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 — 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.

Toronto — A recent decision by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to formally recognize Parkinson’s disease as an occupational disorder linked to McIntyre Powder exposure guarantees provincial compensation benefits to affected workers and their families, Minister of Labor Monte McNaughton has announced.

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 — A new OSHA initiative is aimed at protecting workers in the engineered stone fabrication and installation industries from silica exposure.

Nicola Burston has been at The Drinks Trust for the past four years

The programme has supported 72 inactive Welsh charities to become operational again, the commission says

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations says Fair Collective had completed the work it had been contracted to deliver but the consultancy disputes this

The government has earmarked four areas for spending until 2028

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

Explore the fire safety, durability and moisture management advantages integrating stone wool continuous insulation in stucco systems.

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance is now offering two topics from the upcoming third edition of FenestrationMasters, its flagship education program, for individual purchase. The two à la carte modules cover the North American Fenestration Standard, including the NAFS Canadian Supplement and Fundamentals of Insulating Glass.

Knight Wall Systems announced on Sept. 17 the hire of Anna Allen as human resources manager, according to Knight operations manager Pat Collins.

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. 

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance partnered with World Vision, a humanitarian organization helping children, families and their communities overcome poverty and injustice, to provide school supplies to in-need children during the 2024 FGIA Fall Conference on Sept. 16-19.

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.

On Oct. 2, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council announced the recipients of two prestigious industry awards – the 2024 Polyurethane Innovation Award and the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award.

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

...and it's best to do something about it before it becomes toxic

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

You need to be clear and confident about what you do or the gulf between that and what people think you do can stretch to breaking point

It's easy to botch the process and demoralise staff and supporters. So how do you make cuts well, asks John Plummer

Brexit remains steeped in uncertainty as the clock runs down. Emily Burt explores the practical steps charity leaders can take to support and prepare their EU staff

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

Awarded to an organisation with an income of less than £500,000 a year that has made a significant impact with its work

For the chief executive who has made an outstanding contribution to their organisation, or the wider sector, during their first two years in post

This prestigious award goes to the charity or voluntary sector organisation that has had a truly exceptional year and whose recent achievements have attracted the admiration of the sector

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

The Las Vegas police arrested a Pennsylvania contractor who is accused of defrauding New Jersey homeowners out of $140,000, reported Chris Spiker of Daily Voice Burlington County NJ.

The Steel Bridge Task Force, which is comprised of the American Iron and Steel Institute, the National Steel Bridge Alliance, and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Steel and Metals Technical Committee, has named David Stoddard, senior steel applications engineer at SSAB Americas, as the recipient of the 2024 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award.

Wege Prize has announced a larger and more diverse pool of judges than ever before, promising to help students advance their game-changing concepts for a sustainable future. Now in its 12th year, the competition offers five more preliminary judges, bringing the total to 15.

Exciting things are on the horizon! After months of planning, designing and refining, MarinoWARE announced the launch of its brand-new website — built just for you.

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.

Greenbuild is launching five all-new summits in 2024 – Sustainable Finance and the Built Environment, Regenerative Ecosystems, Resilient Places, Phius Passive Building and Building Materials.

The Gypsum Association announced that ASTM International has recognized GA director of codes, standards and research Michael Schmeida, MSc, LEED AP, with an ASTM Award of Merit and the title of Fellow.

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.

Paul Johnson Drywall LLC has completed the acquisition of Stratis Construction Inc., one of the leading drywall subcontractors in Arizona.

The Rainscreen Association in North America announced the winners of the inaugural RAiNA Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in rainscreen design and innovation. The award ceremony, which was held on Nov. 7 in Chicago, celebrated projects that exemplify creativity, technical excellence and sustainability in building envelope performance.

Renee Ann Conrad Cieslikowski, 70, of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, passed away peacefully this October in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, Mark, by her side. Many Walls & Ceilings readers knew her through her lengthy tenure at National Gypsum as its marketing manager before her retirement several years ago.

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.

What is the International Wildland Urban Interface Code and why should it matter to me?

Holcim has completed its acquisition of OX Engineered Products, a leader in advanced wall insulation and sheathing solutions. OX Engineered Products will now operate as a standalone line of business within Holcim Building Envelope.

For those worried about water intrusion the company manufactures ICC-rated self sealing screws for lath installation.