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NSSGA to address members’ safety commitment with MSHA
NSSGA will have high-level discussions with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Joe Main over the next few weeks about issues tied to worker safety and health and compliance. An official meeting is planned for June 6 in Alexandria, Va. That meeting will be preceded by a May 14 meeting involving MSHA’s Joe Main, NSSGA President Joy Pinniger and Vice President for Safety Services Joseph Casper. NSSGA says it is approaching the meetings as opportunities to build on topics that have not been addressed in past meetings. Among the topics to be addressed are NSSGA members’ demonstrated commitment to safety and health; the distinction between aggregates and other MSHA stakeholders; concerns over inadequate training of inspectors, as well as inspector inconsistency; the failure or inability of inspectors to consider the issue of behavior when evaluating hazards; and the importance of good compliance assistance. Keep Reading
Graniterock hosting job and educational fair
Graniterock is hosting its fifth annual Construction Career Day on Friday, May 4, at A.R. Wilson Quarry in Aromas, Calif. The day is designed for Santa Cruz County high school students and will spotlight the career paths the construction industry has to offer. The day begins with a quarry tour at 9 a.m. It continues with presentations from a number of construction and green-building professionals. Learn more about career day from Luann Seaman at 831-479-5081 or luseaman@cabrillo.edu. Keep Reading
LiuGong names Eastern regional sales manager
LiuGong Construction Machinery has promoted Terry Ober to Eastern regional sales manager. Ober, who previously served as Northeast territory manager, will spearhead LiuGong’s dealer recruitment and training efforts, as well as support sales in the eastern part of the United States and Ontario. Keep Reading
MSHA releases latest mine fatality update
The Mine Safety and Health Administration reports 10 miners died in work-related accidents at U.S. mines during the first three months of 2012. Six of the deaths were coal mining related while the other four involved powered haulage, a fall from an elevated walkway and, in two separate incidents, fall of material. “Fatalities are preventable,” says Joseph A. Main, MSHA assistant secretary of labor. “Providing effective and appropriate training will ensure that miners recognize and understand hazards and how to control or eliminate them.” MSHA has taken actions to identify mines with health and safety problems, and it has initiated several outreach and enforcement initiatives, including “Rules to Live By.” Last month, MSHA issued an accident prevention alert to the mining industry in the wake of four consecutive weekends of mine fatalities. Keep Reading
Johnson Crushers names parts sales coordinator
Johnson Crushers International Inc. has promoted Justin Friedman to parts sales coordinator. Friedman has spent seven years with Johnson Crushers, working in both the parts and shipping departments. Keep Reading
Martin Marietta taking case to Vulcan Materials shareholders
Martin Marietta Materials Inc. is sending a letter to the shareholders of Vulcan Materials Co., soliciting votes for four independent director candidates nominated by Martin Marietta to serve on the Vulcan Materials board. The four candidates would serve as the class up for election at Vulcan Materials' 2012 annual meeting. The purpose of Martin Marietta’s solicitation is to elect directors who the company says will bring a fresh, independent perspective into the Vulcan Materials boardroom regarding Martin Marietta’s business combination proposal. “We firmly believe a combination of Martin Marietta and Vulcan makes a great deal of strategic and financial sense,” says Ward Nye, president and CEO of Martin Marietta. “Vulcan shareholders deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard on this combination, which offers them an upfront premium, the return of a meaningful dividend and the opportunity to participate.” The full letter, which can be read at www.aggregatesleader.com, offers continued arguments to Vulcan Materials shareholders on the value of a Martin Marietta and Vulcan Materials merger. Along with the letter, Martin… Keep Reading
Dassault Systèmes acquires Gemcom Software
Vancouver-based Gemcom Software International has signed an agreement to be acquired by Dassault Systèmes, which provides businesses like aggregate producers with virtual universes in which they can achieve more sustainable innovations. Together, Gemcom and Dassault Systèmes will be creating a new brand called Geovia. Keep Reading
Senate, House name highway bill conferees
The U.S Senate named 14 of its members as conferees on the surface transportation reauthorization bill, and the U.S. House of Representatives named 33 of its members as conferees. The first conference meeting is expected to be held May 8. The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association says congressional staffers are likely to hold interim discussions on where their bosses stand on the issues. Keep Reading
Pit & Quarry hires new team member
Kevin Yanik has joined the editorial team at Pit & Quarry as managing editor. Yanik previously served as managing editor of Greenhouse Grower magazine, spending four years covering the floriculture industry in the United States. He is a graduate of John Carroll University who spent the first years of his career as a sports writer, covering the Houston Astros for MLB.com at one time. Yanik will also serve as managing editor for Pit & Quarry's sister publication, Portable Plants & Equipment. Keep Reading
