Engineers from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Canada’s Memorial University, and Qatar University are preparing to develop a wireless sensory network that will detect the onset of deterioration in bridges, stadiums, and other structures. A post on Globalconreview.com explains the sensor will help structures ‘feel’ their own vibrations, sagging, and stresses. It…(Read More)
2014 could be a banner year for industrial office space demand. Net demand for industrial space in the U.S. could reach 250 million square feet this year, surpassing the near-record level of 233 million square feet in 2013. That’s according to a report from the NAIOP Research Foundation. “Demand for all types…(Read More)
According to OSHA, only nine percent of people working in construction in the U.S. are women. This includes managerial, professional, and administrative positions. Has anyone parsed the data to determine the number of women who are deemed “bossy?” The ‘Ban Bossy’ campaign initiated by Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg looks to prevent stereotypes of women…(Read More)
Officials at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are assessing feedback from businesses and associations about its plan to make injury records public. OSHA says its rule change is needed so employers can compare track records with their peers. But not everyone agrees. For the past four years, many have voiced opposition to the recommended…(Read More)
“Our biggest challenge today is finding an adequate work force,” explains Al Landes, the newly sworn-in president of the Associated General Contractors of America. “We’ve lost a lot of vocational training. We need all the trades. We’ve got to reintroduce them.” The organization, which leads efforts in setting professional standards for the…(Read More)
March is Women’s History Month, but according to several new studies, gender biases in the workplace still exist. “The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show how an unconscious bias in ‘hiring managers’ can influence them to choose men over women, even when women perform equally well or better…(Read More)
Want to eliminate paperwork and streamline workflows? There’s a construction app for that, and the associate editor of ConstructionBusinessOwner.com has compiled a list of some good ones. Amelia Messamore provides details on apps such as HeavyJob, Payroll Time Entry, and OnSite Punchlist. One of the free apps, the Bosch Toolbox, features a measurement…(Read More)
The World Green Building Council has started to take an in-depth look at how green building strategies can positively affect the health and productivity of office building occupants. At the heart of the research are people, and how their surroundings impact overall health, sick days, employee turnover, and more. A post on GreenBuildingNews.com…(Read More)
Humility and confidence are among the attributes you should insist upon when hiring managers. Top notch construction project managers should also have superior communication skills. “A person who is frequently misinterpreted or who always seems to rub people the wrong way just won’t be the best fit for a management position, states Robyn Tellefsen…(Read More)
A New York-based company is beta-testing robots that can lay bricks and may be coming to a jobsite near you. The semi-autonomous mason machine, or SAM, is being watched closely by construction and robotics professionals alike. “At a full sprint, SAM can lay bricks at speeds comparable to a mason,” says Scott…(Read More)
