How can you manage risk in industrial construction projects? While there’s no way to avoid accidents, pre-construction and financial threats are two of the areas that should be evaluated before a job begins. “We recommend managing risk in four stages – identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring,” says Tricia Corcuera of DRAXware Solutions, a construction…(Read More)
The jobless rate has dropped to a five-year low, as unemployment in the U.S. fell to seven percent last month. The stronger than expected November figures brought good news for the construction and energy sectors. Bloomberg.com reports that factories took on the most workers since March 2012, employment in construction accelerated, and…(Read More)
Employers that provide smartphones for workers in the field will want to make note of this article on Equipmentworld.com. It will also be helpful for holiday shoppers. Writer Wayne Grayson recommends five tougher-than-nails phone cases that should withstand construction elements such as excessive dust and water. Think hard plastic screen protectors.  …(Read More)
The green building movement has reached an exciting point. That’s the consensus of experts at Greenbuild, the world’s largest conference and expo that was recently convened in Philadelphia. The event, which featured Hillary Clinton and Jon Bon Jovi, addressed scalability and LEED v4 technology. http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/11/25…(Read More)
Economists are making some optimistic predictions for the construction sector. “The McGraw Hill Construction forecast for 2014 is certainly on the bright side, calling for a nine percent increase in construction starts next year. It also predicts strong double-digit growth in the dollar value of single-family housing, multifamily housing, and commercial buildings,” according…(Read More)
It was all about greed. Six people were killed and 13 others injured when a building in downtown Philly was being demolished earlier this year. District Attorney Seth Williams alleges contractor Griffin Campbell ignored safety rules so he could profit by selling joists and other dismantled parts of the four-story building. Williams said several…(Read More)
Labor and materials are continuing to boost the cost of construction projects in North America. For nearly two years, prices have increased as employers worry about the shortage of skilled workers. The data comes from the Engineering and Construction Cost Index (ECCI), which registered at 53.2 percent in November, up .6 percent from the…(Read More)
Men who lost their jobs are rejoining the workforce at a slower pace than their female counterparts. That’s because of the sluggishness in male-dominated fields, including construction and manufacturing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that men lost six million jobs during the recession and only 70 percent have been filled…(Read More)
It’s all about apps. Construction professionals are replacing their toolboxes with technology this holiday season. Here are dozens of interesting apps for industry pros, from Construction Master Pro Developer created by Calculated Industries to Field Supervisor from Bentley Systems. Most are freebies; a few are priced at $19.99. Happy shopping! http://www…(Read More)
Insurance experts contend a lack of documentation on alleged construction defects is problematic. A company’s inability to quickly locate records brings long-lasting headaches to executives. Litigation can take years, and construction companies are finding out that documents are often missing, or inaccurate. http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20131120/NEWS07/131129973?tags=|308…(Read More)