The Wells Fargo Construction Industry Forecast’s “Optimism Quotient” is at 130, the highest it’s ever been. A score of 100 is considered generally good, and anything below that figure raises concerns in the industry. The last time the Optimism Quotient was at this level was in 2005, when it reached 109.The Wells…(Read More)

Are you familiar with RibMC2, Newforma and Viewpoint? These are the three top software programs for construction managers. Capterra compiled the list, reminding construction employers that technology helps make contractors lives easier by improving workflows and processes. A post on ForConstructionPros.com states that the list is based on number of customers, number of actual…(Read More)

A 30-year study on occupational hearing loss concludes that people working in construction, mining and health care are at the greatest risk for hearing loss. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says some 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise at work, and most cases of hearing loss…(Read More)

A new report from construction research firm CMD brings good news for construction jobs.  The report expects starts of industrial construction projects to increase 7.8 percent this year. The reason? “It is due in large part to reshoring efforts by U.S. manufacturers,” writes digital reporter Andy Szal on Chem.info. He says CMD…(Read More)

Federal charges have been filed by a Brooklyn, New York couple whose home was flooded in 2012 when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. The couple alleges engineering inspection reports were altered. The allegations have been lodged against GEB HiRise, an engineering practice that had been retained by Hartford Insurance Company to inspect homes damaged…(Read More)

When it comes to doing their homework, folks at the Early Childhood Education Zone have risen to the occasion. Their list of America’s Top 50 Playgrounds balances safety, fun, learning, green initiatives, design, special needs and community partnerships. For example, No. 24 is the Can-Do Playground in Wilmington, Delaware. It involved a collaboration…(Read More)

It’s no secret that construction jobs and positions are hard to fill. Employers can try to ease the pain of the labor shortage by creating a safe place to work, constantly training construction workers, and carefully screening job candidates. This post offers good reminders as the industry continues to evolve and regroup. http://www…(Read More)

Author Laurence Gonzales, who wrote the book Deep Survival, has studied disasters such as earthquakes, plane crashes, climbing accidents and terrorist attacks to learn about survival.   Gonzalez dissects the psychological and spiritual transformations of people who seem to beat the odds against nature and science.   He has found that survivors have several common…(Read More)

A new study finds that Hispanics will account for 40 percent of employment growth over the next five years. HIS, an economic forecasting company, says the Hispanic labor-force growth is set to accelerate by an average 2.6 percent over the next 20 years, even as the entire country’s labor force will grow…(Read More)

Thousands of construction companies are expected to take part in OSHA’s second annual “Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction” initiative. The outreach campaign is set for May 4-15, with OSHA hoping to reach some 3 million people working construction jobs. Fatalities caused by falls are the leading cause of death of…(Read More)