Construction Citizen

Construction input prices fell 0.3% in June compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices declined 0.4% for the month.

As summer ramps up into full gear, heat safety must become a priority. United Tool and Fastener carries a variety of heat PPE such as water, sports drinks and popsicles, hats, visors, sun shades, cooling towels, and protective eyewear in addition to generators.

The federal government allocates approximately $1.9 billion annually for maintenance projects related to buildings, roads on land owned by the federal government, parks and every other public asset. That may sound like a lot – until it is noted that a deferred maintenance study reported several years ago that $76 billion is needed immediately to adequately address the country’s federal deferred maintenance backlog. Mary Scott Nabers with Strategic Partnerships, Inc. discusses construction opportunities for deferred maintenance projects that can be found nationwide.

Input and bid prices remain tame in June; union settlements moderate in first half; housing starts vary. Learn more from this weeks' Data DIGest.

United Tool and Fastener is proud to carry Milwaukee Tools, including the M18™ FORCELOGIC™ Single Channel Strut Shear Kit. The MilwaukeeM18™ FORCELOGIC™ Single Channel Strut Shear Kit offers versatility and portability, which enables strut to be sheared on any flat surface or chain vice at the point of installation around the jobsite. The integrated tri-stand chain vice mount allows seamless integration into any brand chain vice. The M18™ FORCELOGIC™ Single Channel Strut Shear Kit also features Milwaukee® ONE-KEY™ Technology, enabling workers to view tool usage, receive notifications for recommended maintenance, and lock the tool for added security.

Wage theft is a pervasive issue in the construction industry, causing significant financial and reputational damage to companies while exploiting vulnerable workers. Verfico Technology, a Texas-based company dedicated to combating this problem, offers an innovative technology-driven solution that helps businesses to protect their workforce and to ensure compliance with labor laws in multi-tiered labor environments. By providing real-time visibility and automated reconciliation of labor data, optimizing workforce management, and ensuring compliance, Verfico helps businesses mitigate financial and reputational risks while demonstrating a commitment to fair labor practices. This is especially crucial for addressing the exploitation of immigrant workers and ensuring a fair and transparent labor market.

“Despite indications that the broader economy is slowing, the construction industry continued to add jobs at a rapid pace in June,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Contractors added another 27,000 jobs for the month, with hiring concentrated in the nonresidential segment. Nonresidential construction employment has expanded 3.8% over the past year, a rate of growth over twice as fast as that of the broader economy. With backlog still at healthy levels, according to ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator, hiring should continue in the coming months."

Employment, wages rise, unemployment hits record low for June; spending, job openings dip in May. Learn more from this week's Data DIGest.

Are you ready to network, have fun, and support a great cause? Construction Career Collaborative (C3) invites you to their second annual bowling tournament and 14th annual golf classic. These events are the perfect blend of competition, camaraderie, and community, providing unique opportunities for professionals in the construction industry to connect and support C3's mission of promoting a sustainable workforce. Click to learn more about these upcoming events.

June is Trench Safety Month and is a time to re-evaluate safety measures when working in trenches. The goal of Trench Safety Month is to focus on reducing trenching and excavation hazards. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers' lives. However, there are THREE specific steps which can control or prevent cave-ins: SLOPE or bench trench walls, SHORE trench walls with supports, or SHIELD trench walls with trench boxes. Michelle Neundorfer with United Tool and Fastener outlines OSHA resources to promote trench safety.