May / June 2004

News Flash:  Long awaited continuing education program is now accepting registrations.
 

It's that time again!  Classes are being offered on Saturday,  July 24th and Sunday July 25th, 2004.  Acquire your full 14 hours in 1 weekend!  Interesting speakers will present interesting topics that will provide you with the CILB requirements.  Included each day; workplace safety (OSHA), Worker's Compensation and Business Practices.  Also available: Administrative Core Course for first-timers and the new Advanced Accessibility Course for those who have already taken the Core Course.  Full day courses now include lunch! 
Sign up today!

WHAT'S THE LATEST SCOOP ON THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS? 
The "Totally New Bucs!" 
Find out more by visiting http://www.buccaneers.com.

Study may help protect workers who use vibrating tools
Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin studied cell damage suffered by workers who used vibrating tools for long periods of time, and they say they may have found a drug that can help prevent the syndrome. Tests showed that the calcium channel blocker nifedipine might be successful in protecting workers from permanent damage, the researchers said.   CNN/Reuters

Decorative concrete trend takes off
Concrete is taking on new roles at the hands of contractors who turn it into artistic countertops, floors, window seats and more. New techniques for stamping, patterning and coloring concrete are opening up options for landscapers, interior designers and construction companies seeking to break the mold.  
The Denver Post

How to stem the skilled labor shortage?
As older workers retire from construction, in which the average worker is age 47, the industry is looking for ways to improve its image and attract younger people to skilled labor careers, which many perceive as menial and low-paying. One group is using informational campaigns and apprenticeship programs to raise interest in construction careers, and a Chicago-area technical charter school scheduled to open this fall will prepare students specifically for industry-related colleges or trade schools.   Buildings.com

Robot plumbers aren't as far-fetched as they sound
RedZone Robotics hopes to find success by manufacturing robots that inspect, clean and repair sewer and water pipes and tanks. Many of the company's preliminary clients are municipalities and water and sewer authorities. CEO Eric Close says RedZone's job is "to make it easier for the people doing the [pipe rehabilitation] work to do it easier and more reliably."   American City Business Journals/Pittsburgh

Building Trades Seek Formal Changes to Apprenticeships
Long-running conflicts over the merits and standards of apprenticeship programs between unions and open shop groups may be coming to a head. The AFL-CIO’s Building and Construction Trades Dept. has taken formal action, requesting that the Dept. of Labor establish specific graduation requirements by craft for construction apprenticeship programs. BCTD alleges that nonunion programs sponsored by the Associated Builders and Contractors have "startling failures in the standards and completion rates." The department issued a study of ABC programs in October 2003, highlighting the alleged flaws. For more information visit www.enr.com

Mold-detecting radar explored
ATLANTA, Apr 30, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Researchers in Atlanta are exploring the possibility of using radar to detect mold behind gypsum wallboard that can cause health and structural damage.
Hoping to develop a non-destructive and less expensive method than is now available to detect mold behind walls, Georgia Tech Research Institute scientists are collaborating with humidity control expert Lew Harriman of Mason-Grant Consulting in a two-year feasibility study.
Researchers are conducting experiments on damp, mold-infested wallboard panels. Initially, they are using a signal processing algorithm and high-sensitivity, laboratory-size radar system recently developed by GTRI.
They will determine the feasibility of using millimeter-wave, extremely high-resolution radar to detect mold in these panels based on unique characteristics of the mold backscatter signature. Also, Harriman will investigate the possibility that X-ray and gamma-ray technologies might work.
Ultimately, the researchers hope to produce a handheld prototype unit to lay the technical foundation for a commercial product for purchase by contractors which would be easy to learn to use.
If left unattended, mold can destroy structures and cause serious health problems.
www.enr.com

Slow cement flow leaves South Florida builders stuck
The South Florida construction business is being hit hard by a short supply of concrete, with some home builders, boat dock contractors and pool manufacturers reporting waits of up to 10 days for supplies. Contractors say the price per cubic yard has increased about $5 during the past six weeks and more increases are expected. The slowdown is due to a reduction in the production of cement, reports say.   The Miami Herald

Cement slow-down causes increase in prices
As cement shortages that started in the Southeast begin to spread through the rest of the nation, inevitable price increases are following, with some companies reporting increases on average of 7% to 10%. Demand in 2003 was so strong that many cement companies had to import supplies, but Asia's booming market has tied up shipping, leaving fewer available ships to bring cement to the U.S.   Engineering News-Record

New cement plant may ease burden on Florida builders
Contractors in South Florida have been struggling with a materials shortage that has driven up costs, but many are hopeful a $225 million cement plant set to open next month will ease some of the pressure. When Titan America, which owns the new plant, had operational problems at some of its other facilities, the effects were felt across the region. "All of a sudden, people realize that nothing is built in the state of Florida that doesn't involve concrete," said the company's president for Florida business.   Miami Today

Concrete Industry is Seeing Green
Like others in construction, the concrete industry is seeking ways to introduce green building principles. On the road to instituting more green practices, the concrete sector will likely face many of the same obstacles encountered by others in the construction industry, including increased costs.
www.newyork.construction.com