Agencies seek employer counsel disclosures, shorter union petition–election windows

A late-June, National Labor Relations Board-proposed rulemaking would take steps likely cutting the union representation election period from an average of 45–60 days to 10–21 days, according to Washington, D.C.-based Associated Builders & Contractors, while severely limiting an employer’s ability to effectively communicate to workers the impact of unionization.

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Formwork failure-rooted fatality, injuries draw proposed $160K fine

Officials of Occupational Safety & Health Administration Region 5 (Chicago) have cited Schofield, Wis., concrete contractor Lewis Construction Inc. and Menomonie, Wis., general contractor Cedar Falls Building Systems for failing to adequately brace formwork while pouring a 10-in thick, 10- x 28-ft. concrete wall. The structure was part of a proposed Chippewa Falls, Wis., sand plant for Houston-based natural gas producer EOG Resources; its collapse resulted in the death of one Lewis Construction employee and injuries to three others.

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Industry stands firm against proposed Hours of Service rule changes

Editor’s note: The author is the Chief Financial Officer and co-principal of family-owned J.J. Kennedy Inc., a Fombell, Pa., ready mixed producer with six plants and a 32-mixer fleet. This is adapted from testimony he presented on behalf of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association at “Do Not Enter: How Proposed Hours of Service Trucking Rules are a Dead End for Small Businesses,” a mid-June hearing on Capitol Hill.

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Onboard scale

Smart Scale system is now available for trucks and tractor-trailer combinations with air-ride or mechanical suspensions. The Smart Scale system features a wireless handheld receiver to allow drivers to maximize payloads and avoid overweight tickets in field loading applications such as aggregate hauling and liquid/dry bulk hauling.

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Fluid Strain Gauge

ForceMeter uses proven strain gauge technology to sense the force of the fluid in the flow stream. The integrated display offers an easy-to-read, two-line display for flow rate and total. With no frictional moving parts and all-welded construction, the gauge provides exceptional reliability and durability.

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FLEET COMMUNICATIONS

Networkfleet Connect is a robust set of field management capabilities that seamlessly integrate with compatible Garmin navigation devices. With Connect, fleet managers can assign jobs, dispatch drivers to specific destinations, provided turn-by-turn directions and communicate with drivers in real time, all via the driver’s in-cab Garmin device.

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