OSHA to Update Construction Industry Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is issuing a Request for Information to initiate the fourth phase of its Standards Improvement Project (SIP). The purpose of SIP-IV is to improve and streamline existing OSHA construction standards by removing or revising requirements that are confusing or outdated, or that duplicate, or are inconsistent with other standards. The agency invites the public, including employers, employees, and employee representatives to submit recommendations for revisions to existing construction standards and the rationale for these recommendations.

SIP-IV will focus primarily on OSHA’s construction standards. OSHA began the SIP rulemaking process in 1996 in response to a Presidential memorandum to improve government regulation. The purpose of the regulatory review is to reduce regulatory burden while maintaining or enhancing workers’ safety and health. OSHA published the first SIP rule in 1998. Two additional SIP rulemakings were published in 2005 and 2011. OSHA will review public comments submitted to this notice to determine the need for, and the content of, any subsequent SIP-IV rulemaking.

Individuals may submit comments electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile or mail. See the Federal Register notice for details. Comments must be submitted by Feb. 4, 2013.

AEM Pillar of the Industry Award Winners

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the I Make America campaign announce the 2012 recipients of the annual Pillar of the Industry awards, given to companies achieving or maintaining Gold status in the campaign.
The awards recognize the companies’ tremendous dedication and outstanding contributions to the people and communities of the equipment manufacturing industry through extensive I Make America campaign activities in support of pro-manufacturing policies to improve the economy. AEM and I Make America initiated the awards in 2011 to honor the work of these true industry champions.
For 2012 a total 19 companies received Pillar of the Industry Awards – 16 for achieving Gold Status this year, and 3 honored as Gold Year 2 winners, for maintaining their Gold-level status earned last year. Winners were announced at AEM’s recent annual conference.

I Make America is a grassroots campaign launched in September 2010 to dramatically improve American manufacturing policies to create more jobs in the U.S. and keep the nation’s economy competitive with other countries. The campaign has enlisted the support of more than 22,000 people to date nationwide, AEM’s 850+ member companies, and industry organizations.

“I Make America has been a great success thanks to the outstanding support of our AEM member companies. We are pleased to honor these companies who have raised the bar of public affairs advocacy and we commend their efforts through these Pillar of the Industry awards,” said Dennis Slater, AEM president. “As members of AEM, they exemplify the commitment we need from all manufacturers around the country to send the message to Congress and the White House that our economy is in urgent need of manufacturing policies that will help create jobs.”

I Make America Gold-Level supporters have achieved participation benchmarks marking them as industry leaders. Activities can include significant employee involvement; outreach to their state, local and federal legislators; promoting campaign sign-ups at trade shows and with allied trade associations; and production of A Day in American Life video telling the story of how their companies, employees and communities “make America.”

2012 Pillar of the Industry Award Winners
 
Three companies earned Year 2 Gold status:

• Angus-Palm
• Caterpillar
• International Construction Equipment (ICE)

And 16 companies earned Gold Status:

• Calder Brothers Corporation
• CLAAS of America
• CNH
• General Kinematics
• Kondex Corporation
• Krone NA
• Miller Electric Manufacturing
• Paladin Attachments
• Screen Machine Industries
• Steel of West Virginia
• Stellar Industries
• Sullivan-Palatek
• Telsmith
• Volvo Construction Equipment
• Wolf Robotics
• Woods Equipment Company

Robert Bosch Power Tool Marketing Earns STAR Awards

The marketing group for the accessories unit of Robert Bosch Power Tool Corp. has received five 2012 STAR Awards for excellence in marketing from the Construction Marketing Association (CMA), including recognition as the Midwest Construction Marketer of the Year.

The 2012 Bosch CMA awards include:  

Advertising - Print Trade Publication/STAR

The Bosch Bulldog advertisement introduces this established brand to the market for concrete drilling accessories by demonstrating the toughness and drilling capability in a variety of materials.  

 

Collateral/Literature - Catalog/SuperSTAR

The winning project was designed to create a catalog that's not only functional, but also doubles as a corporate brochure for this Bosch business. Bolstering the look, feel and range of this catalog served a variety of needs, including key selling benefits for both consumers and distribution partners.  

Packaging - Product Package Design/SuperSTAR (Router Bit Packaging)

Bosch router bit packaging features a clear face panel that allows full view of the bit. The packaging's strong construction makes for long-term protective bit storage. Not only does the case swing-hinge open, but the bit holder also pivots for easy bit access.  

Merchandising - POP Materials/SuperSTAR

This integrated campaign shows the breadth, capability and utility of Bosch universal fit multi-tool cutting blades, scrapers, grinding blades and sanding triangles. The company continues to offer the most innovation in the category.

Construction Marketer of the Year - Midwest

This award is a compilation of the best creative work by a company based in the Midwest that serves the construction industry.

The CMA STAR awards recognize excellence in 16 marketing categories and 81 sub-categories including advertising, branding, website design, social media, brochures, catalogs, new product launches, packaging, photography, promotions, publicity, merchandising, trade shows, videos, employee communications and integrated marketing campaigns, along with the CONSTRUCTION MARKETER OF THE YEAR.

Wright Tool Links With MMG

Wright Tool, a manufacturer of heavy-duty, professional-grade hand tools, has partnered with Morris Marketing Group (MMG), an independent rep firm serving the Southern states. The 42,000-square-foot distribution facility – located in Greer, S.C. – joins Texas and California as strategic distribution centers for the Ohio-based Wright Tool. MMG leverages the firm’s sales staff located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

"Wright Tool’s mantra is 'perfecting performance' for our customers,” says Terry Taylor, CEO and president, Wright Tool. “Like our other regional distribution centers in Texas and California, our Southern distribution center can handle strategically stocked products based on our customer's vertical and geographic markets."

Wright says that, along with fulfilling 98 percent of all orders in 36 hours or less, the partnership will help Wright Tool achieve greater profitability for its distributor customers.

MMC Contractors Names Coppinger as President

MMC Contractors has named Dan Coppinger as president of MMC Contractors' Las Vegas office (MMC Contractors West Inc.). Coppinger will be responsible for business management and operations in the Las Vegas office as well as helping achieve overall strategic goals for the MMC Contractors nationwide brand.


"We're thrilled to have Dan as part of our team," says Tim Chadwick, COO. "His proven leadership in the Las Vegas community over the years— and his in-depth experience in all levels of the mechanical contracting industry— will provide many benefits to our valued partners."

Coppinger started his career as a sheet metal apprentice more than 30 years ago. From there, he moved up to foreman, superintendent, and then transitioned into management. After helping start the southwest division of Southland Industries in Las Vegas, he spent the last 10 years there as the VP and division manager.

Nonresidential Construction Index Rises Slightly

FMI, a provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry, has released its Fourth Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI of 55.5 is less than one point up from last quarter. 

Panelists are slightly more positive about the national and local economies. However, views about the economic strength of their own businesses continue to fall. Reasons cited include a reduction in backlogs, the continued rise of material costs and lower productivity. This quarter, the panelists discuss:

• Delays and cancellations
• Changes in project size
• Energy related construction activity
• Market opportunities
• Experiences with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance

To download a copy of the full report, click here. For reprint permission or to schedule an interview with the author, please contact Sarah Vizard Avallone at 919.785.9221 or savallone@fminet.com.

OSHA Looks for Members for Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is accepting nominations for eight new members to serve on the 15-member Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health.

ACCSH, established under the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, advises the Secretary of Labor and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on construction standards and policy matters.

Nominations will be accepted from those interested in representing employee, employer, public and state safety and health agency representative groups. Members serve two-year terms except the representative designated by the Department of Health and Human Services and appointed by the Secretary of Labor, who serves indefinitely.

Nominations may be submitted at www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Submissions may also be sent by mail or facsimile. See the Federal Register notice for details. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 7, 2013.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.