News

Caterpillar has partnered with TORC Robotics to develop the next generation of remote-control construction equipment. The new skid steers, compact track and multiterrain loaders use autonomous vehicle technology, offering the operator more stability and control. "It responds immediately. The feel and response mirrors the operator controls of the machine itself," said Bob Shoop, Caterpillar product demonstrator/instructor. TotalLandscapeCare.net
Referring to real-world experiences, the National Safety Council's Campbell Institute has issued a report on best practices for contractor management, with a focus on safety and collaboration. The recommendations pertain to all five steps in the contractor life cycle, drawing on various companies' experiences to "help other employers establish safe contract relationships that run the gamut, from delivering mail to major construction projects," said Deborah Hersman, president of the National Safety Council. EHS Today
It's important for contractors to pick their risk allocation battles wisely when negotiating contracts, writes John Kofron. "Savvy owners tend to want risk allocated to the person best able to prevent it," writes Kofron. "They can consider the limit of liability clause a deal breaker. Focus on dealing only with risks that are not caused by the construction company and therefore cannot be managed by the company." The Construction Executive Blog
Everyone related to the construction process has incentive to get the project done faster and at a lower cost – from the project owners who want to see tangible results for their investment to the contractors and designers who want to do their job well and move on to the next project. Lean Construction is based on the holistic pursuit of continuous improvements aimed at minimizing costs and maximizing value on a construction project: planning, design, construction, activation, operations, maintenance, salvaging, and recycling.

The construction off-season is prime time for many of those tasks that may have piled up when things were busier. Ron Roberts lays out a list of priorities that fall under the general headings of increasing marketing and sales, adjusting your production management expectations based on job costs and making your
 team even better.

 ForConstructionPros.com
How should you contract, manage and execute BIM most effectively on a project based on current BIM practices? ConsensusDocs is about to release a comprehensively updated standard BIM contract document based on today's evolving practices, terminology and knowledge. This webinar will provide best practices regarding reliance on the model and executing a BIM Execution Plan. Register now.
How should you contract, manage and execute BIM most effectively on a project based on current BIM practices? ConsensusDocs is about to release a comprehensively updated standard BIM contract document based on today's evolving practices, terminology and knowledge. This webinar will provide best practices regarding reliance on the model and executing a BIM Execution Plan. Register now.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says a contractor and subcontractor working on a commercial roof in Chicago should have carried out an asbestos exposure assessment and provided training and a respiratory protection program for their workers, among other things. The two have been fined for a total of 20 serious violations of OSHA rules.
Trends in the construction industry toward team decision-making, risk avoidance, tailored work and use of third-party experts are changing the demands on firms' consultant-salespeople. This article explains how to respond and adjust, beginning with a solid understanding of the customer's business model.
Those in the market for industrial and commercial construction safety-related business services can now easily find providers through an online resource. The Safety Training Exchange from Atlanta's All Trained offers a website and mobile application that allows users to find the training they need and schedule it.