Maine schools add programs to address HVAC, plumbing shortage | Pa. institute to expand welding program | AEC industry slow to adopt digital twin technology
March 18, 2019
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Maine schools add programs to address HVAC, plumbing shortage
A shortage of HVAC and plumbing technicians in Maine has caused a large backlog of related projects around the state, with even some basic work requiring at least three weeks in many areas, according to Paul Chapin, a plumbing and HVAC instructor at the Portland Arts and Technology High School. The school added teachers to help address the demand for HVAC technicians and plumbers, while Central Maine Community College is adding an HVAC and plumbing program this fall.
WGME-TV (Portland, Maine) (3/14) 
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Pa. institute to expand welding program
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute in Pennsylvania is planning to open a new Welding Technology Center because of increased demand for skilled workers. Construction on the facility, which is to be about twice the size of the current welding facility, is expected to be completed later this year.
The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) (3/15) 
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Trends & Technology
AEC industry slow to adopt digital twin technology
A digital twin, or virtual replica, allows designers to test a structure before it is built, but the architecture, engineering and construction industry has been slow to adapt the technology, partially because designs often change during the construction process.
Building Design + Construction (free registration) (3/15) 
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New material allows air, light flow while blocking sound
Boston University researchers have created a material that allows air and light flow but blocks sound. The material's properties would allow it to dampen the sounds created by HVAC systems, MRI machines and other equipment, according to researchers Xin Zhang and Reza Ghaffarivardavagh.
Futurism (3/14),  Fast Company online (3/11) 
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Legislation & Regulation
NFPA 70E is essential for electrical safety
NFPA 70E is meant to ensure a working area is safe from electricity-related hazards, even though it's not included in OSHA regulations, Mark Lamendola says. "The financial, operational, and emotional impact on a firm when an employee suffers an arc blast or electrocution can be severe," he writes.
Electrical Construction & Maintenance magazine (3/15) 
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Labor Dept. releases FMLA, FLSA opinion letters
The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division has released an opinion letter stating that the Family and Medical Leave Act can't keep employers from designating leave policies that are more generous than required, although only 12 weeks of standard leave or 26 weeks of military caregiver leave will be protected by FMLA. Meanwhile, the division's two opinion letters on Fair Labor Standards Act matters indicate that the division doesn't consider state law exemptions as good-faith defenses to FLSA noncompliance and that optional volunteer program hours don't qualify as hours worked under the FLSA.
Occupational Health & Safety (3/15) 
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Business Ownership
Develop strong values to attract, retain workers
Construction employers who want to attract new talent must "showcase their values, unique line of business or management style early in the recruitment process," Matt Bertman and Kevin Clary write. It's also important to establish a favorable culture through employee recognition, professional development opportunities, flexible work schedules and other initiatives.
Construction Executive magazine online (3/15) 
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Column: Project managers must thrive in the "gray area"
A project manager's duty to balance a client's goals and objectives against informing the client about potential problems is challenging but necessary, Mark Anderson writes. How well your team approaches the "gray area" between compliance and confrontation can shape the outcome of a project.
Construction Business Owner (3/11) 
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How captives serve for reinsuring surety bonds
Captives typically used for insurance are now expanding into the role of reinsurance. Alex Wright examines their growing use in reinsuring surety bonds and the advantages they offer.
Risk & Insurance online (3/14) 
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Life doesn't begin when you lose weight. Big dreams can be planned for and achieved in the bodies we have today, regardless of size or age.
Deb Malkin,
one of at least 20 plus-size women who hiked Mount Kilimanjaro together from March 2 to 10

March is Women's History Month

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