest growing industries in the 25 most populous U.S. cities.
When a job involves working on energized power lines, there is no room for error—one safety incident could be deadly. Coutts Bros., a Maine-based utility contractor, understands the potential fatal consequences and created a culture of safety to minimize that risk.
In any industry or company, the poor actions of a few can overshadow the good work of the majority. To combat this in the construction industry requires consistency, dedication and a commitment to getting the job done right the first time.
Every year, Associated Builders and Contractor (ABC) holds the National Craft Championships (NCC), in which more than 200 craft trainees from companies across the country compete in their trades—all hoping to win the gold. This year, Iowa Insulation’s Jacob Nelson took home the gold medal for the insulation competition. Another employee from the company competed with ABC of Iowa Apprenticeship & Training Trust, which took home the gold in the team competition.
Contractors specializing in health care construction were hit with a double whammy in 2009: the economic recession and the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The 2016 Dodge Construction Outlook reports health care construction starts dropped 38 percent in square footage and 32 percent in dollar terms in 2009. After the initial plummet, construction began to increase only to fall again in 2012 during the Supreme Court’s hearing of the ACA. Such uncertainty eroded business owners’ already low confidence in industry forecasts, leading to challenges when making hiring decisions and investment plans. Continue »
The International Code Council (ICC) recently released cdpACCESS, a cloud-based tool for code development that will make the process open and transparent to people or entities that may be affected by the codes. The tool allows users to submit code change proposals, stay on top of proposed code changes and offer commentary. It also allows code officials to more easily determine the outcome of proposed code changes.
Green Seal released a proposed standard for Architectural Insulation Materials (GS-54) Feb. 3, as well as the rationale for the standard and a review of thermal insulation products.
Between 240,000 and 360,000 military members transition to civilian life each year. The shift isn’t always easy, leaving many veterans unemployed. To help put them to work, more than 100 construction industry organizations—including Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and many of its members—pledged in 2014 to employ 100,000 veterans by 2019. Continue »
Total construction starts are estimated to rise 13 percent to $675 billion in 2015, according to the 2016 Dodge Construction Outlook. However, the increase largely is due to a 159 percent rise in the electric utility and gas plant category. Without including that category, total construction starts would be estimated to rise 8 percent, which is less than the 11 percent increase recorded in 2014.
Green Seal recently released a revised version of its GS-11 Standard that covers most types of architectural coatings available on the market today. The new standard is a compilation of the previous GS-11 version and the GS-47 Standard for Stains and Finishes.