USG recently hosted a public tour of its newly opened gypsum quarry in Alabaster Township, Michigan.

ClarkDietrich has introduced Pro-Flex³⁰⁰ to its Strait-Flex portfolio of drywall finishing products. Pro-Flex³⁰⁰ is a muddable, PVC-free, flexible corner bead that wipes down in as little as one pass.

Washington – OSHA has released interim enforcement guidance for its Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard (1926.1153), which is set to be enforced in full on Oct. 23.

Washington – A consolidated lawsuit against OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica final rule is “close to a resolution,” Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta said Nov. 15 during his first appearance before the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upholds the lower permissible exposure limit in OSHA’s updated silica rule. Supporters of the rule call the court’s decision a “huge victory” for workers, while opponents say it disregards “legitimate concerns.”

Washington — OSHA has released initial enforcement guidelines for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for general industry and maritime, a couple of weeks before many of the rule’s provisions are scheduled to go into effect.

Washington — OSHA has released new compliance assistance resources for limiting worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Washington — Workers who frequently drill concrete can experience reduced exposure to noise, silica dust and vibration if pneumatic rock drills are replaced with electric rotary hammer drills, according to researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

Washington — OSHA has published answers to a list of frequently asked questions regarding the agency’s respirable crystalline silica standard for general industry.

Lowell, MA — Certain job tasks may expose construction workers to silica dust at levels more than 10 times the permissible exposure limit set by OSHA, according to the results of a recent study.

Tumwater, WA — The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has published a hazard alert on the risks of worker exposure to silica dust.

Washington — Alarmed by a recent spike in cases of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, a deadly but preventable condition commonly known as black lung, union presidents Cecil Roberts of the United Mine Workers of America and Leo Gerard of United Steelworkers have sent a letter to Mine Safety and Health Administration leader David Zatezalo requesting stricter regulation of respirable silica dust.

Washington — OSHA is requesting input on potential revisions to Table 1 of its respirable crystalline silica standard for construction, according to a Request for Information slated for publication in the Aug. 15 Federal Register.

Washington — Effective Feb. 4, OSHA has revived its National Emphasis Program on respirable crystalline silica for general industry, maritime and construction to “identify and reduce or eliminate” silica-related hazards.

Washington — Seeking “uniformity” in the enforcement of its silica standards, OSHA has published an instructional directive for its compliance safety and health officers.

Silver Spring, MD — Three new resources from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training are intended to help prevent silica exposure among construction and surface mining workers who operate mobile equipment in enclosed cabs.

Washington — NIOSH and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are looking for presenters for a virtual workshop on silica exposure and lung disease in the mining industry, scheduled for Oct. 22-23.

Washington — The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is advising the Mine Safety and Health Administration to lower its legal exposure limit for silica released Nov. 16.

Washington — Five Senate Democrats are imploring the Mine Safety and Health Administration to lower its exposure limit for crystalline silica – a carcinogen found in sand, stone and artificial stone.

Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA intends to conduct inspections at jobsites where workers are most likely to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica, as part of the agency’s recently launched state emphasis program aimed at reducing exposure to silica and preventing silicosis.

Washington – OSHA’s scaled-back enforcement efforts on silica exposure during a recent two-year period left more workers at risk, according to a Department of Labor Office of Inspector General audit report released Sept. 29.

Arlington, VA — As the Mine Safety and Health Administration works toward publishing a proposed rule on respirable crystalline silica, agency administrator Chris Williamson is encouraging mine workers and operators to “take proactive measures” to assess silica-related health hazards.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is “actively working” toward publishing a proposed rule on respirable crystalline silica, agency administrator Chris Williamson said Oct. 20.

Washington — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has scheduled public meetings on its recently published proposed rule on worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Washington — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has extended until Sept. 11 the comment period for a proposed rule on worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

The health hazards of respirable crystalline silica have been in the spotlight in mining, manufacturing and other industries. So, what is it – and what can be done to reduce worker exposure?

Zoe’s Place Liverpool had said it faced closure by the end of the year

Nearly a third of charity chief executives have experienced discrimination or barriers during their career in the sector, Acevo says

The NCS Trust, the charity set up to operate the scheme, will also be wound down, MPs are told

It is fewer than the about 40 job cuts that St Giles Hospice warned it might have to make in the summer

State transportation agencies in North Carolina and Tennessee are still assessing damage from the storm, forecasting a months-long effort to repair hard-hit critical arteries such as Interstate-40. 

In this video, W&C contributor Trent Cotney gives an update on Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Several training and education opportunities took place during the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance’s 2024 Fall Conference in Minneapolis, including an informative session on mockup testing in construction, a primer on corrosion, and an educational, hands-on workshop demonstrating proper application of materials common in fenestration installation, as presented by the FGIA Wall Interface Council.

Those participating in the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance’s 2024 Fall Conference, which was held in Minneapolis, heard the ways in which Minnesota is leading the nation when it comes to commercial energy codes and efficiency, as well as efforts to mitigate the impact of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances on the environment and local drinking water supply.

Petersen’s new PAC-4000 metal composite material provides design options for those wanting to add truly flat, colorful surfaces to building exteriors. The material is resistant to fire, impacts and water intrusion and can be curved for aesthetic appeal.

BuildBlock Building Systems, the manufacturer of BuildBlock Insulating Concrete Forms, announced the addition of Frank Gordon, Assoc. AIA, as the vice president for strategic development. Gordon will be leading the marketing, sales and technical teams and bringing them together to build relationships with industry leaders, stakeholders, developers, industry professionals and more, supporting BuildBlock’s growth initiatives.

If you look back at our biggest failures, have they been the result of drastic action or the lack of it?

People from minority backgrounds and marginalised communities have been able to fill leadership roles in social enterprises far more easily than at charities

Awarded to a project that has had a substantial impact on national or international life

Awarded to a partnership between two or more charities that has enabled the partners to more effectively deliver services to beneficiaries, reach new groups or reduce costs

Hurricane Milton’s destructive winds caused significant structural damage across Florida, particularly in Tampa and St. Petersburg. A construction crane collapsed into the Tampa Bay Times building, leaving a gaping hole in its side, while winds also tore off Tropicana Field’s roof.

CAD-PLAN has released ATHENA 2024 AutoCAD-based software. Tailored for the glazing industry, the software solutions are fully compatible with Autodesk products and continually improved for optimized and expanded features. CAD-PLAN customers also receive user-friendly training sessions and have access to customized technical support and personalized consultations.

The Michel Bakhoum International Collaboration Award, founded in 2024, honors the memory of Prof. Michel Bakhoum, an ACI member and internationally known structural engineer, researcher and educator.

The Architectural Glass and Metal Certification Council hosted its annual meeting in Salt Lake City on Oct. 23-24. During the meeting, AGMCC announced a new website and continued progress with both the North American Contractor Certification and Architectural Glass and Metal Technician programs, North America’s only third-party credentials for glazing contractors and glaziers.

Georgia-Pacific announced on Nov. 4 that Hudson Pope, senior vice president for manufacturing at Georgia-Pacific, will assume the senior vice president of operations position. Beginning in 2025, he will be responsible for all manufacturing segments in the company.

The Brainy Insights estimates that the $5.1 billion drywall repair services market will reach $10.22 billion by 2033. Rapid urbanization and strategic initiatives by the private players in the global market may fuel the growth of the drywall repair services market.

A trooper from the Michigan State Police recently rescued a construction worker who was stuck under 700 pounds of drywall while working alone on a job site in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, reported George Hunter of The Detroit News.

Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Systems has expanded its portfolio of acoustical solutions for exposed structure spaces with the introduction of SoundScapes Blades.

The company has introduced Tersus Finishes, a line of modified acrylic finishes designed to provide strong water repellency and enhanced resistance to environmental soiling.

The patented designs of the eShadowall, eStylWall flat and eStylWall fluted wall systems enhance the energy efficiency of new and retrofit building applications.