July 25, 2017 – Concrete Products

OSHA gives crane stakeholders another year for operator certification

July 25, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.; CP staff

As industry observers hoped and anticipated, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has moved its crane operator certification deadline back a full year from a November 10, 2017 target. The compliance extension follows the agency’s early-July announcement that it would exempt operators of monorail hoists—also known as A frames and typically deployed in precast concrete delivery—from the crane operator certification rule.

Noise control specialist acquires SoundBlox masonry proprietor Proudfoot

July 25, 2017 Concrete News

Source: Sound Seal, Agawam, Mass.

Sound Seal, a leader in acoustical and noise control products for industrial, architectural, commercial and construction markets, has acquired Connecticut-based Proudfoot Co., a pioneer in sound-absorbing concrete masonry.

OSHA programs application for Form 300A data submission

July 25, 2017 Concrete News

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA plans an August 1 launch for the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), a web-based form allowing employers to electronically submit injury and illness data from their 2016 Form 300A. The agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking in June to extend the data submission deadline to December 2017 to afford affected entities sufficient time to familiarize the electronic reporting system, and the Trump Administration an opportunity to review the new electronic reporting requirements.

New FHWA index measures materials’ steady cost escalation

July 25, 2017 Concrete News

Sources: Federal Highway Administration; CP staff

The new National Highway Construction Cost Index, dubbed NHCCI 2.0 following major methodological revisions to improve accuracy, shows asphalt, concrete and metal prices rising 107 percent, 61 percent and 45 percent, respectively, from 2003 to 2016.

ACI Council forum to spotlight algae-based binder, CO2-formed aggregate

July 25, 2017 Concrete News

Source: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.

The ACI Foundation’s Strategic Development Council has scheduled showcases on new binder and aggregate developments, plus pavement joint testing methods during its Technology Forum 42, September 6-7 in Reston, Va.: