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Quick take
 Torch casts light on infrastructure
It is an inspiring moment for all who see it pass by… the Olympic flame, lit in Olympia in Greece and carried across Canada by relays to the Olympic cauldron in Vancouver in celebration of the tradition of the Games.
With such a long journey, a few misadventures are to be expected, and one of them was an example of Canada’s aging infrastructure.
In Calgary, the torch relay had been routed down 1st St. N.E. a beautiful, scenic route – but one that has been closed for weeks due to a sinkhole and construction. The organizers quickly selected a detour.
It was all handled quickly and professionally, but it is still ironic that infrastructure problems can reach out to tap Canadians on the shoulder, even during our moments of triumph.
Jim Barnes
Editor
On-Site
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Last poll: Workplace violence
The Ontario government recently introduced new regulations regarding corporate responsibility for preventing workplace violence. Other provinces already have similar legislation. Is this really a problem? We asked our readers about their experience with workplace violence in the past year. Their response? It's rare, but it happens.
"Workplace violence can be defined as the threat to use, attempt to use or actual use of physical force that did or could have caused injury to an attacked worker. In the past year, has workplace violence occurred in your workplace or on a jobsite you were responsible for?"
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53% |
No: Not one incident of workplace violence occurred on any of our jobs in the past year. |
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It's rare: There were one or two incidents that we are aware of. |
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18% |
Sometimes: There were a few incidents that we know of. |
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Instant poll
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Classified ad:
BOUCHIER CONTRACTING LTD
LEAD OPERATIONS FOR A GROWING ENTERPRISE
Chief Operating Officer
Not only is Bouchier Contracting Ltd. building roads and infrastructure for the energy sector it is also giving back to the Northern communities where it lives, conducts business and sources its workers. This is a company that has multiple bottom lines. To deliver safe, responsive, cost effective construction project management to its customers. To respect the delicate ecosystem of the north. And to play an active role in the development of
Canada's aboriginal communities.
Based in Fort McKay, Alberta, Bouchier
Contracting is a true success story that¹s built on sound, visionary management and a commitment to customer service. And to make this story even more compelling, Bouchier is owned by a dynamic husband and wife team who have leveraged their energy, complementary skills and business acumen into a company with a robust balance sheet and enormous growth path.
In the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, you will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer as you manage the day-to-day operations of Bouchier Contracting Ltd. You will support and further enhance the growth of the business, leveraging the owners' time as they continue to add major clients and strengthen the company';s bonds with the community. Create a centralized maintenance program for an extensive and relatively new fleet of construction vehicles and equipment. Continue to evolve and expand Bouchier';s primary quality assurance and safety commitments. Foster open dialogue with the company's more than 275 employees as ambassadors for Bouchier Contracting. Oversee project budgets and milestones. Add your own brand of enthusiasm to a corporate culture that's quickly becoming the envy of the north. Likely a Civil Engineer with project management and site superintendent experience on major jobs, you are ready to join a team with spirit and a sense of mission. Be an integral part of a growing, thriving, socially conscious enterprise.
To explore these opportunities further, please forward your resume to: calgary@odgersberndtson.ca, or phone 403-410-6700, or submit your resume and related information online at www.odgersberndtson.ca/en/careers/8939.
Quick stat:
Building permits slide in November
Building permits slid 4.6 per cent in November from the previous month, despite strength in residential and commercial construction intentions, according to a report from Statistics Canada. Even so, the $5.9 billion in permits still represented growth of 62.8 per cent over February 2009, the low point of the current cycle. The total value of permits declined in half of the 34 census metropolitan areas studied compared to the previous month.
The residential sector continued to grow, with permit values increasing 9.1 per cent to $3.8 billion.
Multiple-family permits registered 23.3 per cent monthly growth to $1.3 billion. Seven provinces experienced growth.
Single-family permits grew for the ninth month in a row to reach $2.5 billion for a 2.9 per cent increase.
Non-residential permit totals for the month were less healthy, declining 21.9 per cent.
Commercial permits were the exception, increasing 3.9 per cent to $1.2 billion, primarily due to recreational buildings and office buildings in Alberta and B.C.
Industrial permits dropped 57.6 per cent to $296 million, with seven provinces recording declines.
Institutional permits also dropped. The 26.4 per cent decline took the total to $675 million, after a 53.1 per cent gain in October.
The data is seasonally adjusted and covers 2,400 municipalities representing 95 per cent of the population. The research does not include the value of engineering projects such as waterworks, sewers or culverts.
www.statcan.gc.ca
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New in the Forum
On-Site's Forum is a collection of industry articles and white papers that our editors deem to have value for the Canadian construction community at large. Here are the most recent additions:
Finding buried treasure with diamond grinding by John H. Roberts, IGGA. Diamond-grinding the concrete surface may meet or exceed the smoothness, friction and noise characteristics of asphalt overlays in pavement-rehabilitation projects, says this article from the International Grooving & Grinding Association. A case history is included. [2009-12-17]
Customizing a road-portable concrete-recycling system Customizing a concrete-recycling system could cost less than you think and be more profitable over the years than a standard plant, according to this article from Grasan. [2009-10-30]
Five steps for increasing work truck fleet productivity, by Bob Johnson, NTEA. Maximizing fleet productivity starts with getting the most out of your vehicles. The best approach is dictated by the type of fleet you operate and its drive cycles. [2009-10-08]
Safety from head to toe, Canadian Standards Association. The experts offer helpful tips for preventing injuries to the eyes, head, feet and toes in workplaces – as well as statistics on the number of workers who experience such injuries on the job. [2009-10-08]
Load concentration: not all trailers are the same Rated load capacity is not the only important consideration in specifying a trailer, as this article from Rogers Brothers Corp. points out. [2009-09-02]
Cozying up to your banker can cure the recession shivers Times are tight in the credit markets. Here are some practical tips on making sure you can get access to money when you need it, from the Business Development Bank of Canada. [2009-09-02]
The buzz on BIM, by Barry Reid and Chantal Bateman. Building Information Modelling can be a valuable tool for contractors in clash detection and in determining the impact of new technologies on schedules, as this article from Georgia-Pacific points out. [2009-08-20]
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News Bytes
Canadian construction ducks recession bullet: CSC
Thanks to pre-recession investment and government stimulus spending, Canada’s construction industry will be spared the worst of the international recession. That information comes from the Construction Sector Council, Ottawa, a partnership between labour, business and government charged with helping to develop a skilled construction workforce.
While cyclical peaks and troughs provide sharp bumps in capacity, the research notes that overall impacts are limited. "Compared to the recessions in 1982 and 1991, labour markets will face only modest adjustments," says the document.
Researchers predict that construction markets will move up to peak 2008 levels by 2011, when capacity will once again become a major industry concern.
The report notes that construction employment has been rising since August and that this will continue, as new infrastructure projects come up and activity increases in housing.
"Construction didn't take the recessionary hit that some other industries took and is well-positioned to lead other sectors out of the recession," claims George Gritziotis, CSC’s executive director.
According to the research, Ontario, Alberta and B.C. experienced the most construction job losses in 2009. At the same time, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador recorded gains.
Driven by industrial, engineering and infrastructure projects, construction investment declined less than 10 per cent in 2009 and will rebound in 2010, surpassing the peak reached in 2008, according to the CSC.
Engineering projects will create jobs for concrete finishers, non-residential construction estimators and managers, crane operators, heavy equipment operators and mechanics, ironworkers, trades helpers and labourers and welders, according to the research.
Oil sands and utility projects will increase demand for millwrights, pipefitters, sheet-metal workers, ironworkers and welders.
"…Given the promise of the stimulus and the overall strengthening of the economy, it [construction] should regain momentum," notes Tim Flood, CSC business co-chair and president of John Flood and Sons, N.B.
"Recruiting and training need to continue to be top priorities," says Bob Blakely, CSC Labour co-chair and Canadian director of the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
www.csc-ca.org
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The best place to work
It’s unequivocal. The best place to work in Canada is in construction… especially if you are employed by PCL Constructors Inc., Edmonton or EllisDon Corp., London, Ont. That news comes from the list of the 50 Best Employers in Canada for 2010, compiled by Hewitt Associates of Mississauga, Ont. PCL ranked first on the list, while EllisDon was number two.
But don’t worry if you work for other participants in the research, such as Aecon Group Inc., Toronto (number 13), Graham Group Ltd., Calgary, Alta. (33) or Clark Builders, Edmonton (47). They are also great places to work.
The study focuses on employee engagement; in other words, the positive feelings workers have for their employers.
"Having construction companies in both the first and second spot is quite an achievement, and it is a testament to what companies like EllisDon and PCL have been able to do for the industry and its perception as a solid career choice on a number of levels,” stated Janine Szczepanowski, EllisDon's vice president of Leadership & Entrepreneurial Development.
Scott Balfour, president of Aecon, commented that "Being amongst the best is a very important part of not only Aecon's overall strategy but also our culture. These results prove we are headed in the right direction, but also that we must continue to strive to do and be even better."
The Top 50 face the same challenges as other Canadian employers but have maintained high employee productivity and commitment to organizational success, noted Neil Crawford, national leader of the Hewitt study. "Now that the economy is starting to recover and the demand for talent is heating up again, these employers will be able to retain key people – thanks to their focus on sustaining and improving high employee engagement."
Hewitt Associates
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Funny Photo contest
Got a funny caption for the photo below? Send it in, and if we think you are the funniest, you could win a limited-edition die-cast model of a Mack truck.
Photo: Jim Barnes
The deadline for entries is January 29, 2010
Enter the contest!
Got a Funny Photo you'd like to share? Please contact the editor.
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Calendar of events
February 1 to 5: World of Concrete. North America's biggest concrete-specific show also features the World of Masonry and Technology for Construction events. An extensive conference program is featured. Sponsors/organizers: Hanley Wood Exhibitions. Site: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. www.worldofconcrete.com.
February 7 to 10: The Rental Show. A trade show, educational workshops, morning seminars and networking activities are all part of this event for rental business operators.. Sponsors/organizers: American Rental Association. Site: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. www.therentalshow.com.
February 15 to 18: World of Asphalt Show & Conference, co-located with the AGG1 Forum & Expo. These educational and exhibition events enable aggregates, asphalt, pavement-maintenance and traffic-safety professionals to network, discuss industry trends and get up to speed on recent innovations. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers will hold these events at the Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH. www.worldofasphalt.com.
March 2 to 3: Cold Climate Construction Conference & Expo. Intended for design, engineering and construction professionals, building and project owners, managers, and investors, this event covers innovation in cold-climate techniques and technologies, including winter construction, sustainability and workforce productivity. The Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton is the site. www.coldconstruction.ca.
March 2 to 4: Fifth Annual CGA Excavation Safety Conference & Expo. This conference brings together stakeholders from throughout the industry to share ideas, learn from the experts and gather information on industry trends and technologies. Sponsors/organizers: Common Ground Alliance. Site: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA. www.excavationsafetyonline.com.
March 9 to 12: Work Truck Show 2010 and 46th Annual National Truck Equipment Association Convention. A convention, educational sessions and the Green Truck Summit join this leading exhibition of work trucks, parts and services. Sponsors/organizers: NTEA. Site: America's Center, St. Louis, MO. www.ntea.com/worktruckshow.
March 21 to 23: NDA 37th Annual Convention. This exposition and program will focus on the association and the demolition sector. The National Demolition Association will hold the event at the Mirage Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. www.demolitionassociation.com.
March 21 to 25: ACI Spring Convention. Engineers, architects, contractors, educators, manufacturers and material representatives will meet on concrete industry codes, specifications and guides in more than 300 committee meetings and over 35 technical sessions offered. The Sheraton Chicago, Chicago, IL is the site of this American Concrete Institute event. www.aciconvention.org.
May 2 to 4: PTI Technical Conference and Exhibition. This conference and trade show package focuses on post-tensioning technology and applications. The Post-Tensioning Institute will hold the event in Fort Worth, TX, at the. Fort Worth Hotel and Spa. http://post-tensioning.org/
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Next issue: February/March
 We're starting 2010 with a blast - with an issue covering financing for contractors, the latest in grading and excavators and a special focus on compact equipment! That's in addition to all our regular business columns... Construction Software, Contractors and the Law, Risk, Industry News and Statistics — not to mention the Funny Photo contest. And don't forget Concrete On-Site, Canada's Concrete Magazine, where you will get a post-show review of all the innovations at the massive World of Concrete Show in Las Vegas!
If you have any questions or suggestions, contact Jim Barnes at (416) 764-1612 or editor@on-sitemag.com
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