Robust nonresidential construction “overpowered” housing slump
"Robust gains in public and private nonresidential construction spending overpowered the continuing slump in homebuilding in April," says Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Simonson was commenting on the June 29 construction spending and GDP reports from the Commerce Department.

"Total construction spending climbed 0.9 percent in May, seasonally adjusted, as a 2.5 percent uptick in nonresidential spending more than offset a decline of 0.8 percent in residential construction," Simonson notes. "For the first five months of 2007 combined, total construction was down 3.9 percent compared to the same period in 2006. During that span, nonresidential spending jumped 15 percent and residential plunged 18 percent.

"On the private side, the biggest year-to-date growth has been in lodging construction, up 60 percent; offices, 26 percent; hospitals, 22 percent; and multi-retail--'big box' and other general merchandise stores, shopping centers and malls--20 percent," Simonson reports. "I expect private nonresidential construction to keep up the pace for the second half of 2007 and probably right through 2008 as well.

"Public construction rose 11 percent year-to-date," Simonson says. "The two big public categories--highways and streets, and education--accounted for just over half the public total. Highway construction was 8.2 percent higher year-to-date, and education was up 9.9 percent. Every public category was up in May and in the first five months of 2007 combined. But I foresee cutbacks later this year as state and local revenues begin to trail budgeted amounts. For instance, Virginia's governor already ordered state agencies to slow spending as real estate and sales taxes fell short of expectations.

"Private residential spending remains a disaster," Simonson continues. "Single-family construction skidded another 1.4 percent in May and 27 percent year-to-date. Multi-family construction and residential improvements were roughly flat for the month and the first five months combined. I don't foresee an improvement in these numbers before the second quarter of 2008.

"Census made both routine and one-time revisions to prior data as part of today's release," Simonson says. "The estimate was boosted substantially for communications spending for wireless facilities such as cell phone towers. But the totals for 2006 and most months of 2007 were reduced, and data improvements led to an overhaul of many years of state and local spending figures."

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Clarification on Z87 safety eyewear standard
Recently, concerns have been raised about specific wording in a past story that appeared in Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine about safety eyewear. The story, “Line of site,” that appeared in the November/December issue, may mislead some into believing certain markings for eyewear meets the Z87.1-2003 standard.

Donna Rentler, a source in the article and product manager for eye, face and hearing protection at MSA, wrote the following explanation that should clear up any confusion. This summary of the standard has also been reviewed by Dale B. Pfriem, president of ICS Laboratories, Inc., a certified, third-party test lab. Pfriem is a representative and individual expert member of the Accredited Standards Committee on Safety Standards for Eye Protection, Z87. The Standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by this committee.

Rentler’s comments:
There is only one American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. The most current updates to the Standard can be found in ANSI Z87.1-2003.

There are specific “Basic Impact Testing Requirements” for spectacles included in section 7.4.1 of the Standard. Additionally, there are specific High Impact Testing Requirements in section 7.4.2 of the Standard.

When choosing safety eyewear, be sure to require high-impact eye protection on construction and other industrial sites where the risk of high mass or high velocity impact is present. Look for safety eyewear that is marked as meeting the Standard as defined in the “Marking” section, 7.10 of the Standard and the “Summary of Marking Requirements, Annex G.

In summary, when selecting plano high-impact spectacles with removable lenses, refer to sections 7.10.1 through 7.10.2.1 and Standard Annex G. Look for the frame front, both temples and removable side shields to be marked with the manufacturer’s mark or logo and “Z87”. Removable lenses are to be marked with the manufacturer’s mark or logo, a “+” to indicate meeting the high-impact testing requirements, and any other required markings; for example, “S” in the case of a special purpose lens, or a shade number as defined in Table 1 found in the Standard..

For high-impact spectacles with non-removable lenses, refer to Section 7.10.3 and Standard Annex G. Such products require only one marking—on the front or one of the temples — and should include a mark or symbol to identify the manufacturer, “Z87” to indicate compliance with the Standard, a shade number as called out in Table 1 if applicable, and a “+” to indicate meeting the high-impact testing requirements of the Standard.

Information for testing and marking of goggles is available in Section 8 of the Standard.

An excellent tool for choosing the right eye and face protectors for your application is the Selection Chart included at the end of the Standard. Refer to Annex I.

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Construction associations partner to further improve business opportunities for women
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) signed a joint resolution on June 13, 2007 that outlines their partnership agreement and commitment to create opportunities and business for women-owned construction firms and policy-making executives in the construction industry.

“We are thrilled to be working hand-in-hand with NAWIC to extend opportunities to women in the construction industry,” says Dave Meyer, 2007 ABC national chairman and founding partner of The Meyer Companies, Lee’s Summit, Mo. “In order to remain competitive in the global economy, it is important that we continue to diversify the workforce.”

“Our partnership agreement will focus on removing barriers and creating greater access to effective business practices and services,” said Carol L. Chapman, NAWIC immediate past president, 2006-2007. “We hope this will result in building a solid foundation for the next generation of contractors to benefit the entire construction industry.”

In the joint resolution, both ABC and NAWIC commit to work together to prevent discriminatory practices, encourage mutual training and develop mentoring relationships. In addition, the organizations agree to work jointly to provide employees with high-quality and affordable benefits; to monitor and work together on legislative issues where there is a common interest; and to support the free-enterprise philosophy.

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Survey says: More than 40 percent of construction contractors actively recycle spent rechargeable power tool batteries
However, disparity between recycling knowledge and practices shows room for growth

According to a recent survey commissioned by the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC), many builders currently dispose of these batteries properly, with 44 percent indicating that they recycle the used rechargeable batteries from their power tools when they no longer hold a charge. However, the survey also revealed that a discrepancy exits between builders’ awareness of rechargeable battery recycling and actual recycling practices. As many as 30 percent of homebuilders surveyed are aware that rechargeable batteries are recyclable, yet do not actively recycle them.

Through RBRC’s Call2Recycle business collection program, spent rechargeable batteries can be properly disposed of and kept out of the solid waste stream. According to the RBRC, it’s the most comprehensive nationwide rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling program and it provides a convenient way to collect and recycle used rechargeable

According to the survey, only 35 percent of respondents have company-sponsored recycling programs. Signing up for the Call2Recycle program is free, as are the collection boxes, shipment and processing of used rechargeable batteries, so it makes it easy for contractors to take advantage of the service. Presently, there are more than 3,800 businesses in the U.S. and Canada that participate in the Call2Recycle program, reports the RBRC.

“While most builders are aware that the batteries powering their cordless tools are recyclable and many currently recycle them, there is still a tremendous opportunity to boost recycling participation to include the majority of builders,” said Ralph Millard, executive vice president, RBRC. “This survey showed us that there is a gap between knowledge and practice, which can best be bridged by educating builders on their responsibility to the environment, and in some states, the law.”

Further, all drop-off sites that are available are listed on RBRC’s Web site, www.call2recycle.org. You may also call toll-free to 877-2-RECYCLE for the nearest location.

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