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Construction Industry (construction + industry)
Kinds of Construction Industry Selected AbstractsHealth Care and Pension Benefits for Construction Workers: TheRole of Prevailing Wage Laws Health Care and Pension Benefits for Construction WorkersINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, Issue 2 2000Jeffrey S. Petersen This article examines the affect of state prevailing wage laws (PWLs) on the amount and mix of wages and benefits paid to construction workers. PWLs require contractors who win bids on state-financed construction projects to pay compensation rates equivalent to those prevailing in local construction markets. During 1982-1992, 6 states repealed their PWLs, 9 states who never had a PWL did not enact one, and 32 states kept their PWLs. Data from the Form 5500 series, the Census of Construction Industries, the Current Employment Statistics, and the Current Population Survey are combined to evaluate the effects of PWL repeals on compensation. When comparing the experiences of different states, PWLs enhance both wages and benefits, with the largest percentage increase going toward employer pension contributions. PWLs appear to create an incentive for both employers to pay and workers to accept a larger percentage of their total compensation in the form of benefits. [source] Survival and Decline of the Apprenticeship System in the Australian and UK Construction IndustriesBRITISH JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, Issue 3 2008Phillip Toner The preservation of the apprenticeship system in the Australian construction industry contrasts with its decline in Britain over the last three decades. This decline is conventionally ascribed to changes in industrial structure, specifically a decline in the role of the public sector, intensification of subcontracting and growth of self-employment. Given that the Australian construction industry has undergone similar structural changes to those in the United Kingdom, this difference in outcome requires explanation. This article suggests that the contrasting outcomes are the result of institutional differences in the organization of the training system, employers and labour between the two countries. These institutional differences are, however, diminishing as arrangements for training and industrial relations in Australia are increasingly fashioned in the likeness of the United Kingdom. [source] Assessing OSHA Performance: New Evidence from the Construction IndustryJOURNAL OF POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2001David Weil The determinants of OSHA performance can be examined by breaking the regulatory process into three elements relating to enforcement, compliance behavior, and the adequacy of standards in addressing safety outcomes. This paper develops and applies this framework to the U.S. construction industry during the period 1987 to 1993. Enforcement activity among the firms in the sample was substantial, with firms facing a high probability of annual inspection. But, despite this significant enforcement effort, inspections have a modest effect on firm compliance with OSHA standards. Finally, the health and safety standards cited most frequently diverge from the major sources of fatalities and injuries on construction projects. These results suggest that historic enforcement policies toward construction make less sense as OSHA moves into its fourth decade of operation. More generally, the paper illustrates the problem of focusing enforcement resources on large, high‐profile companies even though they often are not the major source of regulatory problems in an established area of public policy intervention. © 2001 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. [source] The Economic Impact of Sports Stadium Construction: The Case of the Construction Industry in St. Louis, MOJOURNAL OF URBAN AFFAIRS, Issue 2 2002Phillip A. Miller This article examines the St. Louis construction industry's employment with special attention given to the periods during which the Kiel Center and the Trans World Dome were being built. We analyze whether the construction of a major sports stadium increases construction industry employment. An econometric model is developed to explain the times series trend of construction industry employment in the St. Louis SMSA. The statistical evidence suggests that the levels of employment in the construction industry were neither higher nor lower during the construction of these stadia. It is argued that construction on these projects merely substituted for other construction projects in this SMSA. [source] Tentative business confidence indicators for the Italian economyJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 8 2003Paolo Carnazza Abstract This paper concerns the cyclical evolution of the Italian economy and, in particular, the role of confidence indicators. In the first part of the paper various confidence indicators, computed according to the European Commission (EC) methodology, are investigated. In particular, the analysis concentrates on the dynamics of some business climate indicators referred to the supply side of the economy (i.e. manufacturing, retail and construction industries). In the second part of the analysis, new confidence indicators exploring the wide informative set characterizing the ISAE business surveys are computed. The ability of these indicators in predicting the short-term evolution of GDP, here considered as a reference series, is compared with that of the previous EC confidence indicators. Finally, in the third part, some estimates of the relationship between the chosen business confidence indicator and some driving variables are presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ,Allowed into a Man's World' Meanings of Work,Life Balance: Perspectives of Women Civil Engineers as ,Minority' Workers in ConstructionGENDER, WORK & ORGANISATION, Issue 1 2009Jacqueline H. Watts This article discusses how women working as civil engineers within the UK construction industry perceive work,life balance and considers strategies they use to achieve this. The findings are presented of a qualitative research project that explored the experiences of women in this role, focusing on the subcultural context of a profession that is dominated by the values of presenteeism and infinite availability. A feminist post-structuralist framework is used to analyse how women negotiate their personal and professional time and the extent to which their other roles as carers and nurturers unsettle male work practices in this highly gendered profession. There are gradually increasing numbers of women in professional construction roles and their success appears to depend on being able to fit in to the dominant masculine culture of long working hours and the male pub gathering. Despite an increased presence, women's minority status in construction continues to challenge their professional identity and this is central to the conflict many face between the dual roles of corporate worker and private non-work person. [source] Semmering and Koralm tunnelsGEOMECHANICS AND TUNNELLING, Issue 2 2010Article first published online: 12 APR 2010 SIKA has been manufacturing rotor machines for spraying concrete for over half a century. In the first years, Aliva produced both, screw pumps and rotor machines, until the rotor machine finally replaced the screw pumps in the 1960s. Since then, Aliva rotor machines have been continuously improved and further developed. In 2010, the 100 year anniversary of SIKA AG, Aliva is presenting the newest generation of rotor machines , the AL , 267. In addition to supplying the construction industry, Aliva is also one of the leading suppliers of machines for pea gravel backfilling on TBMs and of converter spraying equipment for the steel industry (see report on p. 225). Seit über einem halben Jahrhundert befasst sich SIKA mit der Herstellung von Rotormaschinen für Spritzbeton. In den Anfangsjahren von Aliva wurden noch Schneckenpumpen und Rotormaschinen hergestellt, bis dann in den 1960er-Jahren die Rotormaschine die Schneckenpumpe endgültig ablöste. Seither wurden kontinuierlich Verbesserungen und Weiterentwicklungen an Aliva Rotormaschinen vorgenommen. In 2010, zum hundertjährigen Jubiläum der SIKA AG, kann Aliva die neuste Generation der Rotormaschinen , die AL 267 , vorstellen. Neben dem Unternehmensbereich der Bauindustrie ist Aliva auch einer der führenden Hersteller für Kieshinterfüllmaschinen auf TBM und von Konverterspritzanlagen für die Stahlindustrie (siehe Bericht auf S. 225). [source] What makes a good project manager?HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005Mei-I Cheng There is a growing awareness within project-based sectors of the relationship between performance and managers' competencies. This article reports on research that investigated the competency profile of ,superior' project managers working within the construction industry, one of the most complex and dynamic project-based industrial sectors. The study combined an assessment of both their behavioural competencies and job-task competencies. The results reveal that while their job-task competencies are highly specific to the industry in which they work, the behavioural competencies of superior project managers are mostly generic in nature and apply to a range of other management positions. This research shows how it is practically possible to identify the competency profile of superior managers and utilise this framework for managing the performance of this key management group. [source] Unlocking the potential to influence government skills policy: a case study of the UK construction industryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2008Arthur Morgan Despite a series of national policy initiatives aimed at addressing skills shortages in a number of sectors, little evidence of longer-term change is apparent. This paper examines concerns expressed by small businesses that their local views are not sought or considered when national training policies and initiatives are either being developed or being implemented, and that the investment in skills development does not appear to adequately represent their skills needs. The research was carried out on the UK construction industry, which is characterized by a small number of large contractors who employ mainly managerial and professional staff, and a large number of small, micro- and self-employed firms that provide, on a subcontract basis, the majority of the industry's demand for a skilled manual workforce. The identification and delivery of vocational education and training at an industry level rests firmly on addressing the skills needs of the small and micro-type organizations and not those of the large construction firms, although it is the voice of the larger firms that appears to dominate the skills and training development agenda. The public policy model that articulates the requirements for training and skills development in the UK is based on sector-specific skills councils. This model is examined in relation to the construction sector by drawing upon the experiences of the South Wales region as a case study. Findings indicate that the current construction skills framework, upon which public policy is formulated and delivered, fails to adequately reflect the structure, skills and training priorities of the industry. The tensions that exist in this system are highlighted and the implications for reform of public policy articulation with regard to sector skills councils are discussed. [source] An exploration of the relationship between training grants and profitability of UK construction companiesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2008Mohamed Abdel-Wahab A levy/grant system exists in the UK construction industry to provide financial support for companies undertaking training activities. With the current UK government skills policy, there is an emphasis on ensuring that training support provided to employers is aimed at enhancing companies' profitability. This paper explores the profitability of construction companies in relation to training grants. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyze a uniquely combined dataset over the period 2002,2005. The research revealed that there is not a simple linear relationship between training grants and profitability. However, large and more profitable companies claimed more training grants in relation to the following areas of training: management, qualifying their existing workforce (certifying the skills of their existing workforce) and developing training plans. The authors argue that training grants should be targeted and focused towards specific areas of training if profitability gains are to be achievable. Future research should consider training grant utilization within the context of construction companies in order to ascertain the real contribution of training grants to their profitability. [source] Reflexive Evaluation of an Academic,Industry Research Collaboration: Can Mode 2 Management Research be Achieved?JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 5 2009Nathalie Mitev abstract We present a reflexive retrospective account of a UK government research council funded project deploying knowledge management software to support environmental sustainability in the construction industry. This project was set up in a form typical of a Mode 2 research programme involving several academic institutions and industrial partners, and aspiring to fulfil the Mode 2 criteria seen as transdisciplinarity and business relevance. The multidisciplinary nature is analysed through retrospectively reflecting upon the research process and activities we carried out, and is found to be problematic. No real consensus was reached between the partners on the ,context of application'. Difficulties between industry and academia, within industry and within academia led to diverging agendas and different alignments for participants. The context of application does not (pre-)exist independently of institutional influences, and in itself cannot drive transdisciplinarity since it is subject to competing claims and negotiations. There were unresolved tensions in terms of private vs. public construction companies and their expectations of ICT-based knowledge management, and in terms of the sustainable construction agenda. This post hoc reflexive account, enables us to critique our own roles in having developed a managerial technology for technically sophisticated and powerful private industrial actors to the detriment of public sector construction partners, having bypassed sustainability issues, and not reached transdisciplinarity. We argue that this is due to institutional pressures and instrumentalization from academia, industry and government and a restricted notion of business relevance. There exists a politically motivated tendency to oppose Mode 1 academic research to practitioner-oriented Mode 2 approaches to management research. We argue that valuing the links between co-existing Mode 1 and 2 research activities would support a more genuine and fuller exploration of the context of application. [source] An Action Pattern Model of Inter-firm Cooperation*JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 6 2005Steven S. Lui abstract An action pattern model was developed and applied to the examination of inter-firm cooperative processes. The model considered cooperation as a continuous cycle of actions and reactions between cooperating partners. The building blocks of the model include cooperative equilibrium, disruptive events, action types and action patterns. Three action pattern variables were proposed to describe the interactions. It was hypothesized that action patterns are contingent on partner relationships and the transaction cost characteristics of a partnership. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 263 partnerships in the construction industry in Hong Kong. The quantitative study was supplemented by four in-depth case studies. The results show that: (1) trust was an important antecedent of action patterns; and (2) transaction cost variables moderate the relationships between partner relationships and action patterns. These findings suggest that future research should give more attention to the interaction of partners during cooperation. [source] Assessing OSHA Performance: New Evidence from the Construction IndustryJOURNAL OF POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2001David Weil The determinants of OSHA performance can be examined by breaking the regulatory process into three elements relating to enforcement, compliance behavior, and the adequacy of standards in addressing safety outcomes. This paper develops and applies this framework to the U.S. construction industry during the period 1987 to 1993. Enforcement activity among the firms in the sample was substantial, with firms facing a high probability of annual inspection. But, despite this significant enforcement effort, inspections have a modest effect on firm compliance with OSHA standards. Finally, the health and safety standards cited most frequently diverge from the major sources of fatalities and injuries on construction projects. These results suggest that historic enforcement policies toward construction make less sense as OSHA moves into its fourth decade of operation. More generally, the paper illustrates the problem of focusing enforcement resources on large, high‐profile companies even though they often are not the major source of regulatory problems in an established area of public policy intervention. © 2001 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. [source] The Economic Impact of Sports Stadium Construction: The Case of the Construction Industry in St. Louis, MOJOURNAL OF URBAN AFFAIRS, Issue 2 2002Phillip A. Miller This article examines the St. Louis construction industry's employment with special attention given to the periods during which the Kiel Center and the Trans World Dome were being built. We analyze whether the construction of a major sports stadium increases construction industry employment. An econometric model is developed to explain the times series trend of construction industry employment in the St. Louis SMSA. The statistical evidence suggests that the levels of employment in the construction industry were neither higher nor lower during the construction of these stadia. It is argued that construction on these projects merely substituted for other construction projects in this SMSA. [source] Case study of the application of BPR in an SME contractorKNOWLEDGE AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT: THE JOURNAL OF CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION, Issue 1 2001M. J. Riley The UK government strongly encouraged the construction industry to improve its efficiency during the 1990s. P Trant Limited, a medium-sized civil engineering contractor located in the south of England took on board this challenge and carried out a Business Process Re-engineering programme. This paper describes the process modelling tools used, the re-engineered processes and the efficiency gains produced. It is shown that mature medium-sized contracting companies can benefit from undertaking such a change programme and that the benefits are not restricted to large companies or groups. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma in pediatric patientsPEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 1 2009Leigh-Anne Cioffredi BA Abstract Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and often aggressive malignancy, mostly affecting asbestos exposed adults. We present four pediatric peritoneal cases treated with a cisplatin-based doublet regimen, the standard of care in the systemic therapy of adult mesothelioma. Treatment was well tolerated, and three of these patients have achieved long-term survival. The fathers of three of the patients worked in the construction industry and may have been the source of indirect asbestos exposure. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:127,129. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Work-related injuries among Hispanic construction workers,Evidence from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Xiuwen Sue Dong DrPH Abstract Background Although a large number of Hispanic workers have entered the construction industry, few studies have estimated non-fatal work-related injuries for Hispanic construction workers at a national level. This study examines work-related injury conditions among Hispanic construction workers and assesses disparities between Hispanic and white, non-Hispanic workers. Methods Pooled data were analyzed from a large national population survey, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), between 1996 and 2002. More than 7,000 construction workers were identified from the MEPS data including 1,833 Hispanic workers and 4,533 white, non-Hispanic workers. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using SAS-callable SUDAAN. Results Hispanic workers differ from white, non-Hispanic workers in demographic and socioeconomic status. After controlling for major risk factors, Hispanic construction workers were more likely than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts to suffer non-fatal work-related injury conditions (OR,=,1.28, 95% CI: 1.00,1.64). Conclusions This study provides important evidence concerning Hispanic workers' safety on construction sites. Enhanced safety and health programs for Hispanic construction workers and improved occupational injury data systems are recommended. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53: 561,569, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Nonfatal tool- or equipment-related injuries treated in US emergency departments among workers in the construction industry, 1998,2005AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Hester J. Lipscomb PhD Abstract Background Individuals in the construction industry are exposed to a variety of tools and pieces of equipment as they work. Methods Data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-Work) were used to characterize tool- and equipment,related injuries among workers in the construction industry that were treated in US emergency departments between 1998 and 2005. Based on a national stratified probability sample of US hospitals with 24,hr emergency services, NEISS-Work allows calculation of national injury estimates. Results Over the 8-year period between 1998 and 2005, we estimated 786,900 (95% CI 546,600,1,027,200) ED-treated tool- or equipment-related injuries identified by the primary or secondary source of injury code. These injuries accounted for a quarter of all ED-treated construction industry injuries. Although over 100 different tools or pieces of equipment were responsible for these injuries, seven were responsible for over 65% of the injury burden: ladders, nail guns, power saws, hammers, knives, power drills, and welding tools in decreasing order. Conclusions Current injury estimates and their severity, marked by the proportion of cases that were not released after ED treatment, indicate interventions are particularly needed to prevent injuries associated with use of ladders as well as nail guns and power saws. Attention should focus on design and guarding to more efficiently prevent these injuries rather than simply calling for the training of workers in how to safely use a dangerous tool or piece of equipment. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53: 581,587, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Nonfatal unintentional injuries and related factors among male construction workers in central ChinaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Lei Zheng Abstract Background Work-related injuries (WRIs) among construction workers have recently emerged as an important public health issue as the construction industry is booming in China. We investigated nonfatal unintentional work-related injuries and risk factors among male construction workers in central China. Methods A purposive sampling method was used in 2008 to select 1,260 male workers from 24 construction sites. WRIs that occurred in the past 12 months and possible risk factors were asked about in face-to-face interviews. Results Among 1,260 male construction workers, 189 workers reported WRIs. The annual prevalence of nonfatal WRIs was 15.0 per 100 workers (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.0,17.0). The top three leading causes of injuries were collisions (27.3 per 100 workers), cuts/piercings (17.5 per 100 workers), and falls (15.5 per 100 workers). WRIs were significantly associated with high cigarette pack-year index (PYI,,,20 vs. nonsmoker: adjusted odds ratio (OR),=,2.50, 95% CI: 1.31,4.76), serious alcohol consumption (,30ml/day vs. nondrinker: adjusted OR,=,1.73, 95 %CI: 1.12,2.69), not having injury prevention and safety education (adjusted OR,=,2.05, 95% CI: 1.22,3.44), and had depressive symptoms (adjusted OR,=,2.63, 95% CI: 1.22,5.67). Conclusions Our results suggest that annual prevalence of nonfatal construction injuries is high in central China and serious cigarette smoking, serious alcohol consumption, not having injury prevention and safety education, and depressive symptoms are considered important factors for those injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53: 588,595, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Safety walkarounds predict injury risk and reduce injury rates in the construction industryAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010K.L. Mikkelsen MD Abstract Background "Safe Workplace",a simplified and educational version of the Finnish building construction methodology involving safety walkarounds where a number of safety indicators are inspected and evaluated,is in widespread use in the Danish construction sector to evaluate physical safety standards proactively at construction work sites. Methods Data from the construction of the Copenhagen Metro were analyzed to determine the method's ability to predict injury risk related to joint responsibilities and individual worker responsibilities. Results A statistically significant association between the risk level as measured by the Safe Workplace methodology and injury risk was found. The relative risk of injury increased with the number of safety indicators violated and was elevated for safety indicators reflecting both individual and joint safety responsibility. The observed injury risk was not elevated in the post-safety walkaround period for safety indicators of individual responsibility, but the joint responsibility indicators retained an elevated injury risk level. Conclusions The data support the hypothesis that safety walkarounds both predict and prevent injuries. Safety indicators of individual responsibility are more likely to be corrected than those of joint responsibility. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53: 601,607, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Monitoring working conditions and health of older workers in Dutch construction industryAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Peter Hoonakker PhD Abstract Background Accurate reporting of work-related conditions is necessary to monitor workplace health and safety and to identify the interventions that are most needed. In the Netherlands, working conditions and health are monitored on an aggregated level in the construction industry. One of the purposes of monitoring is to identify specific risk factors and risk groups. The objectives of this study was to examine (1) whether older workers (,55 years) in the construction industry are a special group at risk and (2) whether there are specific risk factors for older workers in the construction industry. Methods Every 2 years, more than 70,000 construction workers in the Netherlands fill out a questionnaire as part of their periodic health checkup. In a repeated cross-sectional (trend) design, we compared working conditions (physical and psychological demands), musculoskeletal disorders (symptoms and conditions), and injuries of older workers with other age categories. Results Older construction workers have fewer complaints about physically demanding work and psychosocial workload, but have more complaints about working in awkward postures. Older workers have more complaints about their health than workers in other age categories. Older construction workers have fewer injuries than younger workers. Conclusions Older construction workers are a risk group for musculoskeletal disorders. Working in awkward postures can be considered a risk factor for older workers in construction industry. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53: 641,653, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effectiveness of the training program for workers at construction sites of the high-speed railway line between Torino and Novara: Impact on injury ratesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 12 2009A. Bena MD Abstract Background There are very few published studies evaluating the impact of safety and health training on injury outcomes in the construction industry. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the training program on injury rates at a major railway construction project. Methods The population consisted of 2,795 workers involved in a safety training program at the construction sites of the high-speed railway line Torino,Novara. Two types of analyses were carried out in order to assess the effectiveness of the training program in reducing the number of injuries: (i) a pre,post analysis, which took into account the fact that workers were enrolled at different times and the training intervention did not occur at the same time for all subjects; (ii) an interrupted time-series model, which corrected for the time trend and considered the autocorrelation between individual observations. Results Twenty-nine percent of workers who spent at least 1 day at the construction sites attended at least one training module. Pre,post analysis: At the end of the training program, the incidence of occupational injuries had fallen by 16% after the basic training module and by 25% following the specific modules. Time-series model: Training led to a 6% reduction in injury rates, which was not statistically significant. Conclusions The training program that was implemented had a moderately positive impact on the health of workers. Further studies are being conducted to obtain a more complete assessment of the actual effectiveness of the program in reducing the incidence of injuries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:965,972, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Fall hazard control observed on residential construction sitesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2009OT/L, Vicki Kaskutas OTD Abstract Background Falls are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the construction industry. This study measured fall hazards at residential construction sites. Methods Trained carpenters administered the St. Louis Audit of Fall Risks and interviewed carpenters. The prevalence of fall prevention practices meeting safety criteria was counted and correlations explored. Results We identified a high prevalence of fall hazards at the 197 residential sites audited. Roof sheathing met safety criteria most consistently (81%) and truss setting least consistently (28%). Use of personal fall arrest and monitoring of unguarded floor openings were rare. Safer performance on several scales was correlated. Construction sites of large-sized contractors were generally safer than smaller contractors. Apprentice carpenters were less familiar with their employers' fall prevention plan than experienced workers. Conclusions Safety could be improved with consistent use of recognized fall prevention practices at residential construction sites. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:491,499, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Carpal tunnel syndrome among apprentice construction workers,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002John C. Rosecrance PT Abstract Background In terms of lost-work time and restricted workdays, surgery, and rehabilitation, one of the most costly occupational musculoskeletal disorders is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CTS among apprentice construction workers. Methods This cross-sectional study included apprentices from four construction trades. Apprentices completed a self-administered questionnaire and received electrophysiologic studies assessing median nerve function across the carpal tunnel. A surveillance case definition for CTS was based on characteristic hand symptoms and the presence of median mononeuropathy across the carpal tunnel. Results Of the 1,325 eligible apprentices, 1,142 (86.2%) participated in the study. The prevalence of CTS among apprentices was 8.2%; sheet metal workers had the highest rate (9.2%). In operating engineers, the prevalence of CTS was significantly higher (OR,=,6.9; 95% CI,=,2.6,18.2) among the heavy equipment mechanics than the drivers of those vehicles. Body mass index, age, and self-reports of working overhead were associated with prevalent CTS. Less than 15% of the apprentices with CTS sought medical attention for their disorder. Conclusions Many construction workers begin developing CTS before or during their apprenticeship. Few apprentices seek medical attention for hand symptoms characteristic of CTS. The results of this study indicate a public health need for the implementation of prevention strategies for CTS in the construction industry. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:107,116, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prevalence of cigarette smoking by occupation and industry in the United States,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2001Ki Moon Bang PhD Abstract Background This study was undertaken to estimate the most recent prevalence of cigarette smoking by occupation and industry in the US, using the data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988,1994. Methods Included in NHANES III are data on the cigarette smoking status, occupation, industry, and other demographic information of US non-institutionalized civilians obtained through household interview surveys. The study population included 20,032 adults aged 17 years and older. To estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking across occupation and industry groups, we used the Survey Data Analysis (SUDAAN) software. Results The prevalence of cigarette smoking was highest among material moving occupations, construction laborers, and vehicle mechanics and repairers. The lowest smoking prevalence was found among teachers. Among industry groups, the construction industry had the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking. Conclusions These findings provide information useful for targeting education activities focusing on adverse health effects of cigarette smoking and also for indirect adjustments in analysis of morbidity and mortality by occupation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:233,239, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The development of co,innovation strategies: stages and interaction patterns in interfirm innovationR & D MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2002Bart A.G Bossink Organizations that choose or are forced to innovate in co,operation with other organizations, go through four stages of co,innovation strategy development. The stages are successively: (I) autonomous strategy making: organizations develop strategies on their own, (II) co,operative strategy making: organizations concentrate on developing innovation strategies in close co,operation with other organizations, (III) founding an organization for co,innovation: organizations found a joint organization in which they develop co,innovation programs, and (IV) realization of innovations: organizations develop innovations, based on the co,innovation strategies and programs. The description of the stages is based on an interfirm network approach and a research project in the Dutch construction industry. The stage model can be a guideline for organizations that participate in co,innovation processes and have to decide how and with whom they co,innovate. [source] The Return of the Future: A Second Go at Robotic ConstructionARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 4 2010Martin Bechthold Abstract The last few years have witnessed a robotic revival with a reinvigoration of interest in what the robot can offer the construction industry. Martin Bechthold looks back at the first robotic boom during the 1980s and 1990s when millions of Japanese yen were invested in developing robots that could address the shortage of construction labour. Bechthold further explores the similarities and dissimilarities of the current and previous periods of activity, as supported by his research at Harvard's Graduate School of Design (GSD). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Designing for Disassembly (DfD)ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 6 2009Elma Durmisevic Abstract The redundancy of existing buildings that leads to demolition and the unnecessary disposal of structures and their parts is one of the most challenging aspects of the current construction industry. This large-scale problem of obsolescence leads to the squandering of existing materials and resources on a massive scale. Here Elma Durmisevic and Ken Yeang advocate a means by which disassembly can be designed into buildings from the outset. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Virtuelles Bauen und partnerschaftliche Geschäftsmodelle , eine innovative VerbindungBAUTECHNIK, Issue 7 2006Mike Gralla Univ.-Prof. Durch eine frühe Zusammenarbeit von Bauherrn, Planern und Bauunternehmen können mit partnerschaftlichen Geschäftsmodellen wesentliche Nachteile von herkömmlichen Geschäftsbeziehungen im Bauwesen aufgelöst werden. Die enge Zusammenarbeit in einer frühen Phase eines Bauvorhabens ermöglicht eine fachübergreifende Optimierung hinsichtlich Planung, Bauausführung und Nutzung einer Immobilie. Hierbei sind die Methoden des virtuellen Bauens zweckmäßige Hilfsmittel, um die Koordination des Projekts und die Kommunikation zwischen den an einem Bauvorhaben beteiligten Partnern zu verbessern. Deshalb hat sich insbesondere bei partnerschaftlichen Geschäftsmodellen, die eine Preconstruction-Phase enthalten, die Verwendung von virtuellem Bauen als besonders wirksam erwiesen. Virtuelles Bauen unterstützt die Optimierung eines Bauwerks und hilft bei der anschaulichen Kommunikation von Optimierungsergebnissen durch die Visualisierung mit interaktiven Computermodellen. Virtual Design and Construction (ViCon) führt das virtuelle Bauen in die tägliche Planungs- und Baupraxis ein und ist eine Schlüsseltechnologie des Bauwesens. ViCon wird in der Praxis bei zahlreichen Projekten eingesetzt, die mit dem partnerschaftlichen Geschäftsmodell PreFair durchgeführt werden. In diesem Beitrag werden die Einsatzmöglichkeiten von ViCon an ausgewählten Beispielen dargestellt. Virtual construction and partnership-based business models , an innovative combination. When clients, design engineers and construction companies work together within the framework of partnership-based business models from an early stage, major disadvantages of traditional business relationships in the construction sector can be eliminated. Close cooperation in an early phase of a construction project makes for interdisciplinary optimization with regard to a property's design, construction and utilization. In this context, the methods of virtual construction are useful tools to improve communication between the parties involved in a construction project. Using virtual construction has therefore proved to be particularly effective when working with partnership-based business models that comprise a preconstruction phase. Virtual construction helps to optimize building structures and assists in graphically communicating optimization results by way of visualization with interactive computer models. Virtual Design and Construction (ViCon) introduces virtual construction in the daily design and construction work and is a key technology in the construction industry. In practice, ViCon is employed in numerous projects that are implemented based on the PreFair business model. Using selected examples, this article shows the range of ViCon's possible application. [source] Erprobt, bewährt und demontiert , Vom Verschwinden gewohnter StrukturenBAUTECHNIK, Issue 4 2006Beratender Ingenieur VBI, Prüfingenieur für Baustatik VPI, Sachverständiger nach WHG-VAwS Josef Steiner Dipl.-Ing. In der Bundesrepublik wurde in den zurückliegenden Jahren viel von dem, was über lange Zeit bewährt war, verändert, meistens ohne Not. Vorgeschoben hat man Zwänge von außen, oft wurden Empfehlungen, dem Hang zum vorauseilenden Gehorsam folgend, übererfüllt. Dies gilt insbesondere für das Abfassen neuer Gesetze. Leider zeigt sich als Ergebnis dieser Veränderungen ein Trend zum Mittelmaß auf vielen Gebieten; die mit dem Bauen befaßten Planer und die gesamte Baubranche bekommen die Folgen, z. B. durch praxisferne und unpraktikable Normen, zu spüren. Andererseits übt sich der Gesetzgeber in Deregulierungsmaßnahmen an der falschen Stelle und fördert z. B. durch den zunehmenden Verzicht auf die notwendigen präventiven Kontrollen ein Absinken des Sicherheitsniveaus unserer Bauten. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Tested , accepted , destroyed: About disappearing of used principles. In Germany in the past years much of what was proven over long time, changed, mostly without necessity , allegedly because of outside obligations, often recommendations became "over-fulfilled". This applies in particular to the draft of new laws. Unfortunately a trend shows up to mediocre results of these changes in many areas; the planners concerned with building and the entire construction industry get the consequences, e.g. by standards, lacking in practical relevance. On the other hand the legislator practices in deregulation measures in the wrong position and promotes e.g. by the increasing renouncement of necessary preventive controls a dropping of the safety level of our buildings. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||