In today’s ever-evolving world of employment law, it is far from an easy task for construction industry employers to operate their business while successfully navigating all of the potential legal potholes that continue to abound and multiply seemingly with every passing day. This is particularly true in the face of the onslaught of claims lodged…
Adoption of project management and data collection technology will not only make contractors’ operations more efficient but could reduce the risk of litigation as well, according to Resolution Management Consultants of Marlton, New Jersey. Three main construction technology categories that have the biggest potential to reduce the chances of contractors and owners fighting it out in court…
Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and the construction industry is not without its opportunities to automate processes and adopt the latest industry advancements. The increased availability of partially automated vehicles is the latest example of how companies everywhere can improve the efficiency and safety of their fleets. But that doesn’t mean contractors should…
Houston’s business climate and energy-rich workforce base has long supported its position as The Energy Capital of the World. Both were major discussion topics at the Partnership’s annual State of Energy event on Oct. 9. Mike Wirth, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Chevron, headlined the event by participating in a fireside chat with Bobby Tudor, chairman of…
A new study has found that slow payments are costing general contractors and subcontractors $64 billion a year. This is a $24 billion increase from the 2018 study from construction finance platform Rabbet, formerly Contract Simply, as the company added general contractors to the respondent mix. Rabbet conducted the study in partnership with Procore Technologies and found that the 51-day…
A new study from Dodge Data & Analytics and Sevan Multi-Site Solutions found that owners and contractors don’t see eye to eye about key factors of how a successful multi-site construction campaign plays out, though a positive relationship stemmed from solid communication is the single most important factor. A multi-site project entails an owner orchestrating work…
An architect and engineer present a case study and give advice on how to be sustainable and cost-effective at the same time. The term “net-zero” often brings to mind big budgets and expensive building systems, but this conception couldn’t be further from the truth. As architects and engineers, we have everything we need to design…
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced two rule changes that could reduce the permitting process for the department’s construction projects to two years. Both are effective as interim policies as of Aug. 23, but the department is accepting comments until Sept. 23. The first policy change mandates that both draft and final environmental impact…
New initiative seen as essential to enhancing sustainability in areas of design, procurement, assets and infrastructure. In support of the City of Houston’s Climate Action Plan and in keeping with its commitment to being recognized as a “five-star, global air service gateway where the magic of flight is celebrated,” the Houston Airport System (HAS) is promoting…
Texas Central announced on Friday that it has entered into a design-build agreement for its $20 billion high-speed rail project between Houston and Dallas with the joint venture of Italian civil engineering contractor Salini Impregilo and The Lane Construction Corp., a U.S. division of Salini. The value of the JV’s work is estimated at $14 billion, which…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has finalized its June 27, 2017, proposal to revise the construction and shipyards standards. In the final rule, to be published on September 30, 2019, OSHA: Does not implement the proposal to revoke all of the standards’ ancillary provisions; but Extends the compliance dates for…
Working with or near power lines can expose workers to electrical hazards, but these dangers can be avoided through safe work practices. These practical steps can prevent injuries from contact with power lines. Conduct a hazard assessment to identify and address potential safety hazards before work begins. Ask the electric company to de-energize and ground…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Kinder Morgan Inc. – an energy infrastructure company based in Houston, Texas – to pay a former employee back wages, damages, and attorney’s fees after an investigation found that the company violated the whistleblower provisions of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA)….
OSHA has placed a heavy burden on construction operations to adhere to stringent safety regulations. All workplaces must conform to the agencies guidelines and standards. Proper tool usage, safety equipment, training, and hazard notices all seem like common sense practices. But many worker duties can evolve quickly and pulling a safety trainer to update each…
(StatePoint) Whatever industry you work in and no matter what your role is, it’s possible you have wondered how emerging technologies will affect your job in the years to come or whether you’ll even have to switch careers entirely at some point. Experts say that while such concerns are understandable, embracing the newest tech can…
Access to reliable, affordable energy has completely transformed how people live, communicate, travel, conduct business, build infrastructure and so much more. And in the coming decades, even more people will need access to the transformative power of energy. ExxonMobil’s 2019 Outlook for Energy serves as the company’s latest analysis on how the world will use…
Off-site construction isn’t necessarily new. But new products and techniques are helping to improve housing construction. And the primary disruptor in home building — a lack of skilled labor — is prompting today’s builders to turn to alternative methods. The result is a ripple effect leading to additional disruptors in how homes are built. “Off-site…
Real estate development in Houston throughout its history has been mostly unremarkable, the minimum product of pro formas and adherence to the city’s slipshod patchwork of building, site plan, traffic, and parking ordinances. The only notable interruption in the pattern of averages was during the go-go years of the 1970s and 1980s when, according to…
The planned expansion of the truck gate at Port Houston’s Barbours Cut Container Terminal is set to begin after approval of a contract for the work by the Port Commission. The project consists of about 23 acres of new pavement at the existing Barbours Cut Terminal. Major components of work include demolition of existing pavement…
Joined by mobility partners, disability advocates, law enforcement representatives and first responders, Mayor Sylvester Turner today signed an executive order to adopt Vision Zero Houston, a plan to end traffic deaths and serious injuries caused by crashes on Houston roads by the year 2030. The policy marks a significant step in the city’s evolving mobility…
