Members' Edge

AGC Houston

Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc.
TAS Commercial Concrete, LLC
Events
 
   
CRISP

2220 Bevis St., Houston, Texas 77008
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.




$20 includes cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres

Complimentary for AGC Houston General Contractor members!




Don't miss our members-only networking mixer! This popular event draws a large crowd of industry professionals and is a great chance to meet other commercial construction professionals. Want to sponsor the event? Contact Amy Collins today.

Register by Wednesday, October 1, to reserve your spot.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1855 to view the full article online.

 

InterContinental Dallas Hotel
Dallas, Texas



Following the April BIMForum, this conference will focus on optimizing construction using aspects of BIM. Speakers from around the nation will be presenting on how they use BIM proactively and effectively to have a measurable impact on the construction process. Topics will include BIM Execution Planning, Collocation Management, What BIM Means For Insurance, and more.

Visit http://meetings.bimforum.org/2014/ to view the full article online.

 
Sheraton Downtown Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona




AGC's Construction HR and Training Professionals Conference provides two days of education and networking for HR, training and workforce development professionals in the construction industry. Educational sessions cover the most cutting-edge techniques in training and development currently in use and envisioned for the future in the industry.

Visit http://www.agc.org/cs/events/conferences/training_education_conference to view the full article online.

 
San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk

San Antonio, Texas




Register today for the CLC Leadership Development Conference. This year’s event is co-hosted with the San Antonio Chapter of AGC and will take place at the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk. Highlights of the program include keynote speaker George "The Iceman" Gervin, former San Antonio Spurs player; Chuck Greco, Linbeck Group, LLC, and Senior Vice President of AGC of America; and a roundtable session that will allow attendees to learn best practices from CLC groups from across the country.

Visit http://meetings.agc.org/ldc14/ to view the full article online.

 
Caesar's Palace
Las Vegas, Nevada




The Construction Financial Management Conference was developed in response to a need for programs and workshops designed specifically for financial professionals in the construction industry. The three-day conference will feature lectures and workshops on topics such as construction taxes, change order and claims management, federal acquisition regulations and more.

Visit http://meetings.agc.org/agc_cfma/ to view the full article online.

 
The ACE Mentor Program of Houston invites you to join in The Third Annual Build It Forward Event. This event brings together students involved in the ACE Mentor Program and industry-wide professionals. For more information and to learn how you can get involved, please click here.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1838 to view the full article online.

 
Education/Training
AGC Houston - Frontline Leadership is a six-session training program designed to equip new, current, or aspiring supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage and develop their people and projects. The format consists of six half-day modules that can be taken as stand-alone courses or as part of the series.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1678 to view the full article online.

 
Completion of this course meets the requirements of OSHA Paragraph 1926.50, and participants will receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid and CPR/AED wallet card valid for two years upon course completion.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1400 to view the full article online.

 
For AEC professionals, the AGC Certificate in Management Building Information Modeling (CM-BIM) is an assessment-based certificate credential that denotes knowledge and understanding of concepts related to BIM adoption, practice and process transformation outlined in the AGC BIM Education Program.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1422 to view the full article online.

 
This six-session class will focus the fundamentals of construction plans and document reading. Each class section meets every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for two consecutive weeks.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1672 to view the full article online.

 
This course is designed to provide general guidelines aiding the construction industry in complying with various State of Texas tax laws. Topics include auditing tips, how to calculate and pay local taxes, and more.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1392 to view the full article online.

 
Safety
The September AGC Houston Safety Committee Meeting will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 starting at 7:15 a.m.  James Shelton, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Occupational Safety and Health Administration,  will be attending to answer questions members may have about the new OSHA/AGC Houston Chapter Partnership agreement and application.  If you have any questions regarding the Partnership or the process of becoming a member partner, please plan on attending Friday.



Questions? Contact Safety Director, Kim Mason, for more information.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=286182&issueID=40131 to view the full article online.

 
This course is designed for healthcare professionals who want to plan and present safety and health content to their employees/colleagues.The program covers topics specific to making safety and health training engaging, relevant and impactful for all healthcare workers.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1771 to view the full article online.

 
This course is designed to provide Spanish-speaking entry-level construction workers with a general awareness on recognizing and preventing hazards on the jobsite. Participants will learn about the safety requirements contained in 29 CFR 1926, review specific OSHA requirements and gain tips on how to keep a construction jobsite safe.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1825 to view the full article online.

 

AGC Houston is excited to offer this hands-on course for supervisors and
workers involved in rigging or hoisting operations while using cranes, heavy
equipment, truck cranes or other equipment in any industry. Students will receive 10 hours of Qualified Rigger / Signal Person hands-on training, using field-appropriate application intended for supervisors and workers involved in rigging or hoisting operations while using cranes, heavy equipment, and truck cranes.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1852 to view the full article online.

 
This course will provide an overview of the risk management and insurance profession from the health and safety program perspective. Topics include recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards found in the workplace.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1774 to view the full article online.

 
This advanced safety and health course is designed to provide participants with the skill and knowledge to identify key steps and develop implementation strategies to effectively apply leading measures in improving safety performance.

Visit http://agchouston.org/calendar.asp?pageid=901&calid=1753 to view the full article online.

 
AGC News
The National Institute of Building Sciences is requesting your help in advancing the discussion around the role of off-site construction in improving building processes and the achievement of high-performance building goals. The Institute’s Off-Site Construction Council is a knowledge center on issues of off-site construction and productivity in the commercial building sector. As part of that role, the  Council is conducting a survey of representatives from across building disciplines to understand the current extent of projects that use off-site construction technologies and practices, their successes or shortcomings, and the opportunity to address industry needs in utilization of these techniques.



Please consider answering and passing along this short survey to help advance our industry and support achievement of high performance buildings.  The survey will close on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at the end of the business day. 

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/?aid=286184&issueID=40131 to view the full article online.

 
"The AGC Alternative," the first of its kind, nationwide private insurance exchange to serve the commercial construction industry, begins offering firms belonging to the Associated General Contractors of America quotes today.



The private exchange, developed in collaboration with Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, the global risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker, features comprehensive insurance coverage from Aetna, MetLife and Group Vision Service as part of its introductory suite of benefits.




Now that the exchange's initial benefits providers have been selected, association members can now get coverage quotes for policies that go into effect as early as January 1, 2015. For more information about the association's new private insurance exchange, click here.

Visit http://www.agc.org/cs/news_media/press_room/press_release?pressrelease.id=1615 to view the full article online.

 
As previously reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stopped work to promulgate a new national rule to restrict the discharge of stormwater from developed sites (after construction is complete). However, the EPA continues to carry out the objectives of its deferred rulemaking via its existing permit process for municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), which is legally questionable. AGC members should be on the lookout for new requirements that limit stormwater flow or impervious surface area at developed sites, as well as unmanageble mandates to retain runoff onsite to mimic pre-development conditions. For more information, contact Leah Pilconis.

Visit http://news.agc.org/2014/09/16/epa-relies-on-municipal-stormwater-permits-to-restrict-runoff-at-developed-sites/ to view the full article online.

 
 
   
A final rule announced September 11, 2014, requires employers to notify OSHA when
an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization,
amputation or loss of an eye. The rule, which also updates the list of employers
partially exempt from OSHA record-keeping requirements, will go into effect on
Jan. 1, 2015 for workplaces under federal OSHA jurisdiction.





Under the revised rule, employers will be required to notify OSHA of work-related fatalities within eight hours, and work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations or losses of an eye within 24 hours. Previously, OSHA's regulations required an employer to report only work-related fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations of three or more employees. Reporting single hospitalizations, amputations or loss of an eye was not required under the previous rule.

Visit http://agchouston.org/pages/osha_expands_requirements_for_reporting_sever_injuries_and_fatalities._1856.asp to view the full article online.

 

This week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released their semi-annual Economic and Budget Outlook, in which they have updated their ten-year solvency projections for the Highway Trust Fund. CBO estimates that sometime in fiscal year 2015 the revenue in the trust fund will run out. Although the CBO does not provide a specific deadline, it is estimated that the transfer of nearly $11 billion approved by Congress in late July will only maintain current trust fund spending levels through the end of May 2015. CBO’s long-term Highway Trust Fund projections show that the cost of a six-year transportation bill at current funding levels plus inflation would require approximately $85 billion in additional revenues into the trust fund.

Visit http://news.agc.org/2014/08/29/cbo-projects-continued-highway-trust-fund-shortfalls/ to view the full article online.

 
The Obama administration recently announced a series of measures to help shore up crumbling U.S. infrastructure, including half a billion dollars in loans for the electric grid. The moves are part of the administration’s efforts to address what it says is a $1 trillion funding gap for transportation, water and electricity needs in the next six years. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said investing in infrastructure has historically been one of the best ways to create jobs and boost economic growth, but spending has fallen during the past decade, as two-thirds of roads are now in disrepair, and one out of nine U.S. bridges have structural deficiencies.

Visit http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/09/us-usa-infrastructure-idUSKBN0H41K620140909 to view the full article online.

 
Proline Supply Company
Here's Looking At You
AGC members and industry partners filled the Westin Houston/Memorial City hotel to celebrate some of the industry's best projects at the APEX 11 Gala on Saturday, September 13, 2014. The evening also served to honor posthumously legendary AGC Houston member Leo Linbeck, Jr., Linbeck Group, LLC with the Master Builder Award. 



Photos of the APEX 11 Gala will be posted in the Photo Gallery by September 26. Award winners may contact

 Charlene Anthony to order additional awards.





Congratulations to the following winners: 





Anslow Bryant Construction, Ltd., BP High Performance Computing Center

Anslow Bryant Construction, Ltd., Nexen Tower

Blumenthal Sheet Metal, The Tower

Brookstone, LP, Camp For All Star Place

Brookstone, LP, Holy Family Catholic Church Renovation

Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd., Gables Tanglewood

Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd., Carnegie Vanguard High School

Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd., Mohammedi Masjid

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, One and Two Shell Plaza Renovations

Fretz Construction Company, 500 Fannin Building Historic Renovation

Fretz Construction Company, Creely Law Offices

Fretz Construction Company, First Baptist Church Pasadena

Gilbane Building Company, Company Name Withheld

Hudson Building Systems, Ltd., Haworth Showroom

Letsos Company, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital Expansion & Renovation

Linbeck Group, LLC, James Turrell Skyspace at Rice University

Linbeck Group, LLC, Houston Methodist Pearland Emergency Care Center

Marek Brothers Systems, Inc., BBVA Compass Headquarters/Investment Solutions 

Mission Constructors, Inc., Carrabbas Complex - Argonne Parking Garage, Mia’s Table, Carrabba’s and Grace’s

Mission Constructors, Inc., New Process Steel Corporate Offices

Sterling Structures, Inc., The Regis School of the Sacred Heart

Tellepsen, Houston Area Safety Council

Tellepsen, University of Houston Health and Biomedical Sciences Center Building

Tellepsen, San Jacinto Community College North Campus Science & Allied Health Building

Tellepsen, The Menninger Clinic

Vaughn Construction, SCRB3 Phase 3 - Vivarium and Levels 2-5 Build-Out

W.S. Bellows Construction Corp., Boulevard Place, Phase II

Visit http://agchouston.org/gallery.asp?galid=1857&pageid=6 to view the full article online.

 
News You Can Use
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced the results of a study of job postings from across the United States, revealing that demand for the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and LEED Green Associate credentials grew 46 percent during a 12-month period. Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC states, "LEED is a transformative force within the building sector, and every day, our network of more than 197,000 LEED APs and Green Associates are helping to advance the industry and push building projects to new heights of performance and resource efficiency." Top fields being advertised included available positions in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering; construction management; architecture; software development; sales management; property management; and interior design, among others.

Visit http://www.bdcnetwork.com/studies-reveal-growing-demand-leed-credentialed-professionals-across-building-sector?utm_content=buffer87ca8&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer to view the full article online.

 
Construction spending reached its highest level since 2008 in July, according to the Census Bureau, and industry economists are forecasting similar spending patterns in the future. Spending on both private and public construction increased in July, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $981.3 billion. The report "provides further evidence that a vigorous nonresidential construction recovery is finally at hand," said Anirban Basu, chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors. "Increased job growth, booming energy production, expanding industrial production and normalizing capital markets are all contributing to nonresidential construction's renewed momentum, and confidence among developers and other significant consumers of construction services is high, signaling ongoing recovery."

Visit http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/news-wire/2014/09/02/construction-spending-growth-shows-vigorous.html?page=all to view the full article online.

 
The increased coverage around Obamacare and the state’s strong economy has led to more people being covered under employer insurance, which has played a role in bringing the number of uninsured down. However, due to Texas' lack of a comprehensive Medicaid program, Texas has seen a much larger drop in the percentage of uninsured. This will begin to affect employers, especially those who hire low-income, uninsured workers. Employer penalties for uninsured employees will start in 2015. Dr. Vivian Ho of the Baker Institute states, "If these workers aren't insured, it’s more people these employers will have to take a penalty for because it’s expected the employers should provide insurance for uninsured people."

Visit http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/vital-signs/2014/09/obamacare-made-a-dent-in-the-number-of-uninsured.html to view the full article online.

 
The Texas Supreme Court just issued a blockbuster opinion affirming the limited scope of no-damages for delay clauses. The Court recognized the traditional exceptions to the enforcement of no-damages-for-delay clauses. These include an owner’s "active interference" with a contractor "or other wrongful conduct," including "arbitrary and capricious acts." The Court reasoned that the purpose of such exceptions is to "preclude a party from insulating himself from liability for his own deliberate, wrongful conduct." No longer is there uncertainty about the applicability of the traditionally recognized exceptions to no damages clauses. Texas now falls in line with the majority of states.

Visit http://www.andrewsmyers.com/news-09-29-2014.html to view the full article online.

 
The demographics of the state are changing in ways that impact the workforce head on. According to State Comptroller Susan Combs, "unskilled" jobs are becoming a thing of the past, and the workers of today need to be adaptable to the point that they are lifelong learners. She argues that lawmakers need to tackle several issues including increased funding for adult education programs, multimedia information campaigns to promote industry-based certification, and economic incentives for companies to create apprenticeship programs. She also urges the state to make more money available for programs in order to streamline the process to reduce waiting lists for training programs.

Visit http://www.constructioncitizen.com/blog/texas-comptroller-pushes-more-job-training-programs/1408191 to view the full article online.

 
The Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M has reached out to AGC in the search for an assistant professor, tenure track. The department is seeking a new, full-time faculty member to teach and conduct research in the project controls area, particularly estimating, scheduling, project controls and the technology involved with them, including Building Information Modeling [BIM]. The department is also seeking a lecturer or an assistant instructional professor.



Click on the link below for electronic application and for more details.

Visit http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/media/cms_page_media/46/Ad%20-%20Adjunct%20090314.pdf to view the full article online.

 
AGC Houston | 3825 Dacoma Street, Houston, TX USA, 77092-8707