Controversial decision

Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, issued the following statement on Dec. 7 in response to the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health:

"While the construction industry fully supports measures to improve our environment, the reality is today's EPA announcement will only make it harder to build the greener future our planet needs and our children deserve. Every single construction project in America is now likely to be put on standby until federal bureaucrats decide whether to grant Clean Air Act permits, making it even harder to construct efficient new buildings, cut polluting traffic or retrofit existing, inefficient buildings. At a time when the government is investing billions in construction activity to rebuild our economy, this decision will undermine the stimulus, cost thousands of construction workers their jobs and stifle economic growth for decades to come. The association and its 33,000 member companies urge the administration to rethink its misguided approach and plan to work closely with Congress to overturn this disastrous decision." -- Posted by Brian Richesson

Online safety training available in Spanish

Caterpillar’s safety web site, safety.cat.com, is celebrating two years online, created with one purpose in mind: to promote jobsite safety, whether digging a trench for a small utility job in a residential neighborhood or handling tons of ore-bearing rock in the largest of mines. The safety goal of the site is simple, yet of crucial importance.

Among the newest resources at the site is Internet-based safety training, which helps employees understand and avoid jobsite hazards. More than 200 online training modules are available, many offered in English and Spanish.

Online Spanish-language modules are grouped into the following categories: construction, mining and heavy equipment; driver safety; environmental; general safety; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) essentials; and supervisory safety. Courses in these categories include, for example, aerial-lifts for construction; hand- and power-tool safety; defensive driving – large vehicles; hearing conservation; confined-space hazards; fall protection; and OSHA 10-hour for construction. In all, nearly 70 courses are available in Spanish and range in duration from 20 minutes to more than two hours.

According to Cat, Spanish-language online training is a convenient, cost-effective means for allowing employees to learn the basics of jobsite safety at a pace that suits their schedules. The broad range of subjects addresses all levels of safety within a business, and the system permits managers to track employee progress. Ultimately, online training can serve as a solid base for enhancing or initiating a safety program within any organization.

Many Spanish-language courses start at less than $20, and registration is easy, Cat notes. Log on at safety.cat.com/training and follow the five-step tutorial. – Posted by Darren Constantino

Telephone blitz

The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) is organizing a nationwide call-in on Dec. 10 to urge congressional action on a highway reauthorization bill. While Congress is embroiled in other high-profile issues, senators and representatives must be reminded about the need to address the expired highway and transit program authorization, TCC says. In visits by TCC members on Capitol Hill, members of Congress report they are not hearing from people at home.

TCC would like to blitz congressional offices with calls from constituents. To do this, a toll-free number has been set up to allow calls directly to the offices of senators and representative at (888) 448-2782. TCC is asking callers to make the following points:

• Huge transportation needs are not being met, including deficient bridges, deteriorating pavements, congested roads and safety hazards.

• The construction industry has an unemployment rate of more than 18 percent.    

• Without the certainty of a long-term authorization bill, with increased funding levels, construction companies and material suppliers will be forced to lay off additional workers.

• Businesses will not invest in new equipment when there is so much uncertainty about the ongoing and future construction market.

• Congress must do its job and delay no longer. Pass a six-year transportation authorization bill now and provide the revenue necessary to increase funding to address the short-term need for jobs and long-term economic growth.

In addition, the TCC has set Dec. 10 for delivery of a letter to Congress signed by various organizations in each state urging action on a multi-year, surface transportation reauthorization. TCC is asking its members to encourage state-affiliated organizations or chapters to sign the letter and urge other business and civic groups to sign, as well. -- Posted by Brian Richesson

'Jello is made out of rock!'

KBDJ, a Hays County limestone quarry in Austin, Texas, recently hosted 120 fourth graders from Bridgepoint Elementary School, who learned the importance of mining and the environment. The event is a good example of how a quarry develops a relationship with its community.

“Jello is made out of rock!” said student Rebecca Quilkey after learning that limestone not only is used to build roads, but can be found in many other everyday items and food.

This is the second year the school has taken a field trip to the site.

“The kids love it because it is so hands-on and they get to see the rock quarry,” said teacher Susan Bigham. In class, the students have been learning about the Edwards Aquifer and its recharge zone, which includes the quarry land, she said.

According to KBDJ President Jill Shackelford, “We love to educate the students on the importance of mining and the environment. We like to use this site as an outdoor classroom and let them get hands-on with what they have been learning in the classroom. This shows that mining and conservation can coexist.”

Student field trips to the site helped KBDJ win certification earlier in November as a Corporate Lands for Learning program by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC). Since June 2007, KBDJ has hosted educators and schoolchildren and conducted environmental programs and projects at the quarry site. Previously, WHC in 2008 recognized KBDJ and its parent company for creating a Wildlife at Work program.

While at the site, the Bridgepoint Elementary students donned hard hats and gazed into the quarry pit; examined native habitat and planted wildflower seeds with the assistance of Hill Country Conservancy staff; learned about air quality and the Edwards Aquifer from representatives of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and looked into a cave, one of the sensitive geographic features located on the site, with help from a Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District staff member.

The students also enjoyed a pizza lunch and were allowed to gather samples of the rock quarried on the site to take home, along with a goodie bag that included a T-shirt and rock identification kit

“I think that it was pretty cool that I got to get my own rock,” said student Amanda Elswick. “I hope we get to come back next year because it’s a really cool place to come to.”

-- Posted by Brian Richesson

Enhanced experience

Apparently, the 2010 World of Asphalt Show & Conference is the place to be.

Leading U.S. and worldwide industry organizations, including U.S. government agencies, are lending their support to the show. Industry events have also chosen to co-locate with the show, offering additional networking and education opportunities for attendees and exhibitors.

World of Asphalt will be held Feb. 15-18, 2010, at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati. Leading industry manufacturers and suppliers will unveil and discuss their latest technologies and product innovations on the show floor, complemented by industry-focused education programs.

New World of Asphalt co-locations include the Flexible Pavements of Ohio Annual Meeting and the Plantmix Asphalt Industry of Kentucky Winter Training School (Covington, Ky.). The American Road and Transportation Builders Association is returning as organizer of the National Traffic Management and Work Zone Safety Power Workshop.

The 2010 AGG1 Aggregates Forum & Expo is co-locating with the 2010 World of Asphalt after a successful inaugural co-location in 2009. The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), AGG1 show owner, is again holding its annual convention with the events.

The World of Asphalt hosts two prestigious industry events: the Asphalt Pavement Alliance’s (APA) Asphalt Pavement Conference and the People, Plants and Paving Training Program.

Helping to develop the APA conference is the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Ohio Department of Transportation and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, as well as the APA alliance partners: the Asphalt Institute, National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and state asphalt pavement associations.

Industry direction for the People, Plants and Paving Training Program is provided by the program sponsors: NAPA along with the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association, Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association and International Slurry Surfacing Association.

Show participants can also take advantage of a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health workshop on major hazard risk assessment, sponsored by NSSGA. -- Posted by Brian Richesson