Construction Association Launches New Nationwide Program To Expand The Diversity Of The Industry By Making Job Sites More Inclusive

Construction Association Launches New Nationwide Program To Expand The Diversity Of The Industry By Making Job Sites More Inclusive

Associated General Contractors of America’s New “Culture of CARE” Program is Designed to Help Firms Create More Welcoming Workplace Environments   The Associated General Contractors of America is launching a new, nationwide program designed to help expand the diversity of the industry by making job sites more inclusive. The new program, called Culture of CARE (commit, attract, retain and empower), is designed to…

Container Activity Slowing at Port Houston First-Quarter Volume Still Up

Container Activity Slowing at Port Houston First-Quarter Volume Still Up

Container activity at Port Houston, the largest container port on the United States Gulf Coast, began slowing in late March as expected as the coronavirus outbreak continued to threaten countries across the globe, including the U.S. Port Houston handled a total of 248,280 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) in March, a drop of 11 percent compared to…

Texas’ Thirteenth Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Texas Central

On the heels of a four-year long court battle, the Thirteenth Court of Appeals of Texas has ruled in favor of Texas Central, holding that it is both a railroad company and interurban electric railway. This legal process stems from landowners along the proposed route in Leon County who argued that the Texas Central project…

Worker Exposure Risk to COVID-19

Worker Exposure Risk to COVID-19

Classifying Worker Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Worker risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during an outbreak may depend in part on the industry type and need for contact within 6 feet of people known to have, or suspected of having, COVID-19. OSHA has divided job tasks into four risk exposure levels,…

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance for Respiratory Protection During N95 Shortage Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance for Respiratory Protection During N95 Shortage Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators (N95 FFRs). The action marks the department’s latest step to ensure the availability of respirators and follows President Donald J. Trump’s Memorandum on Making General Use Respirators Available. Due…

Texas Oil and Natural Gas Industry Launches Coalition to Develop Industry-Led Solutions to Minimize Flaring and Methane Emissions

An alliance of Texas oil and natural gas trade associations, along with nearly 40 Texas energy companies, today announced they have formed a coalition to work together on environmental progress. Focused on industry-led solutions to minimize flaring and methane emissions, the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition (the Coalition) will collectively identify and promote operational and…

MASK AMBITION

MASK AMBITION

A chance Facebook friendship between an Atlanta-based physician and a digital transformation expert from ExxonMobil could help unlock a wave of medical masks that health care workers need to help treat patients with COVID-19. Justin Sink, a digital transformation and innovation advisor at ExxonMobil, saw a March 19 Facebook post from his friend Dr. Susan…

USING NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO REDUCE METHANE EMISSIONS

Reducing methane emissions in oil and gas operations is an important way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Advances in technology can help detect and identify the sources, and improve the ability to respond quickly. But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why ExxonMobil is leading testing for the most promising next-generation methane detection technologies at 1,000 sites in Texas and…

Technology Drives Innovation in the Construction Industry

Construction technology is undoubtedly one of the most exciting pockets of innovation in today’s economy.  Funding in U.S.-based construction technology startups surged by 324 percent to nearly $3.1 billion in 2018, compared with $731 million in 2017, according to Crunchbase data.  Investment spans hardware, software, AI and other exciting technologies.  For too long, the construction…

Supporting Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Supporting Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

To help small businesses, Entergy Texas has created a hub of resources to connect owners to information, tools and opportunities that could help during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Small businesses are the backbone of the communities we serve,” said Steve Pilgrim, director of business and economic development for Entergy Texas. “During these challenging times, we hope…

Council Approves Centerpiece Development for Upcoming Trinity Mills Station

Council Approves Centerpiece Development for Upcoming Trinity Mills Station

Carrollton City Council unanimously approved an agreement for a 125,000-square foot, six-story Class A office structure to serve as the marquee building within new Trinity Mills Station urban development. The City of Carrollton, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), The Integral Group, and Koa Partners signed a Master Development Agreement (MDA) for the entire Trinity Mills…

Post-coronavirus contingency planning for contractors, owners

One would be hard-pressed to find any construction industry player that hasn’t been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While a few U.S. jurisdictions have banned construction work altogether, many more have limited which projects can move forward. However, according to John Robbins, managing director and USA and North America head of real estate for Turner &…

Architect’s Guide to Business Continuity now available

New AIA resource provides guidance for firm resiliency. In an effort to assist architecture firms with navigating adverse business conditions, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing a new resource: Architect’s Guide to Business Continuity. “Firms across the country are facing pressures from all sides—from transitioning offices to teleworking models, to work stoppages, to repositioning…

Architect Standard of Care Relative to Site Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Architect Standard of Care Relative to Site Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Architecture firms are undoubtedly facing many challenges and decisions as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. Most architecture firms are working remotely, either by their own choice or at the direction of local authorities. However, many construction projects are continuing. Architects and their firms that need to provide contract administration services or other contractual…