Concrete trades near tops in AGC survey tracking widespread labor shortages

Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Nearly 90 percent of 1,350-plus respondents to an industry-wide AGC survey—conducted in July and August—report trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as demand for construction continues to rebound in many markets. Seventy-nine percent of responding firms nationwide cite difficulty filling one or more of 21 hourly craft professional positions, particularly carpenters (73 percent of firms that employ carpenters report difficulty), followed by sheet metal installers (65 percent) and concrete workers (63 percent).

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EPA RainWorks Challenge contenders test best stormwater management practices

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff

Open for registration throughout September, EPA’s fourth annual Campus RainWorks Challenge compels undergraduate and graduate students to design green infrastructure systems to reduce stormwater pollution. Such systems include permeable pavement materials, rain-harvesting vessels and vegetated green roofs. Along with companion practices, EPA notes, they decrease pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems; increase economic activity, neighborhood revitalization, job creation, and open space; and, reduce local water infrastructure burden, urban heat island effect and energy consumption.

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Smaller displacement Tier 4 engine matches Tier 3 power in heavy duty lift trucks

Sources: Hyster Co., Greenville, N.C.; CP staff

Hyster engineers’ disassembly and in-depth examination of a Tier 4 Cummins QSL9 engine—powering one of the manufacturer’s Big Trucks series forklifts for nearly 10,000 hours—revealed major components, fuel system, turbocharger and block to be in near-perfect condition after three years in a heavy duty application. The results suggest a Cummins Inc. Tier 4 package could complete 20,000 hours of operation before an engine overhaul may be needed, which is equal to the life-to-rebuild of the larger 11-liter QSM11 Tier 3 engine in a similar duty cycle.

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