ARTBA Foundation Announces College Financial Assistance to Children of Fallen Highway Workers

Published on May 23, 2013 in Construction Digest, Constructioneer, Daily Dirt, Dixie Contractor, Industry Activities, National and New England Construction. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

image001The children of highway workers killed or permanently disabled on the job will receive financial assistance in their pursuit of higher education thanks to scholarships announced by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF).

Students from Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania have been named 2013 recipients of the ARTBA-TDF’s “Lanford Family Highway Worker Memorial Scholarship.”  The program was established in 1999 with a gift from two Roanoke, Va. highway contractors and their companies—Stan Lanford (1999 ARTBA chairman) of Lanford Brothers, and Jack Lanford (1991 ARTBA chairman), with Adams Construction Company.

On average, about 100 highway workers are killed every year on the job or in roadway construction work zone accidents. The 2013 class includes:

Vybav Hiraesave, Dover, Del.

Vybav’s father, Vasuki Hiraesave, was killed in an accident while working as an employee of the Delaware Department of Transportation in March 2006.  Vybav is a sophomore at the University of Delaware and is majoring in chemical engineering.

Lyndsay Morgan, Daytona Beach, Fla.           

Lyndsay’s father, Steven Morgan, was killed in a November 2011 accident while working on Interstate 75 in Florida.  In the fall, Lyndsay will attend Florida Gulf Coast University and major in athletic training.

Haley Ward, Tell City, Ind.

Haley’s father, Ronald Ward, was killed on the job in 2005 while working maintenance for the Indiana Department of Transportation.  Haley will be attending University of Southern Indiana in the fall and plans to major in biology.

Dallas Jones, Bluffton, Ind.

Dallas’ father, Dale Jones, was killed in a December 2009 accident while working as an employee of the Indiana Department of Transportation.  Dallas attends the Indiana Institute of Technology and is majoring in computer science.

Grant Horn, Whitesburg, Ky.

Grant’s dad, Greg Horn, was killed in 1997 during a drilling accident while working on a state highway construction project.  Grant will attend the Lincoln College of Technology in the fall, majoring in automotive diesel technology.

Alexis Keefe, Wyalusing, Pa.

Alexis’ dad, Bret Keefe, was killed in a car accident in 2001 while working for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.  She will attend Bentley University in the fall and pursue a business degree.

The ARTBA-TDF is interested in receiving contact leads on students who could benefit from the scholarship program.  Please share them with ARTBA Scholarship and Awards Manager Holly DiGangi at hdigangi@artba.org.  Individuals and firms interested in supporting the scholarship program can do so by sending a check payable to: ARTBA-TDF, 1219 28th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007.

Established in 1985, the ARTBA-TDF is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity to promote research, education and public awareness.  It supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, roadway work zone safety and training programs and special economic reports.

New AEM English and Spanish skid steer safety e-books join updated print manuals

Published on May 23, 2013 in Daily Dirt and Equipment & Products. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

AEM_logo_wo_cmykMultiple formats reach more equipment users, provide added convenience 

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has extensively updated its popular Skid Steer Safety Manual and now also offers e-book versions in English and Spanish. (The print manuals are available in English and a flipbook-style English/Spanish version).

Much of the skid steer safety manuals’ text has been rewritten and the graphics have been updated to be more inclusive of all styles of skid steer loaders. The safety information contains several key additions, including new content on Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel hazards and hazards involving masked visibility areas around the machine.

“With a variety of information platforms and multiple languages, equipment users and companies can choose what is most convenient for their training needs: electronic or print, English or Spanish, or a combination,” said Jonathan Rydz, AEM’s safety materials manager.

The manuals are available through the online AEM store (http://shop.aem.org) with the e-book versions also available directly through the Apple iTunes Book Store (https://itunes.apple.com).

Growing Safety E-book Library  Covers Variety of Equipment

AEM safety e-books feature user-friendly options such as variable type, bookmarks, the ability to embed and e-mail notes, content searching and a low-light reading format. The e-books are not meant to replace print but provide equipment users with more options to practice safety on the jobsite. AEM safety materials are meant to supplement not replace manufacturer materials.

AEM has several other safety e-books available (aerial platform, agricultural sprayer, hydraulic excavator, industrial/agricultural mower). It plans to add more to the iBookstore, as well as expand into other e-book platforms to increase availability.

AEM – The Place for Manufacturer-Developed Safety Materials

The association’s extensive series of safety manuals, videos and related safety training materials promote safety awareness in cost-effective, easy-to-follow formats. Drawing from the combined experience of manufacturers dedicated to safe equipment operation, these materials describe basic, job-oriented hazards and safety procedures.

AEM also offers an online searchable database of “industry-recognized” pictorial illustrations for voluntary use in design of equipment safety signs, manuals and other training materials.

All association manuals, videos and related safety and training products are available online through the AEM Store at http://shop.aem.org. Some safety materials are offered in downloadable files or in DVD format. AEM members receive discounts on select materials.

ABC Reports: FIRST QUARTER 2013 CBI DECLINES 1.1 PERCENT, NATION’S NONRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY REMAINS SPORADIC

Published on May 22, 2013 in Daily Dirt. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Construction_Backlog_Indicator(2)Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today reports that its Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) remained unchanged at 8 months from the third quarter through the fourth quarter of 2012; however, it is up 2.4 percent compared to a year ago. CBI is measured in months and reflects the amount of construction work under contract, but not yet completed by nonresidential contractors.

“As with the broader economic recovery, the rebound of the nation’s nonresidential construction industry remains sporadic and stymied by a myriad factors, including tight credit, heightened caution among private developers and public policymakers, and a still struggling global economy,” stated ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.

“Because a growing number of projects are now in various stages of planning, the expectation is that backlog will expand moderately later in 2013, but construction volumes will be roughly flat for the balance of the year,” Basu said.

“Certain nonresidential construction segments, such as energy generation, infrastructure, retail and lodging, appear to be doing well,” remarked Basu. “But, this activity alone is not enough to counter the poor performance of other construction sectors, and is unable to expand rapidly in the absence of a dynamic economic recovery.

CBI Map of Regions and Backlog Months: Q4 2011 v. Q4 2012

To read more about the 2013 1st Quarter CBI, click here.

To view the charts and graphs, click here.

New at ICUEE 2013: mobile hydraulics courses broaden industry education scope

Published on May 21, 2013 in Daily Dirt, Events, Industry Activities and National. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

header2header1

The latest from ICUEE 2013-The Demo Expo: new mobile hydraulics courses join a growing roster of industry education at the show to provide attendees more options to fit their learning needs.

ICUEE, the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition, will be held October 1-3, 2013 at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) in Louisville, Kentucky,

“For 2013 we’ve gathered together more industry perspectives and input; ICUEE is already known as a top-quality show and the result will be an even more well-rounded industry event,” stated Show Director Sara Truesdale Mooney.

Most of the equipment on display at ICUEE uses hydraulics for most or all of its power and motion. For ICUEE 2013, two mobile hydraulics courses will be offered, both conducted by a professional, certified instructor and presented by Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine. One course teaches attendees the basics of hydraulics — principles, components, and systems. The other course explores essential concepts to ensure that hydraulic systems operate at peak efficiency and reliability.

The iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo returns to ICUEE 2013; it’s the utility industry’s leading education event for safety, training and operations professionals, produced by Incident Prevention Magazine.

And UCT-Underground Construction Technology is once again co-locating its quality educational programming at ICUEE related to underground construction and rehabilitation infrastructure.

Attendees can also take advantage of these new education co-locations at ICUEE 2013, previously announced:

  • Asset Management Symposium from the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) – its annual forum sharing new and innovative solutions for fleet asset management
  • Cured-in-Place Pipe Good Practices course from the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT), geared to both experienced and new-to-the-field trenchless professionals

ICUEE is held every two years and covers more than one million net square feet of exhibits of the latest equipment, technologies, products and services related to utility construction and rehabilitation. It is known for extensive hands-on equipment demonstrations in job-like conditions. The show serves an audience of utility professionals and utility construction contractors in the electric, telecommunications, cable, water, wastewater, and natural gas sectors.

Visit www.icuee.com for more details.

Volvo Rents Expands Texas Footprint with New Store in Selma

Published on May 17, 2013 in Daily Dirt and Texas Contractor. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

VolvoVolvo Rents, a worldwide provider of small-to-medium sized construction equipment, has opened a new rental center in Selma, Texas.

This is the latest move in the company’s continued expansion of its Texas rental business portfolio, increasing its statewide total to 12 rental centers.

It also comes on the heels of a recent report by the Associated General Contractors of America that says Texas leads the nation in the increase of construction jobs.

“Despite a recession that has been challenging for all those in the construction industry, we’ve remained confident in our brand and invested in our future,” said Mike Crouch, Vice President of Business Development for Volvo Rents. “We’ve been quietly growing our business in Texas throughout the downturn and look forward to playing an integral part in the state’s economic recovery.”

In addition to Volvo Rents’ expanding line of Volvo compact equipment – such as backhoe and skid steer loaders, compact wheel loaders, compact excavators and compaction equipment – the rental center carries a comprehensive line of essential equipment and tools for the construction, commercial, industrial and homeowner markets. The focus is on daily, weekly and monthly rentals.

Located at 9492 Corporate Drive, the new store is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm. 24-hour service is also available every day of the week.