The world is talking about women in the workplace thanks to movements such as #metoo. Women of color who work in construction or trade industries make 30 percent more than they would as administrative assistants, child care providers or domestic help (all industries with a prevalence of women of color). Similarly, research by McKinsey and Company has found that diverse executive teams increase productivity by 21 percent, so diversity is a win-win for everyone involved. 

OSHA was as active as ever this quarter inspecting jobsites and doling out fines to construction companies that subject their workers to hazards. In the first three months of 2019, the largest fine came from an OSHA-approved state plan administered by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry under its Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program. 

The construction industry has always been at the mercy of the weather, one of the most common threats to project deadlines. Contractors face the threat of litigation or financial penalties for missing milestones because of Mother Nature. Extreme weather related to climate change threatens to make the situation even worse.

Self-driving vehicle technology has made giant strides in recent years, with passenger vehicles receiving much of the attention. But with the explosion of innovations that enable autonomous cars, specialty vehicle manufacturers should see an opportunity to bring the technology to the construction site as well.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a Democratic retreat that she thinks President Trump would be receptive to an infrastructure package of between $1 trillion and $2 trillion which would help spur the investment in our aging infrastructure. But even if our government can come to some bipartisan solution on funding an infrastructure plan, who will be available to do the work when over 78 percent of construction companies are already having a hard time finding skilled workers?

Contractors are facing business threats on many fronts - volatile economic conditions, disruptions in global trade and competition from new industry players all make it difficult for traditional construction players to keep their heads above the water. Contracting businesses can leverage the latest business models, tools and technologies to neutralize these threats and thrive, no matter the conditions.

As projects become more complex and the industry shifts to digital tools, it’s increasingly possible to compete on more than just your bid numbers. The use of the latest construction technology and techniques offers a winning competitive advantage if you’re willing to invest in acquiring new skills.

New construction starts in March advanced 16 percent from the previous month, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $809.2 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The substantial gain followed a lackluster performance during the first two months of 2019, as total construction starts in March were able to climb back to a level slightly above the average monthly pace during 2018. 

When long term care is needed, there are only a few options available to pay for those types of expenses. Genworth Life Insurance Company and CISCA are working together to provide members with access to long term care insurance protection.

Buildings use almost 40 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States and generate 30 percent of the nation’s greenhouse emissions. The high energy use and large carbon footprint of buildings have led to the development of sustainable spaces known as green buildings. Green buildings are constructed with sustainable materials, powered by renewable resources such as solar energy and wind power, and have features such as improved air quality, better acoustic properties and biophilic spaces.

Construction supervisors have a ton of work on their plate. These five tips can help you get a better handle on the data at your fingertips while still covering your many other responsibilities.

State payment statutes often bar contract terms requiring disputes on in-state projects to be litigated in other states. In Popple Construction v. Kiewit Power Construction, the Federal Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania addressed the issue of whether the Pennsylvania Contractor and Subcontractor Act (CASPA) provision barring the enforcement of contractual, forum selection clauses was enforceable.