Under the Hard Hat

Author: Jonathan Barnes

  • Digital solutions to bidding could win your next contract

    Digital solutions to bidding could win your next contract

    Construction bidding software like SmartBid and PlanHub helps contractors stay on budget throughout a project. The right platform efficiently manages estimates, proposals, bid submissions, materials procurement, and other aspects of bidding. But you must know what you’re looking for to find the right software solution for your company.

    Bidding on future projects is a regular task for contractors who want to stay profitable and grow their business. However, the bidding process often has tight timelines, making it challenging to keep up with document management, cost estimating, tracking bids, and other related tasks. 

    That’s where bidding software comes into the picture. Some platforms are designed explicitly for bidding tasks, and some end-to-end suites also have features managing the bid proposal process. The choice depends upon a company’s needs.

    Why should you use construction bidding software?

    Bidding software is beneficial for contractors and construction companies for several reasons, including:

    • Integration of accounting, bidding, project management, and CRM tools
    • Document management and reporting
    • Coordination of estimates and bids with subcontractors
    • Tracking bids

    Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular construction bidding platforms.

    Top 5 bidding software programs for construction companies

    1. SmartBid

    Fluctuating materials prices are just one of many moving target-type considerations in creating and submitting an accurate bid. Contractors need help with the process, and help is available. SmartBid is a bidding software built specifically for contractors to help organize pre-construction information. 

    The platform allows you to invite subcontractors to bid and prequalify for projects and share information with your bidding team. Subcontractors get free access to the platform and can access your plan room to help with the bid while you check responses to get the correct bid in on time.

    Software features

    • Share project documents with subcontractors to create faster, more accurate estimates
    • Create custom invitations to bid for all your selected subcontractors
    • Prequalify subcontractors through a prequel questionnaire
    • Track invitations to bid
    • Publish public projects easily 

    2. PlanHub

    Contractors scrutinize labor costs now, perhaps more than ever, in construction. There’s no room for error when estimating labor costs for a project bid, and planning the bid right is crucial.

    PlanHub is an end-to-end construction platform that helps simplify all preconstruction documentation. It’s a complete suite of tools centrally located to handle various construction tasks.

    Software features

    • Find leads and projects
    • Collaborate and network with subcontractors and general contractors
    • Develop winning bids with tools like takeoff, estimation, and bid leveling
    • Uncover pricing analyses, competitive bidding insights, leads, and more insights

    3. Quick Bid

    Making the correct bid on a job is as important as picking the right jobs for your company. Sometimes, tweaking aspects of the bid as you move forward in the bidding process is required, and Quick Bid is a handy tool for that and other bid-related tasks.

    Quick Bid is a bidding-focused platform that allows you to compile itemized costs, labor rates, change orders, and materials costs to accurately estimate a job’s cost and prevent over- or under-bidding. An add-on of this platform allows you to buy trade-specific databases with hundreds of items, assemblies, and more bidding information. You can also access specialty items, assemblies, and other bidding information from manufacturers.

    The platform integrates with On-Screen Takeoff software to import your takeoff data faster. 

    Software features

    • Get timely cost quotes from suppliers with the eQuote feature
    • Manage your bid’s conditions, equipment, labor, markup, and materials with the Bid Navigator feature
    • Send materials lists to suppliers for prices and automatically input them into your bid
    • Integrates with On-Screen Takeoff and accounting platforms
    • Built-in templates let you export job costing info
    • Creates proposals with detailed info on job costs

    4. ProContractor

    Pro Contractor by Viewpoint is an end-to-end construction management suite that also handles costing and bid management. It integrates with Excel and has estimating modules, including CAD file import/export. It helps you perform takeoffs for more accurate bids and speeds the bid process by automating tasks.

    Software features

    • Accurately performs takeoffs for targeted bids
    • Improves the accuracy of cost reports and projections
    • Compares budgets against pending and posted costs
    • Digitizes takeoff tasks, saving time and removing human error
    • Tracks all aspects of projects, providing business insights
    • Strengthens controls on costs and schedules

    5. ConWize

    ConWize helps users simplify procurement and streamline the bidding process. It seamlessly manages the procurement lifecycle, starting with bid management, and automates tasks to free up time. The company claims its platform has a return on investment (ROI) that’s just a few months. 

    Software features

    • Reduces bid creation and submission time
    • Enables users to get the bill of quantities from a 3D model
    • Helps plan and manage contractual agreements
    • Integrates with Autodesk Construction Cloud
    • Integrates with Procore and is available in the Procore marketplace
    • Provides an easy-to-use digital procurement process
  • Balancing work and life on the road in the skilled trades

    Balancing work and life on the road in the skilled trades

    Many workers, especially those with families, struggle with the personal difficulties of life on the road. Exercise regimens are lost, diets are forgotten, and contact with family becomes less frequent—not to mention increasing stress levels. But road work is part of the job, and the job is part of life.

    It’s easier to deal with the struggles of working out of town for weeks or months at a time if you have a plan. Here are some of our top tips for work-life balance on the road.

    5 tips for achieving work-life balance on the road

    1. Stay on your exercise plan

    Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you need to fall off-track with your exercise routine. It’s also a great way to reduce stress. According to a recent ADAA online poll, roughly 14% of people use exercise to cope with stress. 

    2. Focus on sleep

    Most people find it difficult to sleep in a bed that’s not theirs, which means adequate rest goes out the window. But remember, it’s temporary. Investing in portable blackout curtains and a sound machine are great ways to set your sleep environment up for success. Positive self-talk, guided meditations, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques are also helpful to support sleep.

    Try it out: Headspace for meditation and better sleep

    3. Schedule time to stay in touch with your loved ones

    Scheduling calls with family is an easy way to maintain communication.  Keep the conversations positive, upbeat, and reassuring for your family.

    4. Eat clean

    Finding nutritious food on the road can be challenging. If you know where you’ll be stationed, search out grocery stores, markets, and other places to find whole foods. If possible, request a hotel with a kitchenette. 

    For Annemarie, a construction worker who was frequently on the road, going home on weekends to prepare meals for herself for the upcoming week made sense. It helped her eat nutritiously and gave her comfort from home while out of town.

    5. Remember your why

    Every worker has a different reason for life on the road—remember it. Keeping your why in the back of your head, even during the tough times, helps you push through. And don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process.

  • OSHA soliciting comments on proposed new heat safety regs

    OSHA soliciting comments on proposed new heat safety regs

    With record-high temperatures in recent years in the U.S., federal officials are working to keep workers cooler and safer. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting comments from the public on its proposed new heat safety regulations. The new National Emphasis Program (NEP) is meant to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses by mandating that certain conditions be maintained for workers, including access to shade, water breaks, and other measures to protect them from heat-related illnesses.

    However, some are questioning the new rule’s practicality. The rule includes regulations regarding indoor and outdoor work temperatures, specific to workers who wear protective clothing and those who don’t. For example, asbestos abatement workers who wear protective body suits and respirators while removing asbestos in hot conditions.

    The proposed regulation mandates, among other things, that indoor workplaces must be cooled to below 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present. If feasible, the indoor work area must also be cooled to 82 degrees in places where workers wear protective clothing or work in high-radiant areas.

    The proposed rule is part of a package of more stringent heat safety regulations that OSHA is developing. This includes a rulemaking process to develop a workplace heat standard. OSHA is seeking public input on the rules before their final adoption.

    The NEP will include worksite inspections, communication with companies on the new rules, and support for companies in complying with them. Under the proposed rule, OSHA will inspect worksites on days when the heat index is expected to be 80 degrees or higher.

    OSHA is working to lower workers’ exposure to heat-related hazards that result in illness, injury, or death. OSHA officials could inspect a work site for heat stress conditions under certain conditions, such as when an employee injury occurs and the heat index is above 80 degrees onsite, if an employee complains about heat-stressing conditions, and in pre-planned inspections that investigate a combination of conditions which could result in heat-related injuries or death.

    With the proposed new rule, OSHA is scrutinizing more than 70 high-risk industries, including construction and agriculture. The NEP requires a company’s Certified Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) to review documents and inspect for heat illness-related compliance procedures. Companies must be prepared to do the following:

    • Supply OSHA 300 Logs and 301 Incident reports (if required by that industry)
    • Interview workers for conditions that may indicate heat-related illnesses
    • Determine if the employer has a heat illness and injury program

    OSHA has programs that will help employers comply with the new rules, including its Heat Safety Tool. The tool provides safety information that’s accessible on mobile phones and enables workers to calculate the heat index on their worksite while displaying a risk level for that heat index. From there, the app provides protective measures to maintain workers’ safety, like reminders to schedule rest breaks, keep employees hydrated, plan for an emergency related to the heat, and more.

    To submit comments, please follow these instructions:

    You may submit comments and attachments, identified by Docket No. OSHA–2021–0009, electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for making electronic submissions. After accessing ‘‘all documents and comments’’ in the docket (Docket No. OSHA–2021–0009), check the “proposed rule” box in the column headed “Document Type,” find the document posted on the date of publication of this document, and click the “Comment Now” link. When uploading multiple attachments to regulations.gov, please number all of your attachments because regulations.gov will not automatically number the attachments.

  • A contractor’s etiquette lesson: to be a neighborly contractor, love your neighbors

    A contractor’s etiquette lesson: to be a neighborly contractor, love your neighbors

    Urban renewal is in full swing all over the US. With projects booming in suburbs and metro areas, disruption has become the norm. To be a neighborly contractor, there are some rules you’ll want to follow—be realistic with your project schedule, follow local building codes, don’t be overly noisy, and be courteous of residents.

    Avoiding the local code enforcement officer should be an understood objective of any contracting company, which means following local building codes, staying safe on the job, and not intentionally or unwittingly angering the neighbors.

    To be a neighborly contractor, be mindful of the work you’re doing and how it impacts people around the project. 

    In simple terms, you need to love your neighbor.

    6 etiquette rules for neighborly contractors

    1. Define an achievable and swift project schedule

    When working in a residential area, keep your projects timely. Construction sites aren’t known to be quiet, and neighbors don’t want to hear noise for years on end. A contractor should plan a timely completion without compromising work quality.

    Feeling no deadline pressure can engender tardiness or infrequent work and an apathetic attitude among workers.

    2. Follow local building codes and permits

    Every job site has specific codes and permits that dictate when they can work. Disregarding permits and codes can result in city official visits and hefty fines.

    3. Keep a clean worksite

    Job sites are fenced off for a reason—they aren’t safe for the general public to enter without proper PPE. To avoid injuries, ensure you keep your job site clean. Where possible, clean up debris and excess materials. 

    “Consideration for the rights and feelings of others is not merely a rule for behavior in public but the very foundation upon which social life is built.”

    —Emily Post

    4. Remember, you’re a guest in the area

    While you may be at your location for a job, you’re still a guest in the area. Behave as courteously as if you were staying with long-lost relatives on an out-of-town visit.

    Be kind. Never bicker with, heckle, flip off, curse, or in any way quarrel with neighbors around the project.

    5. Don’t drag out the project timeline

    Remember that your project impacts others in the area and you don’t want to cause unnecessary disruptions.

    Unless you hit major roadblocks, like a lack of proper financing, stick to your project timeline and aim to complete it as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality.

    6. Never use one work site to stage materials for another

    Cities have zoning laws to separate land uses in a reasonable way. That’s why you’ll never find large piles of gravel and other industrial materials in residential areas—they aren’t permitted. Storing materials on a residential street isn’t just illegal—it’s also highly disruptive. 

  • NYC focus on construction worker ODs highlights an epidemic

    NYC focus on construction worker ODs highlights an epidemic

    The Big Apple has become the ‘Big Chill’ for construction workers caught up in drug addiction. Overdose deaths in New York in the construction sector have soared to unheard-of levels, and officials are taking action to stop the epidemic.

    NYC construction workers lead occupational groups in overdose deaths

    In late October 2023, following shocking survey results, New York City officials announced a plan to connect with construction workers to reduce drug overdose deaths.

    New York’s Health and Buildings departments have implemented two methods to reduce OD-related deaths:

    1. Informing the city’s construction sector about the dangers associated with substance abuse.
    2. Providing construction workers with resources to prevent fatal overdoses.

    Staff from both departments are visiting construction sites to talk about substance abuse and the dangers of street drugs.

    According to data from the New York City Health Department, at least 269 construction workers died of an overdose in 2020—the most of any occupation considered in the analysis.

    A separate 2018 analysis done by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) came to similar conclusions: “Construction occupations had the highest proportional mortality rates for drug overdose deaths and for both heroin-related and prescription opioid-related deaths.”

    Overdoses by the numbers

    About 15% of US construction workers have a substance abuse disorder compared to 8.6% of the general population.

    • 2% have an alcohol use disorder compared to 7.5% nationally
    • 16.5% of construction workers report heavy alcohol consumption within the previous month
    • 11.6% of construction workers reported illicit drug use within the previous month
    • 14.3% of construction workers were diagnosed with a substance use disorder in the past year
    • 2.3% have a marijuana use disorder

    About 1.3% of construction workers have an opioid use disorder, almost twice the national average. And nearly 3 out of 4 injured construction workers were prescribed a narcotic for pain relief in 2016.

    Opioids account for nearly 20% of the total spending on prescription drugs in the construction industry—higher than any other industry, according to a report published by CNA Financial. 

    But the statistics don’t improve from here.

    • Construction workers are seven times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than workers in any other industry
    • Construction workers have the highest percentage of heroin-related overdose deaths
    • Construction workers represent roughly 25% of fatal opioid overdoses among workers in all industries 

    Changing construction culture

    NYC politicians prompted publicity on drug overdoses in the industry, but it points to a larger issue in construction: a culture that celebrates hard work and a good work ethic but also where substance abuse (drugs, tobacco, alcohol) runs rampant.

    A November 2020 study published in Drug Alcohol Review stated that one in six construction workers reported workmates being visibly affected by alcohol on the job. Prevalence for risky drinking in construction was higher than the national average, especially for workers 25 and under and for middle-aged workers 45 to 54. 

    The solution: Tailoring educational programs to at-risk age demographics can help increase awareness of risks to workplace safety. But it’s also on companies to adopt workplace norms that inhibit the social acceptability of risky behavior on the job.

    Drug testing employees is a common practice in many companies to ensure employee safety.  Instituting a drug testing policy could not only save a company from potential lawsuits resulting from workplace injuries, but it could also save lives. 

    An article published in OHS Online on drug testing in the workplace backs its implementation. A survey of companies with high workers’ compensation incidence rates reported a drop in those rates from 14% to 6% following the implementation of drug testing programs.

    Getting rid of the stigma associated with mental health and addiction can also go a long way to improving outcomes for construction workers. But all of this must be done alongside enforcing “no alcohol and drugs” in the workplace. 

    Signs of drug or alcohol abuse in workers are generally not obvious. Whether you’re a CEO or someone at the bottom of the chain, know the signs—it could save a life. 

  • Nira app sheds light on infrastructure

    Nira app sheds light on infrastructure

    3D modeling and AI are taking the construction industry by storm, offering a more efficient and detailed view of structures. Nira is a relatively new collaborative platform capable of rendering massive 3D assets for greater interactivity, web-based inspection, and review from multiple devices.

    3D modeling in construction

    The present and future of construction in the U.S. and other Western nations are and will continue to be, partly focused on upgrading and replacing aging infrastructure. While old-school methods still work, 3D modeling and AI play increasingly essential roles in construction.

    To replace or retrofit aging infrastructure, engineers must know its current state. This is accomplished through inspections of the asset (often including photographs) and 3D modeling that details its deficits.

    Before engineers can recommend changes or total replacement, they must assess the structure. Drones, scanners, and other methods of mapping structures are becoming more commonplace for structure assessments. It might also be worthwhile for them to learn about these technologies so they can partner with mapping companies or even offer such services themselves.

    Understanding and being able to work with and around tech tools is at the heart of the client experience—but it also benefits the business itself.

    New construction projects are glitzy, boast-worthy, and high-priced, but repeat customers can be the bread and butter of a contractor’s sales. Contractors who’ve worked on an asset and familiarized themselves with the idiosyncrasies of the structure often stand a better chance of winning major rehab projects on the structure, based in part upon a good existing work relationship with the owner.

    Nira: The newest collaborative platform in the industry

    Nira is a relatively new collaborative platform that allows industry workers to interactively review, organize, and collaborate on assets across their entire project. 

    Here are the basics:

    • Basic platform for $9 per month
    • Upgrade to a Business or Enterprise account for an additional fee
    • Pay-as-you-go option allows you to store 3D models in the cloud and pay for what you use

    Launched in 2014, Nira was designed to handle one of construction’s most common problems: effective collection and management of asset data. The typical large construction site could be managed through a few construction apps, but a clear understanding of the data being gathered by the tech tools is rarely, if ever, achieved. Most of this problem hinges on the methods of sharing, storing, and managing the data.

    “Before Nira, there really hasn’t been a tool for contractors that enables them to view and share their latest data sets in any mobile formats—even in a 10-year-old iPhone, for instance,” says Aresh Keissami, Nira founder. 

    Nira makes 3D models of assets available for visualization, viewing, and overall asset management.

    “I wanted a platform that made all of that information accessible, and that’s what we’ve devised in Nira,” Keissami said. “We are a bootstrapped company and we are already profitable.”

    In many markets, not just construction, large 3D models need to be reviewed and iterated on for style and other factors. However, this task is very labor-intensive and poses a solvable problem for Nira’s founders, which they believe they’ve solved with their platform.

    Does the construction industry need 3D modeling services?

    The popularity of drones and 3D-modeling tech tools means that adding 3D modeling as a service could make sense for some contractors. It’s a big win for customers who need visualizations to seal the deal.

    “There’s a wow factor you get with these digitized models,” Keissami said, noting that the wow could lead to greater sales for a company.

    While Nira isn’t only used in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), its applicability in this industry is growing rapidly. Part of that growth is undoubtedly due to the platform’s integration with other tech tools.

    “The main thing we are working to do is to have image parity compared to our competitors,” Keissami said. “You cannot get a better quality model for a lower price than we offer while making the most of the hardware that you’ve already purchased.”

    If you currently use a scanner or drone, Nira can integrate with that technology.

    At first, Nira’s founders weren’t sure the platform would work well for AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction). It turned out differently, with Nira being a better fit for some AEC companies than the platform’s leaders could have imagined. The platform’s ability to integrate with other tools well and its usability lends itself to fast adoption by construction-focused companies. That is true, in part, because of the changing needs of AEC customers and the companies that serve them.

    AEC companies are gaining interest in continuous monitoring of job sites for safety inspections, compliance with specifications, and progress. Monitoring is done with drones and gives managers a regularly updated “snapshot” of the project.

    Capturing the big picture—in detail

    Updating 3D models through monitoring and data gathering is one of Nira’s sweet spots. Due to several recent collapses of older structures, the need for tools like Nira has become apparent. Seeing the defects, refining the model, and sorting out extraneous details can offer the right solution at the right time.

    “People use Nira to look up an asset that has been modeled and to clean it up,” said Keissami, noting that even details like a bird’s nest in the superstructure of a bridge can be easily discerned by viewers. “The quality is so good that you can look at the sticks in the nest and easily identify it.”

    Unlike other 3D tools, Nira captures the big picture in immaculate detail. The platform can analyze large amounts of data while maintaining the full integrity of the imaging. That means nothing is missed—no small detail goes unnoticed, which is why AEC customers flock to the app.

    “We maintain the full integrity of the 3D model. With Nira, you are able to use the highest visualization of the data that is being modeled,” Keissami said.

    Other 3D modeling apps require more handiwork and hassle from users. Users often have to zoom in closely to inspect details. Uploading times on other tools are also longer. With Nira, the image details are apparent immediately, and uploading times are rapid. 

    Final thoughts

    While the advantages of 3D modeling in construction are becoming more evident, only some are embracing the tech leap as quickly. It could take longer before 3D modeling reaches its maximum potential in AEC.

    “At the very least, it’ll take a few years more until everyone gets involved with 3D modeling,” Keissami said, noting that technology is improving rapidly, which is making the adoption of these tech tools easier for many. 

    “The learning curve is flattening out a lot. With Nira, it’s so affordable that many companies are inclined to try out the platform… I think being able to have that digital record of the project, starting at the beginning of a construction project and using a digital twin for the work rather than photos, is becoming very attractive to many people working in AEC. As opposed to photos of a project, 3D modeling gives you a better sense of the extent.”

  • Chemical exposure and hearing loss in construction

    Chemical exposure and hearing loss in construction

    Most construction workers don’t know that exposure to loud, jarring noises isn’t the only way to damage their hearing. Exposure to ototoxic chemicals like solvents and heavy metals through inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion can also lead to auditory damage. Once in the bloodstream, they invade the auditory pathway and cause damage, resulting in tinnitus and hearing loss. 

    Quick look

    • Ototoxic chemicals like arsenic and butanol damage the auditory nerves and structures of the inner ear
    • Chronic exposure to chemicals can cause permanent damage to hearing or hearing-related issues like tinnitus
    • Some research shows a link between marijuana use and tinnitus
    • Job-related environmental factors and lifestyle choices contribute to hearing loss

    What are ototoxic chemicals?

    When inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin, ototoxic chemicals damage the inner ear and auditory nerves, which can lead to tinnitus (a constant ringing, clanging, or hissing in the ears) and hearing loss. 

    There are more than 100 potentially ototoxic chemicals, but the three main types include:

    • Solvents like butanol, carbon disulfide, and ethanol
    • Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and manganese
    • Asphyxiants like acrylonitrile, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide

    Some medications, such as quinine and salicylic acids (including aspirin), can also be ototoxic substances, as is tobacco smoke. There’s no clear answer about marijuana smoke, but some research has linked it to tinnitus.

    Generally, ototoxic substances are absorbed through the skin, but inhalation and ingestion can also occur. Because these substances adversely affect hearing, they can also alter a person’s sense of balance.

    Impact of ototoxic chemicals on hearing

    There are several ways ototoxicity can damage a worker’s hearing. These toxic substances themselves are known to cause certain kinds of permanent damage to the auditory system. Still, their damaging effects can be compounded when the worker also labors in an environment with constant loud noises. 

    Some of the most common auditory effects of chemical exposure include:

    • Tinnitus: A condition characterized by constant ringing, buzzing, or other sounds without an external source (other people can’t hear it)
    • High-frequency hearing loss: The loss of ability to hear sounds in higher pitches
    • Sensorineural hearing loss: Permanent hearing impairment due to damage of hair cells within the inner ear, the vestibulocochlear nerve, or the brain’s central processing centers
    • Cochlear damage: Ototoxic chemicals can damage delicate structures of the inner eat, especially the cochlea 

    Marijuana use and tinnitus

    Some research has found a link between marijuana smoke and hearing issues, suggesting that it may be an ototoxic substance. And because marijuana use is high in the construction industry, proper education of construction workers is critical.

    While about 10–25% of American adults sometimes experience tinnitus, some experts suggest that up to 10% have chronic tinnitus.

    Protecting your hearing from the assaults of loud noises should be a given, but curbing smoking of any kind is another way to avoid auditory damage. 

    Job-related and lifestyle risk factors

    Exposure to ototoxic substances is common in many industries, including manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, and the utility sector. But workers in the printing, firefighting, and painting trades are the most heavily affected by exposure. 

    Workers exposed to a combination of ototoxic substances, such as solvent fumes and exhaust from a machine or vehicle, or exposed to a combination of the ototoxic substance and loud noises, are at an increased risk of hearing loss. These environmental irritants affect hearing, and the effect is compounded when more than one irritant is present simultaneously.

    Work activities that commonly combine noise and ototoxic substances include:

    • Painting
    • Printing
    • Boat building
    • Construction
    • Furniture making
    • Fueling vehicles and aircraft
    • Manufacturing
    • Degreasing
    • Firefighting
    • Firing weapons

    Avoiding exposure to loud noises and ototoxic chemicals can help limit auditory damage, but that may be easier said than done in some industries. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures become imperative in that case. For example, painters who work around solvents can reduce their risk by using proper ventilation, being diligent about personal hygiene at work, wearing appropriate PPE like gloves, masks, and hearing protection, and avoiding smoking (and second-hand smoke). 

    Reducing harmful chemical exposure

    Reducing chemical exposure isn’t always as easy as avoiding it altogether. Ototoxic chemicals are a big part of some industries, but workers can educate themselves on minimizing risk. 

    Some of the easiest ways to limit chemical exposure include:

    • Learn about what chemicals you’re dealing with
    • Lower noise volumes or create mufflers
    • Use proper ventilation 
    • Substitute for less harmful chemicals whenever possible 
    • Have your hearing checked regularly

    Workers regularly exposed to ototoxic substances should, when possible:

    • Reduce noise exposure to 80 dB or below
    • Undergo a hearing test at least annually
    • Be aware of ototoxic substances on their job site 
    • Use appropriate PPE

    Substituting a non-ototoxic substance for a harmful one is recommended for workers who regularly come into close contact with such chemicals. Isolating harmful fumes through an exhaust pipe or proper ventilation is also recommended. Workers should always use personal protective equipment to prevent skin and respiratory absorption.

    Drugs/foods that can worsen hearing loss

    Noise and chemicals are two biggies that contribute to hearing loss, but drugs and certain foods can, too—and many of them are things construction workers commonly consume. While some appear as seemingly benign foods, like coffee and beer, they can worsen hearing loss if it’s already begun. 

    These foods, chemicals, and drugs all affect the auditory pathways, so it’s important to be cognizant of what you’re putting in your body, especially if you’re already dealing with hearing impairment of any degree. 

    If you struggle with hearing, here are some consumables to avoid or limit:

    • Alcohol: Damages hair cells in the ear that translate sound into nerve impulses for hearing, leading to permanent hearing loss
    • Caffeine: Caffeine can cause temporary hearing loss or worsen existing hearing loss
    • Nicotine: Nicotine can cause tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo by changing or damaging cochlear hair cells, reducing oxygen circulation, and altering blood supply
    • Opioids: Codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, and other opioids may impair auditory neuromodulation and cause hearing loss

    Symptoms of ototoxicity

    Ototoxic chemicals can damage the structures of the inner ear, leading to hearing and balance problems. Some problems, like tinnitus, can develop slowly and take years to notice, while others are more noticeable and problematic. 

    Symptoms of ototoxicity can vary among individuals. Damage to the hearing organs can range from mild to severe hearing loss and may include tinnitus. If the organs controlling balance are damaged, symptoms can range from dizziness and nausea to imbalance and blurry vision. These symptoms may be temporary or permanent.

    The most common symptoms of ototoxicity include:

    • Hearing loss: This can be mild or severe, or even total hearing loss. It can be bilateral, affecting both ears and may go unnoticed until it affects a person’s ability to understand speech.
    • Tinnitus: Also known as ringing in the ears, this is usually the first sign of ototoxicity.
    • Balance problems: Can range from mild to severe and may include feeling dizzy or lightheaded, unsteady, or having trouble walking.
    • Other symptoms: These may include a feeling of fullness in the ear, headache, and blurry vision (oscillopsia), which is when your vision bounces or blurs when you move your head.

    Keep hearing safe from ototoxins 

    To prevent ototoxic chemical-related hearing damage, use a mix of occupational safety measures, such as PPE, and frequent monitoring of hearing health. An audiometric test, also known as a hearing test, measures the ability to hear sounds and can help determine the cause of hearing loss. Workers should be tested at least annually, if not twice a year.

    Here are six ways to protect yourself from hearing loss:

    1. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear PPE ear protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, to lower exposure to loud noises, and use chemical-resistant gloves to reduce exposure to ototoxic substances.
    2. Control noise: Reduce noise levels through soundproofing.
    3. Install ventilating systems: Ensure proper ventilation where ototoxic chemicals are present to disperse airborne chemicals and lower inhalation.
    4. Practice good hygiene: Employers must promote good hygiene, like regular handwashing, to lower contact with ototoxic substances. Workers should avoid touching their faces and mouths while they are working.
    5. Get your hearing tested regularly: Workers exposed to ototoxic substances should have regular audiometric testing to help detect changes in hearing early.
    6. Enroll in safety training: Workers should be trained on the hazards of ototoxic substances to educate them on where exposure happens and how to reduce their risk.

    Don’t fault yourself, protect yourself

    If you’ve developed work-related hearing issues, it’s easy to blame yourself. But kicking yourself over something that’s already happened is counterproductive—focus on what you can do to prevent further damage to your hearing.

    Working in the skilled trades can be a tough job that comes with its own set of risks, but protecting yourself from any risk is about educating yourself on where they are and what you can do to prevent them and protect your health. 

    Due to the nature of many occupations, hearing damage happens on the job. Orchestral musicians, as do the farmers who work around heavy machinery, develop hearing loss due to the nature of their work. Put simply, protecting your hearing comes down to knowing the risks and mitigating them through education, proper PPE, and regular hearing tests.

  • Värde Partners and David Weekley Homes join forces for land banking venture

    Värde Partners and David Weekley Homes join forces for land banking venture

    A global investment firm, Värde Partners, and large home builder David Weekley Homes announced a joint venture to land bank residential communities for David Weekley Homes across the nation back in April. The land banking partnership is meant to acquire and develop residential lots in high-demand U.S. markets. David Weekley Homes will manage the sourcing and land development.

    The joint venture has already closed on two projects in Phoenix, amounting to more than $100 million. The partnership is growing, with other deals expected to be finalized soon.

    Pipeline of development planned

    “We are pleased to formalize this new relationship with Värde, which will support our company’s growth goals and align with our longstanding asset-lite strategy,” said Heather Humphrey, Chief Financial Officer at David Weekley Homes. “The firm’s extensive experience investing in residential land development and reputation within the market made them a great partner for this venture. We are excited to have established this facility and look forward to an enduring partnership.”

    The strategy builds upon an existing bullish U.S. and Canadian home building and redevelopment business model that relies upon a regular flow of lower-cost immigrant workers to boost profit margins for contractors, developers, and owners. Wages are kept depressed even for many union workers, thus freeing more cash for owners and investors to bank in communities where sometimes little to no investment occurs for years.

    Värde Partners officials praised the joint venture.

    “Värde’s vast experience in U.S. housing and land development positions us as a valuable partner and provider of capital to homebuilders,” states Brendan Bosman, Senior Managing Director at Värde Partners. “David Weekley Homes is a preferred home builder in several master-planned communities in which Värde invests and has a reputation for operating with integrity and delivering high-quality homes.”

    Värde has 30 years of experience investing in real estate, including strategic land banking partnerships and master-planned communities.

    Headquartered in Houston, David Weekley Homes is a 48-year-old company working in 19 markets across the U.S.

    Flipside of the land banking coin

    Land banking is a long-term investment strategy in which investors wager that land in certain areas likely to be developed or redeveloped is worth buying and leaving undeveloped for years, sometimes even decades. It’s very conservative in that the investment could take significant time to pay off, and investors must have the patience to wait.

    But for some community activists in blighted areas of some U.S. cities, “land banking” is almost a fighting word—and certainly a slur to many. It connotes investors and developers that unilaterally decide what the future of a community will be without community input. In such cases, land banking can and often does mean leaving blighted properties to continue deteriorating without any care for their continuing deleterious effect on the community.

    Land banking is a type of speculative buying of real estate with the intent of developing it in the future. When that development occurs is left up to the owner. If the property is undeveloped for years, as is often the case in land banking, it removes the possibility of other investors developing those properties in a shorter time.

    When properties are held for speculation, with the hope that real estate prices will significantly increase over time in the areas in which they’re held, it can hinder an area’s development efforts. It also can reduce tax revenue that otherwise would be coming into local government coffers if properties were allowed to be developed piecemeal by individual developers rather than by large, distant, moneyed corporations. 

    Land bankers don’t always consider the feelings and hopes of community members, adding another layer to the puzzle.

    Proponents of the practice say transparency and accountability are paramount in land banking cases. Focusing on a community’s needs and involving its members to contribute to community plans are crucial for a land banking plan to be most successful.

    That said, land banking can be a good strategy in blighted areas with large amounts of vacant property. It also can be helpful in areas where many of those blighted properties are owned by the local government and are hard to develop because of tax liens and stringent property transaction requirements.

  • CAT’s new 973 track loader adds power and AI

    CAT’s new 973 track loader adds power and AI

    Caterpillar released the all-new 973 track loader, the manufacturer’s newest and largest model. It has a 275-horsepower engine and more power and maneuverability. You can also expect a more comfortable and navigable cab with high-tech features, fuel-saving, and anti-tipping technology. An optional Payload Technology feature is also available.

    High tech features

    The 973 track loader operators can look forward to an updated cab featuring a 10-inch touchscreen dash display, adjustable armrests, and a Slope Indicator feature for safer and smarter operation. Powertrain controls allow the operator to choose between a V-lever and pedal steer setup or a joystick steering mechanism. Those two choices are also available for loader controls.

    Cat has improved the implementation and steering response in the new 973. Operators can tweak the implement control by choosing one of three settings: coarse, normal, or fine.

    Auto Mode also enables greater fuel savings, which Cat claims can lower fuel use by 10%. Eco Mode, which can be used in lighter jobs, will also increase fuel savings. 

    But fuel savings don’t come at the expense of power—the 275 hp engine offers plenty of power. Turning the 973 into Power Mode will enable the operator to tap into maximum power by maintaining a high engine speed.

    Optional Payload Technology

    Overloading a bucket can be dangerous, and underloading a bucket can be wasteful. With its all-new Payload Technology, Cat’s new track loader helps operators avoid both extremes and save time and money.

    The feature weighs the bucketload to provide accurate load weight for the operator to avoid over- or under-loading the bucket. Payload Technology also decreases both cycle times and labor hours. 

    Other features

    • Product Link™ collects data automatically and accurately from equipment assets and can be viewed online through web and mobile applications
    • VisionLink® enables you to access information anytime, anywhere
    • Manage assets any time through your smartphone with the Cat App
    • Remote troubleshooting saves time and money by allowing Cat dealers to perform diagnostic testing remotely
    • Application Profile and Operator ID help save time by saving preferred machine settings
    • Enhanced security by requiring the operator to enter an ID before the machine will start
    973 track loader-1
    973 track loader-2
    973 track loader-3

    973 key specs

    • Engine model: Cat C9.3B
    • Emissions: Meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V, Korea Stage V,  China Nonroad Stage IV, Japan 2014 emission standards or Eurasian Economic Union Stage IIIA, UN ECE R96 Stage IIIA emission standards, equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 3/EU Stage IIIA
    • Net power: 275 hp
    • Displacement: 640.8cu in
    • Operating weight: 65,901 lb
    • Fuel capacity: 94.1gal
    • Bucket capacity (General Purpose): 4.2 yd3
    • Bucket capacity (Performance Series): 5.0 yd3
    • Bucket capacity (General Purpose Fusion): 4.2 yd3

  • Kyowa Kirin to build $530 million facility in NC

    Kyowa Kirin to build $530 million facility in NC

    Japan-based pharmaceutical company Kyowa Kirin recently announced plans to build a new biologic facility in Sanford, NC. When built, the facility will cover 171,700 square feet and have two reactors that will speed the development and production of biological therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases.

    The disruption of supply distribution lines during the COVID epidemic has prompted yet another company to invest in a production facility in the U.S.

    Biologic therapies will be the focus

    The facility will manufacture biologic therapies for the company’s planned clinical trials and future commercial use and create more resilient supply lines. The planned 75-acre campus in Sanford, NC, will allow for future expansion.   

    Construction of the facility will begin this year and is expected to be fully operational by 2027. Kyowa Kirin’s investment of up to $530 million will be supported by Leaders in the Tarheel State, who wholly back the facility plans and provide $10 million in performance-based state and local incentives to Kyowa Kirin over 12 years. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the investments should grow North Carolina’s economy by $1.05 billion over 12 years. 

    The plant is expected to create more than 100 new high-paying local jobs, with an average salary of $91,496. 

    Images courtesy of Kyowa Kirin

    Research Triangle sweet spot

    Kyowa Kirin said part of the reason the company chose North Carolina is the area’s existing base of skilled workers.

    “The extraordinary complexity of the medicines we manufacture requires specialized skills and resources that are in plentiful supply in Sanford and the Research Triangle region,” said Paul Testa, Executive Vice President, Regional Head of North America/EMEA Manufacturing, Kyowa Kirin North America. “We’re excited to collaborate with area colleges, universities, businesses, and civic leaders to ensure that our plans align with Sanford’s vision for growth, anchored in a rejuvenated manufacturing economy that offers diverse job opportunities and returns value to the community.”

    Another impetus behind this considerable investment is the company’s desire to help treat rare diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

    “Our North American presence continues to grow through strategic investments that are adding new capabilities, new therapeutic expertise, and new talent to our global organization, all in service of meeting patients’ needs,” said Steve Schaefer, Kyowa Kirin North American President. “Among the many qualities that drew us to North Carolina are our shared values, such as harmony and teamwork—known as Wa—which is deeply ingrained in our culture at Kyowa Kirin, evident in our longstanding corporate partnerships, and fundamental to high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing.” 

    Kyowa Kirin’s global manufacturing network includes sites in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Ube City, and Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan.

    The planned facility in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park region, home to universities and community colleges offering specialized curricula and training, will enable the company to tap the human talent available there. Kyowa Kirin will also benefit from the network of biomanufacturing resources already present.

    The Research Park Triangle is home to many pharmaceutical companies, including Impact Pharmaceutical Services, Cloud Pharmaceuticals, Inc., PharPoint Research, Inc., Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc., and others. The area also has about 450 life science companies, including Eli Lilly, Novartis, and GlaxoSmithKline.

    Advancing methods through investment

    Kyowa Kirin’s investment in North Carolina will enhance the company’s manufacturing productivity by building upon its methods and technologies. 

    “The new facility will be scalable with our Takasaki Plant in Japan to help ease technology transfer between the two plants and add production capacity. We believe this will help accelerate drug development and production,” said Toshiyuki Kurata, Chief Supply Chain Officer, and Global Manufacturing Head at Kyowa Kirin.