Dive Brief:

• On Monday, OSHA published a final rule concerning who may accompany agency inspectors, employers and workers on a workplace walkaround or inspection. The rule will go into effect May 31.
• The updated language reinstates a long-standing OSHA practice allowing employees to select a third party to accompany a walkaround. Under OSHA guidelines, both employers and employees have the right to have a representative accompany OSHA inspectors. A 2017 court case found that allowing third parties to represent employees was a “valid interpretation,” but not consistent with the language of the rule as written.
• The agency announced the rule proposal in August. At the time, OSHA said the change would improve inspections by increasing worker representation and making it easier for compliance officers to obtain more information about workplace safety.

Dive Insight:

Under the rule, an employee-approved third party member could potentially be a union representative, even on a non-union jobsite. That is a major point of concern for employer groups, who disapproved of the rule change in August.

“Now, construction employees and employers could face serious safety concerns because the final rule has the potential to allow anyone on a jobsite,” Greg Sizemore, Associated Builders and Contractors vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development said in a March 29 statement. “There simply is no business case for this final rule and no benefit during a compliance inspection.”

Sizemore went on to say “OSHA is injecting itself into labor-management disputes and casting doubt on its status as a neutral enforcer of the law,” as well as raising concerns on lack of clarity over liability should an employee representative get injured during an inspection.

On the other hand, Anthony Abrantes, assistant executive secretary-treasurer for the Eastern Atlantic State Regional Council of Carpenters, said the rule underscores the need for employees to have the necessary support and advocacy in an inspection setting.

“By clarifying employees’ rights to authorize a representative, this rule empowers workers to assert their safety concerns confidently, fostering a culture of accountability and protection in the workplace,” Abrantes told Construction Dive.

What will the rule mean for contractors? 

“I don’t see this one as a huge deal unless you are working on a highly confidential site,” said Dan Rosenberg, a Chicago-based lawyer and principal at Much Shelist, pointing out the change reverts to how the law was interpreted under the Obama administration.

“Jobsites are often walked by lots of different people, and adding one more doesn’t seem that big of deal to me from a practical perspective,” Rosenberg said. “Of course the visitor should be required to use PPE and conduct the walk in a safe manner, but practically the risk of an independent person ignoring safety while walking a site with OSHA seems low.”

WASHINGTON, DC — To highlight the myriad ways the plumbing industry creates positive change in a water-stressed world, IAPMO® promoted its March4Water initiatives around World Water Day by participating in and hosting numerous events on Capitol Hill the week of March 18-22.

The busy week culminated with a World Water Day celebration event marking the 10-year anniversary of The Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act, hosted by IAPMO, the Millennium Water Alliance and WaterAid US at the Cannon House Office Building. A capacity crowd gathered with federal administration leaders and elected officials to recognize the progress—and work still to be done—in accelerating access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene for millions in the United States and around the world.

Speakers and Sponsors

Moderated by Laura E. Kohler, chief sustainable living officer for Kohler Co., speakers included: Administrator Samantha Power, United States Agency for International Development; Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott, US Environmental Protection Agency; Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), majority whip, United States Senate; Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.); Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.); Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY); Mrs. Patti Simon; and Josh Norman, All-Pro NFL cornerback and founding board member of Football for Peace USA.

The event was sponsored by Chemonics, Ferguson, Kohler, LIXIL, P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water, Food for the Hungry, Football for Peace, Global Health Council, InterAction, Save the Children, Tetra Tech, TOTO, UNICEF USA, and World Vision.

“IAPMO was proud to join other industry stakeholders in such an incredible and meaningful dialogue around World Water Day,” said Christopher Lindsay, IAPMO vice president of Government Relations. “It illustrated the vital importance our industry will play in ensuring everyone has sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation. We are committed to continue being a leader in bringing about this transformative change.”

Water for Peace

Earlier Thursday, IAPMO partnered on an event on the National Mall led by Football for Peace titled “Leveraging Water for Peace.” Drawing high-level dignitaries and professional football and soccer players, it featured youth clinics, keynote speeches, and a symbolic wall kickoff. Erin McCusker, senior vice president, leader, SATO and LIXIL Public Partners, spoke at the event. McCusker leads LIXIL’s SATO program, which provides innovative and affordable sanitation products for underserved communities.

IAPMO Government Relations previously led an industry lobbying day at the New Jersey Statehouse on Monday and will continue its advocacy next week with events and meetings with legislators in Massachusetts.

More than 2 billion people worldwide—including more than 2 million Americans—live without access to running water, basic indoor plumbing, or proper sanitation. IAPMO is determined to close the world’s water gap.

During the construction of the San Diego Padres’ Petco Park, Gary Birdsall said his project team at the time found itself in a “peculiar situation,” when a historic building stood in the path of the planned outfield foul pole. 

“It wasn’t feasible to tear down this multi-story structure, so we needed an innovative solution,” said Birdsall, who worked at Bethesda, Maryland-based Clark Construction at the time of the project, which opened in 2001.

The result was a creative solution that required approval from Major League Baseball: A ball hit on one side of the Western Metals Building would be ruled fair, and the other side foul.

“This experience highlighted the importance of flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking in stadium construction, proving that even obstacles can be transformed into distinctive assets,” said Birdsall, now in the Denver area as the vice president of PCL Construction’s preconstruction sports division. 

The Edmonton, Alberta-based contractor has constructed several high-profile North American stadium projects. PCL’s current projects include modernizing and upgrading several of them, including:

• The $350 million Scotiabank Arena renovation project for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and NBA’s Toronto Raptors.
• The $300 million Rogers Centre renovation project for the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.
• The renovation of Crypto.com Arena, formerly the Staples Center, in Los Angeles.

As with working on a historic building, these renovations require creative solutions to complicated problems. At the same time, the fan experience at stadiums has evolved, and so too have the renovation projects designed to upgrade the technology at North America’s biggest venues.

Tight timelines

When upgrading an existing stadium, PCL and other contractors have short windows of time during offseasons, which often means stretching out the project over multiple phases and years. 

Even then, the timelines can grow and shrink depending on if teams make the playoffs or if the arenas host events like concerts in the offseason.

“On stadium renovation projects, much of our work is scheduled during the offseason, however it inevitably extends into the season with necessary prep and cleanup,” said Dale Koger, vice president of PCL’s sports division, also based in the Denver area.

As a result, Koger said, PCL teams find themselves working within occupied facilities behind the scenes, while meticulously trying to not disrupt the buildings’ schedule.

Eric Hernandez, a superintendent for PCL’s California buildings division, said he’s seen those challenges on Crypto.com Arena’s renovation. The final set of upgrades to the venue, first opened in 1999, will include renovations to the main concourse and tunnel club as well as redesigned locker rooms for home teams. 

“This [schedule] uncertainty makes planning difficult for the trades involved, requiring them to work overtime, including six-day weeks and night shifts, to meet the deadlines,” Hernandez said. “The necessity for the construction teams to vacate and clean the site before each event, effectively erasing any trace of their presence, intensifies the time constraints.”

At the same time, Hernandez said he’s noticed a shift in stadium construction and design toward those shorter timelines and fluid initial designs.

“This requires our teams to be highly adaptable,” he said. “It appears this trend will continue, leading to even shorter schedules and a greater need for quick adaptation.”

Upgrading technology

In Birdsall’s view, the “fan experience has been revolutionized.”

The modern pro stadium experience isn’t just a ticket and a seat, PCL’s stadium builders said. It’s an immersive experience with high-resolution screens, massive score boards, increased luxury options, fast WiFi and improved concession experiences.

“Over the past few years, stadium construction and design have been profoundly transformed by technology,” said Koger. “One of the most significant shifts I’ve observed is the emphasis on ‘futureproofing’ — designing stadiums not just for today’s tech but for tomorrow’s possibilities.” 

The futureproofing that Koger references will largely cater to the fan experience to enhance personalization and convenience, said Daniel Brown, senior project manager for PCL’s California buildings division.

“This shift toward more technologically sophisticated and fan-centric stadiums necessitates a seamless blend of design and construction efforts,” Brown said. “It’s reinforced by a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, which is crucial in navigating the tight schedules and exceeding expectations we face today.”

And stadiums that populate iconic skylines factor into the often-cited pride for contractors pointing to the visible impact their work has.

“Stadium projects hold a special charm and prestige,” Hernandez said. “These projects create an opportunity for tradespeople to be part of something monumental. There’s a deep sense of pride and legacy in contributing to such iconic projects, offering workers a chance to say, ‘I helped build that,’ and share a tangible piece of their legacy with their families.”

In discussing different approaches to decarbonization, sooner or later the potential of hydrogen power will enter the conversation.

Unlike fossil fuels the only end-product from hydrogen combustion is water. Also, hydrogen is attractive to engineers and system designers from an energy-density standpoint. Diesel, for example, has an energy density of 45.5 megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg), slightly lower than gasoline, which has an energy density of 45.8 MJ/kg. By contrast, hydrogen has an energy density of approximately 120 MJ/kg—almost three times more than diesel or gasoline.  

Up until now, the conversation has mostly been around fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). But recently Rinnai has pioneered hydrogen-powered water heating. The company currently offers models that can burn a 25% hydrogen/75% natural gas blend and has a working 100% hydrogen prototype.

We spoke with Renee Eddy, Rinnai America’s Chief Innovation Officer, about the challenges involved in developing and delivering hydrogen-powered water heating, and its potential both for the industry and consumers around the world.

CONTRACTOR: What do you see as the real promise of hydrogen technology?

Eddy: For the past two years we have been discussing sustainability with our customers. The message has been clear they are looking for balanced solutions. The value of hydrogen technology is providing a viable green gas alternative to our customers. As an example, in Canada and the US today, hydrogen is being blended up to 15% with natural gas. Our customers are aware of this and are looking for assurance’s their appliances will continue to operate as originally specified. Then, as we move towards zero emissions, hydrogen is an option that can help us achieve that goal.  

CONTRACTOR: While combusting H2 doesn’t release carbon, it does require energy to produce. Is the value in energy storage? In energy distribution? What do you see as hydrogen’s place in the carbon-reduction toolkit?

Eddy: Thank you for this question, Steve. Hydrogen, just like electricity, requires energy to be produced. Once produced hydrogen can support multiple applications. It can be a direct fuel source for appliances like water heaters or it can be used to replace fossil fuels for certain applications like back up power generation improving efficiency and reducing emissions. The key is to produce hydrogen with green energy. From Rinnai’s perspective, hydrogen is a green fuel source alternative providing customers a viable zero emissions choice.     

CONTRACTOR: Tell us about the current offering. Are they all currently available, or are some still in the concept stage?

Eddy: For the blending piece, the majority of our products are developed and produced in Rinnai Japan have already been tested to support Hydrogen blends. As a supplement to that, in the US, we have worked with UL as part of their hydrogen blend verification program and our RE160i and RU199i are the first products in the world to be verified up to 25% hydrogen. 

These products exist and are being sold today. Our plan is to continue this verification process across our product lines. Then our 100% hydrogen unit is in the prototype stage. We have prototypes installed in Australia with Australian Gas in their HyHome today and in 2024 we will be installing units in the SoCalGas [H2] Hydrogen Home and ATCO Fort Saskatchewan hydrogen project. We are looking forward to working with SoCalGas and ATCO to build out this important green fuel alternative. 

CONTRACTOR: Why was it important for Rinnai to be at the forefront of hydrogen powered water heating? 

Eddy: Hydrogen can play a key role in our Rinnai Innovation Manifesto. RIM 2050 has the goal of carbon neutrality/net zero by 2050, and hydrogen is part of our roadmap to achieve this goal. Within Rinnai our evaluations show that 95% of emissions are generated during product utilization. While achieving net zero across Rinnai requires us to address every aspect of our business, we recognize the importance getting product utilization to net zero plays in achieving this goal.

Our customers/end customers (users of our products), installers and builders are starting to ask about this alternative fuel and how our products will react to blends. As the company who has launched the world’s first 100% hydrogen water heater and who have the world’s first product verified up to 25% blending—for these applications Rinnai is the leader in this space. 

CONTRACTOR: What are some of the technical challenges in implementing hydrogen powered water heating?

Eddy: Thank you for the question Steve and there are a couple of challenges. From a product perspective we have encountered and worked to overcome several technology challenges with hydrogen. One example is developing the combustion technology for a fuel that for reliable combustion there is the need to develop “combustion stability”. 

However, for our appliances the biggest issue we see is the development and build out of a hydrogen infrastructure. Along those lines we are excited to see the Department of Energy (DOE) has put in place the hydrogen hub project and look forward to working with some of the selected teams on this project. 

CONTRACTOR: What’s next for Rinnai’s hydrogen-powered offering?   

Eddy: For the near term we will be working with UL to verify hydrogen performance across our product line. Then for the longer term launching our 100% hydrogen water heater.

 

 

 

For every 10 people working in construction, just one is a woman. 

While that number hasn’t changed dramatically in the last 10 years — women represented 9.1% of construction workers in 2013 versus 10.8% last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics — another aspect has shown more notable growth. 

Somewhat surprisingly, given construction’s reputation as a male-dominated sector, women have been making more strides in management positions. Indeed, women now represent 10.6% of construction managers, up from 7.3% a decade ago. That’s a growth rate of more than 45% for women managers in construction in the last 10 years. 

This gain in women leaders in construction is particularly apparent in the third-largest metro area in the country, Chicago. There, the offices of five major construction companies — Turner, Mortenson, Gilbane, AECOM Hunt and Powers & Sons — are all led by women.  

To wrap up March, which is a showcase for both Women in Construction Week and Women’s History Month, Construction Dive hosted a digital round table with these five women construction leaders to talk about their markets, individual backgrounds and what sets Chicago apart when it comes to construction. 

Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

CONSTRUCTION DIVE: In an industry that’s predominantly male, why do you think there’s a concentration of women construction leaders in Chicago?

KASIE MATHENA, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, AECOM HUNT: Women who have “made it” in construction tend to demonstrate characteristics of grit and mental fortitude by virtue of being female in a male-dominated construction space. 

When you combine this toughness with Chicago being a progressive city that has evolved to see the value of women beyond more traditional female-oriented careers, the result is highly capable people, often women, leading organizations.

KATE VAN ZEYL, VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER, TURNER: Chicago is an affordable, major metropolitan area that attracts talent and supports a network of women helping women across all types of industries.

But it’s also one of the most beautiful and architecturally significant cities in the United States with a concentration of top-notch architecture and construction firms. This naturally creates more opportunity for growth and advancement in AEC careers.

KARRIE KRATZ, VICE PRESIDENT, CHICAGO BUSINESS LEADER, GILBANE:

I relocated to our Chicago office for a career-advancing opportunity. I was drawn to this market and office because of the dynamic community that Chicago represents. 

Tell us a little bit about your specific backgrounds and stories. How did you get into construction?

KELLY POWERS BARIA, VICE PRESIDENT, POWERS & SONS CONSTRUCTION: I followed my family’s legacy in the construction industry. My grandfather founded Powers & Sons in 1967, and my father became president 20 years later, so I’ve grown up in and around the industry. 

My dad always felt that there was a place for anyone who wanted to work in the family business, no matter what you wanted to do. I got my degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and then worked in various real estate roles before returning to Powers & Sons in 2007. I now represent the third generation of the Powers family at the company. 

SHERYL VAN ANNE, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, MORTENSON: I feel my path to the construction industry isn’t necessarily remarkable. What is remarkable is that I continued in construction. 

Despite being in an industry where limited opportunities for advancement or growth can discourage women from staying long term, I knew I had found the right place for me. But I also knew I needed to stay resilient in combating stereotypes. To do that, I built a great network of people around me that I knew I could lean on and that encouraged me to persevere.

VAN ZEYL: My interest in the built environment dates to when I was the only female in drafting classes at my high school. I decided to study architecture in college because I was not aware of any other career opportunities in the industry at that time. After 11 years as a practicing architect, I realized my passion was really in building rather than design. 

A friend recommended I look into changing my career path to the construction side of the industry and I have never looked back.

MATHENA: My father was a self-taught residential exterior siding and roofing contractor. I would go to work with him in the summer starting at 6 years old until I was about 14. There was something from those experiences and observations that has pushed me to really appreciate what I like most about our industry — the opportunity to use both sides of my brain. I started in the industry in earnest at 19 through internships and part-time work and never looked back.

Do you all network together?

VAN ZEYL: We absolutely network and meet on a regular basis, both socially and professionally. That network is important as we each navigate our businesses, professional development and personal growth. While we are competitors, we each want to see the others succeed.

VAN ANNE: Of course! Since there is a limited number in this group, and challenges we face may only be understood by one another, we make it a point to rally around each other, because at the end of the day it’s about the greater good of the industry. 

KRATZ: My experience in both construction and Chicago is that women leaders find a huge benefit to networking together.

It creates support and development but also increases a sense of belonging. Most of us are active members in the Professional Women in Construction Chicago chapter, which holds many types of connecting events.

What’s your current outlook for construction in Chicago?

VAN ZEYL: While we have seen a decrease in commercial projects, the market remains strong for institutional, healthcare, sports, aviation, advanced technology and entertainment projects.

MATHENA: In Chicago, we have not been hit as hard with the trade labor shortage challenges many parts of the rest of the country have experienced.  However, our market needs to collectively work toward getting more women and people of color in the trades.  

VAN ANNE: The Chicago construction market is slowly rebounding, and we are optimistic for continued growth across multiple markets including healthcare, manufacturing and the tech industry. Women, among other diverse groups, are generally an untapped resource that can help support building a healthy pipeline of talent across all positions.

Construction has made strides to be more inclusive for women. But how is this tough job still even tougher for women?

KRATZ: Relationship succession I would say is still a tough job that is tougher for women in this industry. Women have to work exponentially harder at building up trust with senior leadership, which is still mostly men. Disrupting protégé norms and unconscious biases in this realm of career development in construction is still emerging.

POWERS BARIA: While we’ve seen a lot of improvement, women are still underrepresented in the industry, particularly in management positions. We often have to work twice as hard as our male counterparts to overcome stereotypes and preconceived notions about what a woman’s role should be. 

VAN ANNE: While women’s participation in construction has been steadily increasing over the past decade, it is moving at a glacial pace, leaving significant opportunity to improve. 

Unfortunately, challenges for women still exist within this male-dominated industry that can create an uncomfortable and hostile work environment. Also, opportunity is not equally accessible yet, and representation is limited. 

What advice do you have for other women who are in or want to enter the industry?

MATHENA: Get rid of self-limiting beliefs and know yourself very well. Capitalize on your strengths, but know your weaknesses and use them as a resource to learn. If you know yourself, work hard, learn the craft and have an insatiable curiosity, the sky’s the limit in our industry.   

VAN ZEYL:  As women, there is a tendency to give credit rather than accept credit for your successes. We need to move past that and take ownership of our successes.

POWERS BARIA: If you have a desire to enter the industry, there is absolutely a place for you here.

Seek out other women, and men, who are willing to be a mentor and build that relationship with them. Women in the company you are working at are often a valuable resource for how to navigate the challenges that might arise. 

KRATZ: My advice is to start building your internal and external networks early in your career; you don’t have to go it alone, there are so many people out there willing and excited to mentor. Seek those people out and dedicate time to leveraging those relationships, you will need those mentors and champions at every step of your career. 

VAN ANNE: We need you. Period.

Correction: In a previous version of this article, Karrie Kratz was misidentified. She is vice president, Chicago business leader at Gilbane. 

 

Dive Brief:

• The Federal Highway Administration announced $60 million in “quick release” emergency funds for the Maryland state DOT to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a Thursday release.
• The federal DOT described the immediately available funding as “a down payment toward initial funds,” adding that further emergency relief money will be made available as work continues. President Joe Biden on Tuesday pledged that the federal government would pay to rebuild the 1.6-mile-long span, which served as a major freight and commuting corridor.
• The FHWA money will help restore “essential transportation” in the area, through debris removal, demolition, detours and emergency repairs. The FHWA is also providing technical assistance and site assessments as it administers emergency contracts for a new bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is aiding with waterway debris management.

Dive Insight:

Located in the southeast portion of Baltimore’s I-695 Beltway, the Key Bridge collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday morning when the Dali, a 984-foot cargo ship, struck one of its piers. Six construction workers employed by Hunt Valley, Maryland-based Brawner Builders performing road maintenance on the bridge at the time of impact are believed to have died when they fell into the waters of the Patapsco River. 

The bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, were recovered from a pickup truck submerged in about 25 feet of water, WBAL reported. The other workers have yet to be located or identified by officials, but, per CBS News, they include Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval and Miguel Luna.

Initial cleanup of the bridge debris has begun, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said on Thursday. For now, workers will clear up debris from the collapse, then remove the ship before cleaning up the remaining debris, The New York Times reported. 

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would transport “the largest crane in the Eastern Seaboard” to help with the cleanup, the New York Times reported. 

Moore also didn’t sugarcoat the severity of the cleanup work ahead, saying, “Our timeline will be long.” 

Demolition work could clear a pathway for ships in as soon as a month, an anonymous expert told CNN, but the total debris removal for the 1,200-foot area between the two piers’ main span, will likely take much longer.

The collapse also shut down the Port of Baltimore indefinitely. The port is a vital end point for the shipping and automotive industry, due to its proximity to railroads and location far inland. 

While dockworkers and truckers continued to move existing cargo at the port’s Southeast Baltimore terminals following the crash, most of the work at the seaport has been curtailed for now. 

“If they don’t get the shipping channel open, everything comes to a halt,” said Scott Cowan, president and CEO of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 333, which represents Baltimore dockworkers.

Shafer is an accomplished business leader with deep global experience in manufacturing and leading highly innovative businesses. He joined 3M Company in 2010 and has held several positions with increasing levels of responsibility in multiple 3M business units in both the US and China. Most recently, he served as president of the Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division for 3M Company. Prior to 3M, Steve worked for McKinsey & Company and Ford Motor Company holding various roles focusing on manufacturing, supply chain and operational improvement.

“We are excited to welcome Steve to A. O. Smith, where his strategic business acumen and extensive experience in global operations will prove invaluable as we continue to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders,” said Wheeler.

“Joining A. O. Smith is a great opportunity and I am looking forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of this iconic company. Working closely with the senior leaders in the organization to continue to improve operating performance, while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, safety and quality will be priorities for me,” said Shafer.

Shafer earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University. He resides in Minneapolis, MN and will be relocating to the Milwaukee area.

Construction has a reputation of being a Luddite industry, but there are firms defying that image with groundbreaking technical innovations.

For some of them, their efforts have been recognized on a list of innovators by business publication Fast Company, which grouped winners by the category of their work. 

Here are the eight construction-adjacent companies who earned the recognition as one of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024.”

Interplay Learning
Applied AI

Contractors are aware of two constant truths in the industry — that workers are hard to come by, and that training the ones who make their way to the jobsite takes time.

Austin, Texas-based workforce education firm Interplay Learning hopes to help builders retain and train their workers on jobsite processes. It uses 3D and virtual reality training simulations to educate workers on the necessary knowledge they need in their respective trades via its product, SkillMill, according to its website.

What sets the firm apart, according to Fast Company, is an AI-based assistant that it calls SAM, which lets builders receive instant answers to questions they may have while using the product.

ZGF
Architecture

ZGF, an architecture firm based in Portland, Oregon, drew Fast Company’s eye with its approach to mass timber projects.

How? It built its own mass timber supply chain.

The architect received acclaim for its work on the Portland International Airport and its use of mass timber on the project. However, Fast Company noted that ZGF was also careful in its selection, and targeted suppliers who were within 300 miles, heavily favoring local and Indigenous operations.

Arcadis
Architecture

In the wake of disasters like the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse, infrastructure safety is top of mind for many AEC professionals. Fast Company recognized Amsterdam-based contractor Arcadis for its work in developing an AI-based safety app for bridges.

Arcadis partnered with infrastructure assessment firm Niricson to develop Bridge Health, an inspection service that uses AI, machine learning and robotics to check bridges for defects and other issues that could lead to failure and catastrophe.

The program, which uses drones, is capable of discerning data that is invisible to the human eye, Fast Company writes.

Transfr
Education

Virtual reality skills training platform Transfr earned recognition from Fast Company for its efforts to train healthcare professionals amid a shortage, but the program has broad applications for the construction industry as well.

The New York City-based business’s training offerings serve a wide range of professions — from government workers to healthcare professionals to skilled tradesworkers — and uses VR technology to train jobseekers in the ways of their new professions.

For builders, Transfr partners with employers and provides simulations that are in compliance with industry standards, according to the company’s website.

Holcim
Manufacturing

Cement manufacturing giant Holcim made its mark on Fast Company’s list for its efforts to create a more sustainable cement and concrete product for the construction industry.

Fast Company pointed to the Swiss firm’s continued efforts to lobby governments for green legislation, along with a one-of-its-kind plant that produces Europe’s first low-carbon calcined clay-based cement.

The industry stalwart also turned its research center in Lyon, France, into a startup incubator focused on businesses that are working to reduce emissions across the construction industry.

Nucor
Manufacturing

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Nucor earned recognition from Fast Company for its efforts to mitigate emissions at its plants and sites across the U.S.

In 2023, it made several moves aimed at reducing its carbon footprint. These include a switch to battery-powered electric trucks for deliveries, commissioning the first LEED v4 certified steel mill and deploying carbon capture and storage tech at a Louisiana plant.

Teleo
Robotics

Palo Alto, California-based robotics firm Teleo made waves on the Fast Company list for its technology that turns regular heavy machinery into autonomous robots.

Fast Company called out Teleo’s retrofit kit, which can be installed on existing machinery. The technology also allows one operator to run multiple devices simultaneously, with training taking anywhere from a just few hours to a just few days.

Dusty Robotics
Robotics

Dusty Robotics, a Mountain View, California-based construction robotics firm, earned its spot on Fast Company’s list of innovators for its FieldPrinter, a proprietary piece of tech that takes the arduous task of laying out a jobsite and gives it to a robot.

Its FieldPrinter automates the process of imposing digital floor plans onto physical construction sites by printing them on the floor through a combination of hardware, software and services. The process is faster than hand-made layouts, Fast Company writes.

Altogether, Dusty has printed over 70 million square feet of building layout on more than 1,000 projects, according to the company.

Editor’s Note: Construction Dive parent company Industry Dive was recognized as one of Fast Company’s winners in the Media category.

Contract: (n) a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties with mutual obligations.

Subcontractor: (n) an individual (or in many cases a business) that signs a contract to perform part or all of the obligations of an-others contract.

If your business is in any part of the mechanical trades, indeed any facet of the construction trades, you are more than passing familiar with contracts and subcontracts. Did you jump into the subcontracting business fully informed on the vagaries, the ins and outs of contracts and subcontracts? Most of you would have to answer no… some, hell no!

The fact of the matter is that just about every business in the world today operates on some level of contractual obligation. It is one of the crown jewels of the legal profession, and has been the cornerstone of commerce since before the Roman Empire. Contracts have been codified, argued over, parsed and generally minced into a fine powder through years and centuries of trial and contest. Simply put, the most important feature of a contract is that one party offers an arrangement that another accepts.

That seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? Well, nothing about contracts and subcontracts are straightforward. In point of fact, a simple handshake agreement can be considered a contract or a subcontract. Care to guess what would happen in court today if one party tried to enforce a “handshake” contract? It would be ugly… and probably a draw at best… “he said such and such” and “no, he said this and that.” What a nightmare!

In ancient times disputes might have been settled with weapons, contests of physical prowess, or perhaps the taking of personal property. Today the weapons are words wielded by attorneys or arbitrators and the taking personal property other than monetary remuneration is unlikely.

All of which is to say that contracts and subcontracts are powerful and important tools which are an integral part of our businesses. Earlier in this article I posed the hypothetical question, “Did you jump into business fully informed on the vagaries, ins and outs of contracts and subcontracts?” While there are exceptions to every rule, I’ll go out on a limb and say that the vast majority of subcontractors in the plumbing, pipefitting and HVAC industry were no more than slightly familiar with contracts and subcontracts when they got into business. Most, if not all, had no idea how truly Machiavellian those instruments really were.

What it Says, is What it Says…

Speaking of subcontracts; when you receive a subcontract for a job you bid on what do you do? Do you sign it and send it back to the general contractor after checking if the dollar amounts are correct? If you do, you are either living in a fool’s paradise, or are playing Russian roulette with your business.

Let us assume for the sake of argument that you are bidding on a small commercial strip shopping center (plumbing or HVAC, it really doesn’t matter). You are advised that you have been awarded the contract for that portion of the work and a subcontract agreement is sent your way. To be properly proactive about the business, this is how I would recommend you handle that document:

1- Read every line, of each and every page of the entire document. This includes any cover letter that accompanies the document.

2-Make photocopies of each and every page of the document and put them into your job folder or binder (to be replaced by the final, signed copy of the contract once that has been done).

3-Strike through and initial ANY clause, condition or statement with which you either do not agree or do not intend to comply. This includes what is commonly referred to as “boiler plate.”

4- Attach a copy of your original bid to the subcontract, return it to the contractor and respectfully request that it be included as part of that subcontract.

5- Wait for the screaming to subside.

No matter how much the contractor is going to twist and turn over your marking up his precious subcontract, (“you CAN’T touch the boilerplate” is a favorite whine I’ve heard many times… yes, you can!) the fact is, you will be responsible for doing EVERYTHING, I repeat, EVERYTHING in the document that you sign your name to. Do not be threatened or coaxed into accepting clauses with which you do not agree, under any circumstance. You will do so at your business’s peril.

The Devil is In the Details

What are some of the things you might have to do, over and above the work you have contracted for? Well, you might be required to provide a portion of the “hold harmless” insurance for the general contractor, making you responsible for work that you have no part in. You might be agreeing to a ridiculously unrealistic time schedule for your work. You might even be held liable for work not installed by you but which your work attaches to. Further, you might be agreeing to a “paid when paid” clause or a “paid IF paid” clause, by which you will receive your money WHEN, and IF, the general is ever paid by the owner. Caveat: These clauses have been held illegal and unenforceable in many places, but there are still some jurisdictions where they are enforceable.

These are just a few of the little gems to be found in subcontract agreements today. They are placed in there to trap the unwary subcontractor into doing work that he has not agreed to or providing things that he should not have to, all to the benefit of the contractor or owner. If you want to stay in business today, you are going to have to be as dedicated to making the contract a livable document for your company as you are about the work you do and your reputation.

The Brooklyn, NY-born author is a retired third generation master plumber. He founded Sunflower Plumbing & Heating in Shirley, NY, in 1975 and A Professional Commercial Plumbing Inc. in Phoenix in 1980. He holds residential, commercial, industrial and solar plumbing licenses and is certified in welding, clean rooms, polypropylene gas fusion and medical gas piping. He can be reached at [email protected].