Civil Engineers debunk Highway Trust Fund myths

In conjunction with the mid-June launch of a campaign-style website, www.fixthefund.org, and federal construction interests’ Rally for Roads on Capitol Hill, American Society of Civil Engineers’ Becky Moylan offered perspective on past, present and future of the federal transportation program.

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Building agency promotes STEM-wise workforce, code compliance

NBIS

The National Institute of Building Sciences 2013 report, Moving Forward: Findings and Recommendations from the Consultive Council, spans five key areas: The Building Workforce; Guidance on the Use of Non-Potable Water; Understanding the Energy/Water Nexus; Supporting the Existing State and Local Building Regulatory Infrastructure; and, Developing the Business Case for Private Sector Investment in Hazard Mitigation.

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Building Trades raise red flag on proposed EPA carbon dioxide regulations

Responding last month to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to curb existing power plant carbon dioxide emissions (2005 levels) nearly one-third over the next 15 years, AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department Sean McGarvey reviewed implications:

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OSHA and NLRB Update Referral Agreement

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Labor Relations Board have implemented a joint referral agreement to redirect to the NLRB OSHA complainants whose claims of discrimination under the OSH Act are time barred, but may form the basis of timely unfair labor practice charges under the National Labor Relations Act. NLRB Associate General Counsel Anne Purcell disclosed the accord in a May memorandum.

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OSHA programs interactive training tool identifying site, workplace hazards

OSHA

Timed with the American Society of Safety Engineers conference last month in Orlando, Fla., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration released an interactive training tool to help small businesses effectively identify hazards in the workplace. Employers and workers can virtually explore how to identify common workplace hazards in the construction and manufacturing industries. Users will learn hazard identification skills, plus hazard abatement and control.

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NRMCA’s Richard D. Gaynor, 1931-2014

Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

A 42-year NRMCA and National Aggregates Association veteran, widely recognized for contributions to development of cement, concrete strength and durability testing, plus returned mix and truck wash water reuse standards, Richard Gaynor died July 16 in Maryland.

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Insulated concrete form leaders charter new association

Source: Council of Insulated Concrete Forms Industries, Toronto

Nudura Corp., Logix Insulated Concrete Forms Ltd., Quad-Lock Building Systems Ltd. and Superform Products Ltd.—cumulatively representing the majority of North American insulated concrete form products shipments—are the founding members of the Council of Insulated Concrete Forms Industries (CICFI).

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Commission launches boom truck operator certification

Source: National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO), Fairfax, Va. 

The first phase of a new program, CCO Boom Truck—Fixed Cab (BTF) operator certification is now available for businesses operating fleets with truck-mounted cranes. The CCO Boom Truck—Fixed Cab (BTF) written exam is a modified version of the CCO Telescopic Boom—Fixed Cab (TSS) written exam. 

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