Author: Jeanie Clapp

Security monitoring trailers, combined with advanced back-end monitoring centers, proved the holy grail for construction site security BY GREG RANKIN The cost of building materials has skyrocketed. At the same time, vandalism and theft at construction sites are at an all-time high; now costing the industry more than a billion dollars per year. Due to these factors, among others, the need to secure commercial construction sites has never been greater. To combat the issue, much of the focus has long been on the first line of defense. Items like physical barriers, access control points and closed-circuit TV cameras have been…

Founded in 1902, Turner Construction Company, a member of multiple AGC chapters, has charged a path for advancement in construction. At the turn of the century, the company pioneered the use of steel-reinforced concrete to create safer, stronger and more efficient buildings. In the decades since, Turner has built a reputation for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation and embracing emerging technologies. One project that put Turner’s innovative spirit to the test was the Seattle Aquarium’s $160 million Ocean Pavilion expansion. The project includes the creation of three large habitats with essentially no straight edges, including a main habitat consisting…

Those in the construction industry know the importance of safety: physical, mental, emotional. Many firms contribute resources – financial and otherwise – to implement programs to ensure that each of their workers go home at the end of the day in the same condition they arrived at its start. But the idea of safety reaches far beyond physical and mental wellness. Psychological safety has entered the construction scene, an initiative that helps to ensure employees are comfortable at their workplace and can express themselves without fear of backlash. Columbia Construction, an AGC of Massachusetts member, is a third generation construction…

Transforming Construction Culture One Project at a Time BY KEYAN ZANDYCEO, SKILES GROUP I’m honored that AGC has asked me to share my Lean Construction journey with you and how we can all work to improve our industry. I began my Lean Construction journey almost 20 years ago. I was working on a multiphase project, and we fell behind schedule in the first phase. Our team worked 70 days straight to meet the schedule and bring the project across the CO finish line. I received praise from my project manager, an “attaboy” from the client executive and acknowledgement at a…

AGC Members Urged to Embrace Alliance for Naloxone Safety in the Workplace Resources BY CHRISTINE PREUSLER In December 2019, an employee of Dimeo Construction Company, an AGC of Connecticut and AGC of Massachusetts member, disappeared after finishing their shift. Concerned about delivering the worker’s paycheck, a crew leader attempted to contact the individual by phone but received no response. Shortly after, another worker informed the crew leader that the missing employee was found off-site, unresponsive in their vehicle, windows fogged. Acting swiftly, the crew leader opened the door, observed the individual, noted laboredbreathing, rolled-back eyes and gasps for air. Recognizing…

Just ask Fleet Intelligence BY NICK FORTUNA When customers ask Craig Haddox when a piece of construction equipment will arrive at a jobsite, he never has to give them his best guess or provide a six-hour window like the local cable company might. Instead, Haddox, director of service, parts and warranty for Sunstate Equipment, a member of multiple AGC chapters, can tell that customer exactly where the equipment is located and when it’s scheduled to arrive. That’s because Phoenix-based Sunstate, a major supplier of rental equipment to the construction industry, with locations in 16 states, has implemented Fleet Intelligence as…

Four AGC members are vying for a seat at the table in their respective districts in different parts of the nation, hoping to bring what they’ve learned – and something new – to the conversation in our nation’s capital. Meet them. BY A.D. THOMPSON The call to serve can come at any time, from any place, and demonstrate in any number of directions. Mike Dugan enlisted, enjoying a first career in the Army – “20 years, two months, four days,” he shoots back when asked how long – before joining the ranks of the construction industry as a business development…

The construction industry has traditionally been associated with labor-intensive processes. But with the advent of technology, the industry is gradually embracing digital transformation. Among the most promising advancements that may revolutionize construction are artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These cutting-edge technologies have the potential to help construction companies streamline their operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs. Why modernize a construction business? Construction is a complex and challenging industry involving multiple stakeholders, each with their own requirements, timelines and budgets. Managing all these stakeholders and their requirements can be overwhelming, especially when done manually. By modernizing a construction business,…

AGC names its 2024 Construction Safety Professional of the Year BY NICOLE NEEDLES AGC of America has been recognizing member companies that prioritize safety through its Construction Safety Excellence Awards for more than 30 years. Recently, the association expanded its program to include front-line supervisors, field workers and safety and health experts, making the awards more competitive. The Construction Safety Professional of the Year (CSPY) award recognizes specific workers who have assisted member organizations in achieving a particularly high standard of safety excellence. Nominees have demonstrated technical expertise in the field of safety and health, contributed to the advancement of…

BY KEN GARCIA Construction workers are no strangers to extreme weather conditions. Like the dutiful postal worker adhering to their motto, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night…,” construction workers are in various conditions building our communities. Each weather condition has its unique safety hazards. Thunderstorms have high winds and lightning. Winter storms have bitterly cold temperatures. Summers can be hot and dry. Those summer conditions, though, have gained the attention of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) – specifically, the heat. Heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the country. According to…