Author
Ground control, lighting to be discussed at safety seminar
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is hosting its 17th annual underground stone safety seminar Dec. 4-5 in Louisville, Ky. The seminar will include presentations on ground control and improved lighting for use in rib and roof examinations. The workshop on Dec. 4 will address bolting and scooping in underground limestone mines. The afternoon session that day features a hand and finger safety workshop. On Dec. 5, MSHA's Mike Davis will provide and update on health and safety issues. MSHA's Sandin Phillipson will discuss constraints related to pillar width and height selection. Dave Newman of Appalachian Mining and Engineering will deliver a presentation on proper back selection as the critical first step in ground control. Several other presentations are planned for later that day. Click here for a safety seminar registration form. Keep Reading
Tecweigh names Sarow national aggregate manager
Tecweigh has hired Rich Sarow as national aggregate/mining manager. Sarow has 26 years of experience in the in-motion weighing industry, most recently serving as regional sales manager at Schenck AccuRate. In addition to the aggregate and mining markets, Sarow will focus on growing business in the asphalt, cement, concrete, frac sand and precious metal markets. Keep Reading
Telsmith breaks ground on parts distribution center
Leaders from Astec Industries, Telsmith and the city of Mequon, Wis., broke ground Nov. 13 for construction of a 33,760-sq.-ft. facility. The facility will handle worldwide parts distribution for Telsmith products and be located next to the company's existing manufacturing facilities in Mequon. Telsmith currently operates a 14,000-sq.-ft. warehouse within its manufacturing facility. Plans are in place to expand manufacturing operations into the existing warehouse space once the new Telsmith parts distribution center opens next spring. Keep Reading
Nonresidential construction index rises slightly
FMI's Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) is up less than one point from last quarter to 55.5. FMI panelists attribute the uptick in nonresidential construction to optimism over the national and local economies. Still, FMI's panelists are hesitant about the economic strength of their own businesses because of a reduction in backlogs, the continued rise of material costs and lower productivity. Keep Reading
Green building outlook strong despite soft economy
The U.S. green building market continues to accelerate, according to McGraw-Hill Construction's 2013 green construction outlook report. Green building has grown from $10 billion in 2005 to $78 billion in 2011. In 2012, the total market for non-residential and residential green buildings is expected to be worth $85 billion. By 2013, that figure is projected to rise to between $98 billion and $106 billion. By 2016, this number is expected to reach $204 billion to $248 billion. Green building is expected to represent 44 percent of all commercial and institutional construction in 2012, growing up to 55 percent by 2016. Residential green construction is also on the rise. McGraw-Hill Construction expects green homes to comprise 20 percent of the market by the end of this year. In 2013, a 22 to 25 percent share by value is expected, equating to a $34 to $38 billion opportunity. Keep Reading
Near double-digit growth in works for construction put in place
FMI is forecasting an 8 percent increase in total construction put in place for 2013, attributing the forecast to more robust growth in residential construction and a few strong markets in nonresidential and non-building construction. According to FMI, private markets must lead the way in order for the economy to grow at a faster rate. Private markets must lead, FMI says, because of the looming fiscal cliff and the fact that state and municipal budgets are still in repair mode. In residential construction, FMI reports housing starts rose to 603,000 units per year as of September. Single-family permits also rose to a 545,000-unit pace, or 6.7 percent, returning to levels not seen since July 2008. Keep Reading
MSHA files record number of temporary reinstatement requests
MSHA filed 39 requests with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission during fiscal year 2012 for temporary reinstatements on behalf of miners who submitted complaints of discrimination in the form of a suspension, layoff, discharge or other adverse action. The 39 requests are the most MSHA has filed in a single fiscal year. MSHA filed 79 temporary reinstatement requests from October 2009 through September 2012 – an average of 26 per year – compared to an average of seven per year from October 1993 to September 2009. "MSHA strongly encourages miners to exercise their rights under the Mine Act and maximize their involvement in monitoring safety and health conditions," says Joe Main, MSHA assistant secretary of labor. "In turn, we will vigorously investigate all discrimination complaints." Keep Reading
Garlock now capable of producing belts up to 25 tons
Garlock Rubber Technologies (GRT) has nearly doubled the weight of individual, bulk-haulage conveyor belts it can produce for a wide range of industries, including mining and construction. "With the recent acquisition of a larger crane, we now have the capability to produce belts weighing up to 25 tons," says Jeff Phillips, GRT sales manager. "That means we can run longer segments – 72 in. wide and, depending upon construction, up to 1,500 ft. in length." GRT's previous lifting capacity was limited to 15 tons. Keep Reading
New facility expected to improve screen manufacturer’s productivity
Smico and Symons Screens, now based near Oklahoma City, recently moved into a new office and manufacturing facility that is expected to improve manufacturing efficiency, shorten lead times, improve test lab capabilities and parts delivery and make room for company growth. The company's 45,000-sq.-ft. facility houses new equipment such as a high-definition plasma cutter, a modern overhead crane system and CNC machines, which the company says should improve production speed by more than 50 percent. In addition, the company plans to expand to another shift next year and further increase the facility size at some point. Keep Reading
