Powder Actuated Nail Guns Phil Diekemper, Safety & Risk Management Council  3-2020 Many of our carpenters today utilize Powder Actuated Nail Guns. They have become lighter, more versatile, and convenient. Use of nail guns, however, has led to new accidents, in lieu of the historical accident of a thumb being smashed by a hammer while holding a nail. Our company has experienced several...

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Chris Forster, Largo Concrete, Tustin, CA, has been re-elected president of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, MO for 2020-2021. Bill Bramschreiber, Charles Pankow Builders, was elected first vice president. Anthony DeCarlo, TWC Concrete, LLC; Mario Garza, Barton Malow, and Chris Klemaske, Sundek, were re-elected vice presidents, and Kevin Riley, Belfast Valley Contrac...

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Bruce Suprenant, Technical Director, The Voice Newsletter February 2020 Gym floors in schools—the battle between the concrete contractor and gym floor installers was the beginning of the ASCC Position Statements. Concrete contractors were meeting the F-numbers stated in the project specifications but the gym floor installers were not happy with the concrete surface. They did not like the ...

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Situational Awareness Michael Schneider, Safety & Risk Management Council 2-2020 The industry has made much progress over the past few years creating safer working conditions. Today, most accidents occur from unsafe acts, not unsafe conditions. One of the challenges we all face on our projects on a daily basis is keeping our co-workers focused on the task at hand. Staying focused is depend...

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Bruce Suprenant, Technical Director, The Voice Newsletter January 2020 We need your assistance. Ward Malisch and I are working on a draft of an article on rubbed finishes. Over the past 50 years, there has been much confusion about a rub finish and how it is accomplished. In addition, concrete curing specifications requiring forms to be left in place for 3 to 7 days, and a trend toward stronger...

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Winter Driving Safety Tip Jason Anglin, Safety & Risk Management Council 1-2020 As we continue to endure the cold weather months, winter driving has the potential to be hazardous. Often accidents and incidents can be avoided by simply preparing and planning. PREPARE Maintain Your Car – Keep your windows clear and regularly check the battery, tire tread, windshield wipers, no-f...

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Bruce Suprenant, Technical Director, The Voice Newsletter December 2019 Background: ACI 117 has never specified tolerances for welded wire reinforcement (WWR), stating in the Mandatory Requirements Checklist that “tolerances for fabrication, placement, and lap splices for welded wire reinforcement must be specified by the Specifier.” Without WWR tolerances in ACI 117, ACI 301 in the...

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Wishing You a Safe Holiday Season Joe Whiteman, Director of Safety Services  12-2019 As we get ready to welcome a new year, we must not let our guard down when it comes to safety. As you strive to be a good steward of safety and ensure safe work behavior is the focus, it’s important to remember that accidents don’t stop when you walk off the jobsite. I want to take this opport...

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Personal Fall Arrest Protection (PFAS) Planning Aron Csont, Safety Council Board  11-2019 When it comes to fall protection, there are many things to consider. Depending on the situation, this could take some time to plan out, but taking the time to plan your work will ensure your employees are working safely and that you are using the correct personal fall arrest equipment for your elevat...

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The Emerging Leaders Committee of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, Mo., presented its second Gaining Strength Award to Jordan Berens, director of project management and estimating for Kent Companies, Grand Rapids, MI. The award was established to acknowledge up and coming individuals aged 40 and under, from member companies, who go above and beyond to promote and pro...

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