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)
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)
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)
Hiring managers should expect to see a growing interest in HB-1 visas next year. The visas, which allow non-citizen workers to meet certain criteria to work in the U.S., will become available through the federal government on April 1, 2014. Only 65,000 such credentials will be allocated, and demand is high…(Read More)
Several jobs that made this list from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are construction-related. And what’s also noteworthy is these dangerous jobs don’t pay very much. For instance, roofers, construction laborers, and structural iron and steel workers all have high fatality rates due to falls. The pay in each of…(Read More)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing changes to its recordkeeping that may not be well-received by employers. The amendment wouldn’t necessitate additional steps, but would add requirements for the electronic submission of injury and illness information employers are already mandated to keep. Joe Mont, a reporter for ComplianceWeek.com, explains that…(Read More)
Transferring liability and additional endorsements can be tricky for construction companies that work with subcontractors. To add to the confusion, the courts often get involved when claims are filed. The Lockton Companies, which provides insurance and employee benefits, has produced a short slide deck on the topic. Lockton concludes that two recent court decisions are…(Read More)
