ASCC becomes first contractor group to join World Cement Association

Sources: American Society for Concrete Contractors, St. Louis; CP staff The American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) is the newest World Cement Association Affiliate Member, bringing front-line perspective to the technical and industry organizations comprising the third of three WCA member categories, alongside Corporate and Associate Corporate. Through education and advocacy efforts, ASCC aims to empower concrete contractors to achieve…

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U.S. Silica pigment competitively edges titanium dioxide

Texas-based U.S. Silica Holdings Inc. has launched a newly engineered pigment for cementitious products and other building applications, underscoring the material’s capacity to partially replace or augment other inorganic high-white compounds like titanium dioxide (TiO2) and aluminum trihydrate. Finished in 1.3-, 2.4- or 5.8 average particle size grades, EverWhite Pigment features hardness and durability properties mirroring the functionality of high…

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Workplace heat-safety measures: Training vs. temperature triggers

Ahead of a month or more of vacation for some Washington, D.C. regulars, the White House instructed the Department of Labor to issue a first ever Hazard Alert in response to an unusually hot July. The agency will ramp up enforcement of heat-safety violations, increasing inspections in high-risk industries like construction, while its Occupational Safety and Health Administration belabors a…

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Concrete Contractors chime in on portland-limestone cement mixes

Sources: American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis; CP staff The American Society of Concrete Contractors has kicked off a members-only “ALERT!” bulletin series with a look at portland-limestone cement concrete mixes. The two-page document reminds Society members how any new mix ingredient can trigger changes in concrete performance; lists variations contractors have reported with PLC mix loads; offers finishing…

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Tech giants embrace carbon-optimized concrete for data centers

In “Greener Concrete for Data Centers,” an open letter posted at https://climateaccord.org, iMasons Climate Accord leaders Amazon Web Services, Google, Meta Platforms and Microsoft implore their industry to work together to a) Deliver a technology roadmap to decarbonize concrete; b) Set standard carbon dioxide emissions measurement baselines to measure against; c) Drive transparency through Environmental Product Declarations; and, d) Create…

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Concrete Contractors charter Sustainability Committee

Sources: American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis; CP staff Former American Society of Concrete Contractors Executive Director Bev Garnant, HACI, and Technical Director Bruce Suprenant, FACI, P.E., have been retained to develop and manage the group’s recently formed Sustainability Committee.   “This initiative has two purposes,” says Garnant. “The first is to collaborate with the Portland Cement Association, National Ready…

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Pumping contractor campaign clarifies concrete site safety responsibilities

The American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) launched a major safety campaign at World of Concrete 2023 to bring heightened awareness of ASME B30.27, the Safety Standard for Material Placement Systems. “Safer Together: Prevent. Protect. Partner!” highlights the responsibilities of each trade working with or around a concrete pump under the standard toward the ultimate goal of keeping every person on…

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Concrete Contractors advance Hard Hats-to-Helmets proposition

Sources: American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis; CP staff The ASCC Education, Research & Development Foundation has launched www.hardhatstohelmets.org with an eye to elevating construction worker safety provisions. The site is dedicated to promoting an industry shift from traditional head protection gear to a chin strap-outfitted alternative engineered to perform under a greater variety of incidents and worker maneuvers.…

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ORGANIZATIONS

The American Concrete Institute-aligned NEU: Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete has named Dean Frank, P.E. as executive director, following prior roles as NEU director of Validation and ACI program developer. He brings extensive experience in sustainability, International Standards Organization standards, and certification development of personnel, products and concrete operations. Prior to ACI, Frank gained a comprehensive working knowledge…

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Campaign clarifies safety responsibilities in concrete pumping operations

Sources: American Concrete Pumping Association, Lewis Center, Ohio; CP staff The American Concrete Pumping Association launched a major campaign at World of Concrete 2023, Las Vegas, to heighten awareness of ASME B30.27, Safety Standard for Material Placement Systems. With the ultimate goal of keeping every person on a job site safe, the campaign highlights accident and injury prevention measures for…

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