| News for the roofing industry |  |
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- Drop in jobless numbers due to workers leaving construction industry
The ranks of unemployed construction workers have shrunk by 800,000 in the past two years, but that is primarily because the workers have found work in other industries. "Construction employed the same number of workers -- 5.55 million -- in March 2012 as it did in March 2010. That means construction workers are leaving the industry, either for other jobs or to retire, and contractors may have trouble finding experienced workers in the future," said Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America. CDRecycler.com
(5/3)     
| News & Trends | | |
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- Job creation slowed in April
April added 115,00 net jobs compared to a revised 154,00 in March and 259,000 in February. The unemployment rate crept down to 8.1%, the lowest in about three years; however, the labor force participation rate has shrunk. The construction sector "changed little." Manufacturing added 16,000, but the transportation and warehousing sector lost 17,000. Bloomberg
(5/4), MarketWatch
(5/4)
- New inspection rules affect outdoor stage rigging in Indiana
Outdoor stage rigging with unattached trusses will need to undergo inspections under a new rule in Indiana. The rules were established after the outdoor stage rigging at the Indiana State Fair gave way last August and killed seven spectators. The rule will be in place until Jan. 1, 2014, and could then become a law. The Indianapolis Star
(5/2)
- Inspect roofs closely to determine the extent of repair needed
Roofs should be inspected closely to be able to determine the need for repairs or replacement, writes Mike McClintock. Spots where leaves and debris have accumulated should be cleared, while areas that have received repairs should be checked to see if the work needs to be remedied. Roof shingles should also be examined to see if they need replacement, McClintock notes. Chicago Tribune
(5/4)
- Sliding roof renders New Jersey building unsafe
The pitched shingle roof atop the St. Francis Cathedral Catholic Youth Organization building in Metuchen, N.J., has slipped about six inches and rendered the building unsafe. Support clips have been installed on the roof to prevent further movement, according to Rev. Monsignor Robert Zamorski. The roof is expected to be replaced, but there's no warranty because it was installed on the building 20 years ago, Zamorski said. MyCentralJersey.com (Somerville, N.J.)
(5/3)
- $1.87B redesign of United Nations HQ under way in NYC
A $1.87 billion renovation project for the United Nations headquarters in New York City is under way. The General Assembly will be stripped to its concrete walls and redeveloped to meet modern safety standards. Designers are looking to conduct intensive refurbishments that will be unnoticeable in their quest to preserve the building's 1950s modernist architectural style. "The idea is to return the luster to the jewel," said Marian Miszkiel, senior engineer on the United Nations capital master-plan team. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
(5/1)
- First phase of $250M redevelopment project to begin work in Boston
The first phase of a $250 million project to redevelop Jackson Square between Boston's Jamaica Plain and Roxbury neighborhoods is slated to break ground on May 12. The first phase of the 14-building project calls for construction of 103 rental housing units and 16,000 square feet of retail, according to local officials. The project calls for construction of buildings for a variety of uses, ranging from commercial to recreational purposes. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model)
(5/3)
| Energy & the Environment | | |
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| In the Office | | |
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- Prepare yourself for the coming uptick in small-business lending
Research shows many banks have plans to step up their lending to small businesses. "As more banks pursue small business lending, you could find yourself with more options, including new banks you may not have considered before," Rieva Lesonsky writes. "Use a variety of sources to keep in the loop as to which banks are most aggressive in pursuing small business loans." Small Business Trends
(5/2)
| Government & Regulatory | | |
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| NRCA News | | |
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OSHA announces fall-prevention campaign
Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis has announced a new campaign led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to prevent deadly falls in the construction industry. The awareness campaign will provide employers and workers with life-saving information and educational materials about working safely from ladders, scaffolds and roofs. During 2010, more than 10,000 construction workers were injured as a result of falling while working from heights, and another 255 workers were killed. Learn more.
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Attend ROOF INDIA 2012
ROOF INDIA 2012, Asia’s largest roofing and allied technologies event, will be held May 25-27 at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India. The three-day event will feature more than 150 national and international companies showcasing the latest in roof systems, architectural cladding, metal building systems/pre-engineered buildings, tensile architecture, vegetative roofs, waterproofing, roof insulation, roofing machinery and more. A two-day conference will be held in conjunction with the event; speakers will address industry-related issues. Learn more.
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