Workplace accidents can be avoided.
By Kevin J. Harrington and Glenn A. Monk
Without question, New York City, among many other busy cities around the country, is experiencing a building boom. With the rise in construction, more jobs are available for those in the industry. In fact, New York City alone enjoyed a 7 percent increase in construction jobs from 2014 to 2015. Although new construction and new jobs can mean great opportunities for local areas, it also has brought a tragic rise in construction-related injuries and fatalities. Statistics gathered for a 12-month period ending in June 2015, show an increase of 34 percent in construction-related accidents in New York, versus the same timeframe a year earlier. Out of 4,386 worker fatalities in private industry in 2014, 899, or 20.5 percent, were in construction. Attempts to regulate the circumstances giving rise to these accidents has become an increasing priority.
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The Southwest Washington Contractors Association helps companies thrive.
By Alan Dorich
The construction industry can be a difficult business, but for 70 years, the Southwest Washington Contractors Association (SWCA) has helped companies thrive. Based in Vancouver, Wash., the organization helps its members stay profitable and active.
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Technology tools can help manage ready-mix fleets.
By Jeffery Van Grootel
In the world of ready-mix concrete – where the material a driver transports turns to solid and becomes unusable within three hours – timing is crucial. Project managers depend on getting the materials they need exactly when they need it, and at the right consistency. To ensure a quality pour, the material’s journey from the batching plant to the jobsite must include the proper rotation of the mixer drum, and the correct ratio of water versus cementitious material.
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Drones offer several options for thermal imaging.
By Trevor Wichmann
Drones are now being used in a variety of construction and engineering applications, but one area that shows great promise for future use is thermal imaging. The potential applications of this technology reach far beyond construction and into the realms of agriculture, energy, engineering and emergency response.
Many companies are looking to invest in thermal sensors and add thermographic data to their offerings of products and services. For sophisticated companies such as major corporations, construction and engineering firms and energy companies, this makes a lot of sense.
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By Tony Saporito
What do we talk about when we talk about sustainability? For the New York City union mechanical contracting community, the companies that design, install and service the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems (HVAC) in buildings, sustainability means embracing new technology that reduces energy consumption while providing optimal indoor air quality for buildings and their occupants.
As the world becomes more cognizant of environmental issues and our carbon footprint, researchers are also finding that the cognitive health of building occupants is an important piece of the puzzle, particularly when it comes to installing and properly maintaining energy-efficient HVAC systems.
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By Lad Dawson
Disruptive technologies continuously impact daily life as organizations and individuals embrace advancements to work faster and smarter. Developments in mobile technology have redefined everything from the way banking is conducted to how social interactions occur. Technologies applied by companies like Uber and Lyft have changed how travel is approached. The construction industry, however, has been slow to adopt innovative, game-changing developments.
To propel projects from multiple angles, developers and general contractors need look no further than the modular building industry. Harnessing advances in this niche has the power to transform construction as we know it. Given strong demand for new development, a limited labor supply and persistent project management pressures, disruptive modular technology addresses the many risks that threaten to derail a project and delay a return on investment.
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By Sarah Biser
Are design/build construction contracts legal in New York for both public and private projects? Surprisingly, the answer is not a simple yes or no.
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By Ron Beck
Today’s generation of estimators and engineers are under pressure to do more with less resources and adapt quickly to change. To do this, it is vital that engineering and construction companies (E&Cs) embrace methodologies to meet customer requirements and cope with new economic conditions.
Estimators with cutting-edge technology – such as integrated economic evaluation software with built-in engineering and cost content – are empowered to rapidly and confidently evaluate capital investment projects early in the design process, understand all the economic implications of engineering decisions and manage projects more effectively.
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