Originally set to be enforced on June 23, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration new rule regarding silica dust exposure limits has been delayed an additional 90 days, to September 23, 2017. Many construction industry groups were upset by the new rule, as they deemed it “technologically and economically infeasible, but also unnecessary.”
Read moreGIVEAWAY: Milwaukee Tool’s New TICK Tool & Equipment Tracker
In 2015, Milwaukee released their robust smart tool management platform, ONE-KEY. The smartphone and web application allows users to not only keep data of their tools spread across different users and jobsites, but it also offers tool customization and tool tracking, for tools that are enabled with ONE-KEY. Earlier this year, the platform got a major upgrade with the release of added tool security, which allow users to hide tools, lock the trigger or footpad, or completely render the tool useless remotely if lost or stolen.
Read on to find out how you can win a free (4) pack of Milwaukee TICK ($99 Value)
Read moreBosch Ordered to Stop Sales of REAXX Flesh Detecting Table Saw
The Bosch REAXX Jobsite Table Saw has been on a bit of a roller coaster ride since it was announced in 2015. SawStop, the first company to market with a table saw that detects flesh and stops the blade, filed a lawsuit against Bosch for patent infringement in mid-2015. That lawsuit delayed the release of REAXX to 2016, a year after the company planned to release it. The ruling in that case has put another speed bump in the rollout plans for Bosch.
Read moreWorld’s First 3D Printed Skyscraper to be Built in Dubai
3D printing has had to overcome plenty of obstacles, including materials, mobility, weather, and height. Slowly, but surely, technology companies are beginning to overcome these challenges. A 400 square foot house was recently printed in concrete on-site, in less than 24 hours and in freezing temperatures. Other companies are working on perfecting 3D printed steel for pedestrian bridges. Height limitations seem to be the hardest problem to solve, however.
Read moreMultiple Government Agencies Propose Bills That Would Punish Contractors Participating in US/Mexico Border Wall
As of early March, there were nearly 200 construction companies that marked themselves as “interested” in constructing the US/Mexico border wall. The Daily Mail now reports that over 600 have expressed interest in the design and construction of the wall. The Request for Proposal (RFP) package for the conceptual design of the wall was released on March 17th and the responses are due no later than March 29th.
Read moreOSHA Releases Guide for Safely Working with Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts are on most typical construction job sites and they’re an often overlooked hazard. Too often, liberties are taken with the lifts that create unsafe conditions, which can cause injuries and deaths. OSHA recently released the results of their investigation of 10 fatalities and 20 injuries involving scissor lifts and released their findings in what the organization refers to as a “Hazard Alert.”
Read moreFrance Officially Unveils World’s First Solar Panel Road
The concept of solar roadways has been in the news a lot recently. Using the millions of miles of roadways throughout the world to also create power seems like a no brainer, the asphalt and concrete we’re using now aren’t really accomplishing anything more than handling the traffic on the road. But, there’s also a very strong reason why those products are used: they’re strong, reliable, and relatively durable. Still, many researchers believe there is a lot of unharnessed potential for roads and the world now has a very strong test subject for the future of solar roadways in Tourouvre-au-Perche, France.
Read moreStanley Black and Decker Finalizes Purchase of Craftsman Brand Tools
With Sears and Kmart stores slowly closing across the country, Sears Holdings had to sell off their longtime brand of tools, Craftsman to generate cash flow. The buyer turned out to be Stanley Black & Decker (SBD), who also runs DeWalt, Black + Decker, Porter Cable, Bostitch, and others. Late last week, their deal to purchase the tool icon was officially finalized.
Read moreUPDATE: Senate Votes to Repeal Federal ‘Blacklisting’ Rule
In February, the House of Representatives voted 236-187 on a resolution to block the ‘blacklisting' rule, sending it to the Senate for a second vote. The act would have given the federal government the ability to disqualify contractors if they violated any of the 14 labor laws, which can be found here, over the past 3 years on any project totaling $500,000 or more
Read moreContractor Places “Flattest Floor in the World,” Varies Less Than .0015 Inches Across 1,200 Feet
Try to imagine .0015 inches, it’s not easy to visualize. Now, rip one of the hairs off of your head and that’s about half of the .0015 inches, which is the allowable variance of a concrete floor that one contractor is working on right now.
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