Construction Superintendent is the first and only magazine for commercial construction superintendents. An educational and informative publication, Construction Superintendent is the commercial builders' source for current news, technology, and methods for the construction field.
Group Will Help Contractors Cut Emissions From Bulldozers, Forklifts and Other Heavy Construction Equipment & Reduce Diesel Fuel Consumption
Kentucky and western-Pennsylvania-based chapters belonging to the Associated General Contractors of America will invest nearly $3.7 million this year to cut diesel emissions from construction equipment currently. The groups are making the investment to improve air quality thanks to almost $3 million in new federal grants they were awarded under the EPA's National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program.
FOLSOM, CA - The California Independent System Operator Corporation (California ISO) recently awarded Clark Design/Build of California, Inc., a $110 million design-build contract for its new headquarters. The project will exemplify California ISO's commitment to the environment, with the goal of achieving LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and an Energy Star rating over 80.
The 278,000 square-foot project will create a permanent headquarters for California ISO, a non-profit, public-benefit corporation. The organization operates the state's wholesale transmission grid, providing open and non-discriminatory access supported by a competitive energy market and comprehensive planning efforts.
Washington, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced on August 12 that it received a $624,300 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for construction apprenticeship training. The money, from DOL’s Advancing Registered Apprenticeship into the 21st Century program, was awarded to ABC’s Trimmer Education Foundation and will be divided among six ABC chapters and partnerships to expand employment opportunities for those interested in pursing a career in construction, including minorities, women and displaced workers.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in an effort to crack down on fraudulent trainers, is continuing to strengthen the integrity of its 36-year-old Outreach Training Program by publishing an "Outreach Trainer Watch List" of those who have had their trainer authorizations either revoked or suspended.
OSHA recently conducted an undercover investigation as part of its heightened effort to address fraudulent activity by trainers authorized through the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The investigation of a 10-hour course conducted by Don Barker, environmental health and safety director for Thor Construction in Las Vegas, revealed several examples of failure to comply with program guidelines. Barker's infractions included submitting falsified information regarding the instructional time spent on the topics, failing to collect and retain required documentation and inappropriately advising students not to contact OSHA to report hazards.
Building-related provisions in act have environmental and economic benefits
Washington, D.C. – With the encouragement of Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) conducted a study to determine how many jobs in the design and construction industry could be created if the American Clean Energy Security Act (H.R. 2454; also known as the Waxman-Markey Bill) is enacted. The study analyzes two provisions included in the House-passed Act, the State Energy and Environment Development (SEED) program and the Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods (GREEN) program. Using studies that measure the extent of job creation in the building industry, the findings estimate that as many as 270,000 jobs could be created or saved if the building-related provisions in H.R. 2454 become law.
ELYRIA, OHIO – August 2009 – The RIDGID® 2-in-1 Close Quarters AUTOFEEDTM Cutter combines the RIDGID® Model 118 Close Quarters AUTOFEED Cutter with a ratchet handle that allows for easier cutting in tight, restricted spaces.
The cutter can be used alone or with the ratchet handle. The handle, a light and ergonomic accessory, can be attached to the cutter and operated in ratchet steps as small as 10 degrees, allowing for fine indexing of the cutter to operate in tight spaces where the cutter cannot be rotated by hand.
GSA Projects Will Yield Higher-Performing, Money-Saving, Greener Federal Buildings
WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration marked a major milestone in its implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as it brought its total investments in construction projects to more than $1 billion.
“Given the intent of the Recovery Act to stimulate the economy and put people back to work, we set a very aggressive goal to obligate our first $1 billion by the end of July,” said GSA Acting Administrator Paul Prouty. “With that goal met, our focus now is to continue to get shovels in the ground as quickly as possible.”
ELYRIA, OHIO – August 2009 – The RIDGID® 2-in-1 Close Quarters AUTOFEEDTM Cutter combines the RIDGID® Model 118 Close Quarters AUTOFEED Cutter with a ratchet handle that allows for easier cutting in tight, restricted spaces. 
