Modern Contractor Solutions February 2022 : simplebooklet.com

FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com41632FEBRUARY 2022VOLUME 16 ISSUE 02Inside This Issue28special focusIN EVERY ISSUEIndustry News ............................ 08Modern Construction Products ... 59Coach’s Corner ........................... 60management solution Industry Challenges what to expect this yearmanagement solution Infrastructure Investmenttools to secure projectssafety solutionBe Preparedwinter safety hazards46safetyproject profile Shoring Ingenuityveteran utility contractor pushes limits on two underground projectsTHE BENEFITS OF USING AIR TOOLS ON A JOBSITEGuest Post by Emily NewtonChoosing the right tool for the job is essential in construction. The equipment you use can considerably impact your productivity, safety, and expenses, and these factors aren’t always obvious. While specific needs vary, one of the best items to use is construction air tools.ON THE BLOG5248The Sullair 185 Series Portable Air Compressor is the next generation of portable performance. This workhorse is fully optimized and ready to be used on any jobsite. Engineered for reliability, durability, and performance, Sullair compressors provide the ultimate peace of mind.sullair.comPhoto courtesy of Sullair, LLCsafety solutionCompliance CriticalMEWPs fall protectionsafety solutionIlluminationjobsite LED lighting

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PROJECT PROFILESShoring Ingenuity ...................................................... 16Perfect Partnership .................................................... 20Commercial Pavers .................................................... 22ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONConcrete Production .................................................. 24 MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSInfrastructure Investment .......................................... 28Business Value .......................................................... 30Industry Challenges ................................................... 32Distributed Workforce: Part 2 of 2 ............................. 34SOFTWARE SOLUTIONSeamless Success ..................................................... 38LEGAL SOLUTIONBlockchain Tech ........................................................ 40TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONJobsite Productivity ................................................... 42SAFETY SOLUTIONSBe Prepared .............................................................. 46Compliance Critical ................................................... 48Illumination ............................................................... 52Edge Safety ............................................................... 56SUBSCRIPTIONS For all changes, go to:MCSMAG.COMClick the SUBSCRIPTIONS button in the main menuwww.mcsmag.com P.O. Box 660197 | Birmingham, AL 35266DONNA CAMPBELL Editor in Chiefdonna@mcsmag.comMIKE BARKER Publishermike@mcsmag.com RANDY MOON Media Consultantrandym@mcsmag.comMICHAEL FISCHBACH Media Consultantmichael@mcsmag.com JOHN FRIEND Media Consultantjohn@mcsmag.comKEVIN MCCLARAN Media Consultantkevin@mcsmag.comLISA AVERY Art Directorlisa@mcsmag.comSETH SAUNDERS Digital Media Specialist seth@mcsmag.comINGRID BERKY Office Manageringrid@mcsmag.comTIM GARMONCEORUSSELL HADDOCKPresidentCHRIS GARMONCFODONNA CAMPBELLVice President, EditorialTONYA BROWNINGVice PresidentNo part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage-and-retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. The views expressed by those not on the staff of Modern Contractor Solutions, or who are not specifically employed by Highlands Publications are purely their own. All Industry News material has either been submitted by the subject company or pulled directly from its corporate website, which is assumed to be cleared for release. Comments and submissions are welcome, and can be submitted to donna@mcsmag.com.For reprint information, contact Chris Garmon at chris@mcsmag.com.Canada Post Publication Agreement #41578525. Undeliverables 355 Admiral Drive, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5T 2N1Modern Contractor Solutions Magazine@mcsmagModern Contractor SolutionsDonna CampbellEditor in ChiefSAFETY MATTERSWelcome to February! This month’s issue looks at safety on the jobsite ranging from fall protection to anchored guardrails and lighting solutions to excavation protection. If you thought January flew by … you’re not alone. With World of Concrete behind us, we look forward to Work Truck Week in March. The groundhog saw his shadow. More winter. It’s cold in several areas of the country with ice and snow and wind chills. It’s a good time to focus on safety.First up in Project Profiles is a case study featuring Efficiency Production’s Slide Rail Systems. Read about the project on page 16. Having proper trenching protection is vital for excavation work. If you’re seeking a new software platform for your construction company, check out the article on page 38. Success for implementation, and the right tools for your company needs, begins with knowing what to ask your software provider.Jobsite productivity can be optimized with equipment management using telematics. Check out the article on page 42. This issue brings safety to the forefront of operations and projects. Let this issue be a resource for you and your workers. Lastly, February is a month of getting plugged into the new year. From the groundhog (that saw his shadow) to Valentine’s Day, may your projects and planning move smoothly forward. Be safe in your endeavors and make safety a priority for your company every day. Cheers, 60COACH’S CORNER 3 ways to maximize employee retentionIf you have not signed up to receive a weekly Leadership Tip from Randy Goruk, leadership development expert, go to his website and register: www.leadersedge360.com.DO THIS TODAY:

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com8industry newsEXTRACKER, RYVIT PARTNER TO SUPERCHARGE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES’ FINANCIAL WORKFLOWSExtracker, the construction industry’s only change order communication platform, which supercharges manual workflow and connects companies outside of their internal-facing financial software, is partnering with Ryvit to deliver three new integrations for Sage 100 Contractor, Viewpoint Spectrum, and Viewpoint Vista in early 2022.“Extracker exists to help the construction industry get extra work processed and closed faster to reduce risk, waste less time, and increase transparency,” said Cameron Page, founder and CEO of Extracker. “Ryvit’s iPaaS will ensure we can complete the true end-to-end COR process from sub to GC and GC to owner without ever having to rely on email, excel or carbon copy.”The first integration planned will be Extracker’s integration with Sage 100 Contractor and will include data flow for jobs, cost codes, cost types, and change orders. Extracker and Ryvit, the first iPaaS for AEC to version-forward dataflow in construction, are actively accepting inquiries for their early adopter program for the Sage 100 Contractor integration. Successful early adopters will be industry-leading general contractors that are already actively leveraging Sage 100 Contractor as their ERP and are pursuing automation to help cumbersome change order processes. For more, visit www.extracker.com. SAFE SITE CHECK IN ADVANCED EDITION BOOSTS CONSTRUCTION JOBSITE PROFITABILITYSafe Site Check In announces Safe Site Check In Advanced Edition, a jobsite management platform that provides a more cost effective way for commercial construction companies to maximize labor productivity and project profitability. Safe Site Check In Advanced Edition bridges the gap between field and office workers through a private QR code check-in app for worker, contractor, and visitor management along with a data and analytics platform that provides insight on construction jobsites.General contractors use Safe Site Check In to always know who is or was on a jobsite, how long they were there, and their role. When an employee or subcontractor arrives at work, they use their smartphone to check in through a dedicated Safe Site Check In QR-code poster. The general contractor can customize the entry screen to ask questions about skills, show training videos, or delegate assignments. They can also check on the status of a job or send a message to the entire crew without having to go onsite. Workers can upload images from the jobsite to show the progress of a project. The jobsite data, analytics and reports can be used for compliance, payroll, verifying attendance, and analyzing project and performance trends.Safe Site Check In Advanced Edition includes integrations to OSHA Compliant Guardrail andStair Rail SystemsSafety Boot® Guardrail SystemStringerShield® Stair Rail System1.800.804.4741safetyboot.com• Non-Penetrating Design• Rugged Steel Construction• Exceeds OSHA Regulations• Simple, Aordable & Reusable• Residential, Multi-Family & Commercial Applications• Unique Free Standing Design• Keep Post Attached For Reuse On Next Level Or ProjectFeatured on osha.gov website!

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com10industry newsother construction applications, including a pre-built Procore connector. Existing Procore customers simply install the Safe Site Check connector from the Procore Marketplace and can integrate check-in data into Procure Daily Logs in less than 30 minutes. For more, visit safesitecheckin.com.TRIMBLE INTRODUCES MIXED REALITY FOR CONSTRUCTION LAYOUT WITH FIELDLINK MRTrimble announces an innovative mixed-reality solution for construction layout with the introduction of the FieldLink MR app. Built on the powerful Trimble Connect® collaboration platform, Trimble FieldLink MR offers a completely new way to perform construction layout, enabling professionals to quickly navigate to tasks on the jobsite—getting more done in less time. The app runs on the Trimble® XR10 with HoloLens 2, a hardhat-integrated mixed-reality device. With Trimble FieldLink MR, field crews can easily visualize construction data without relying on a handheld controller for step-by-step navigation to locate each point. Visual cues presented through the mixed-reality hardhat naturally lead workers directly to each point for them to physically lay out pertinent information on the construction site. Attracting and retaining skilled workers remains a key challenge for many contractors, reducing the complexity of layout in the field will be essential to enable less experienced staff to deliver quality work the first time. Trimble’s layout and mixed-reality solutions are part of the Trimble Connected Construction ecosystem, leveraging the Trimble Connect collaboration platform. Contractors from different trades and in all phases of the construction lifecycle can work together to enable more automated layout and fabrication.Trimble FieldLink MR is expected to be available in the first half of 2022 from Trimble and BuildingPoint™ distribution partners and will be downloadable through the Microsoft Store. For more, visit fieldtech.trimble.com/en/products/layout. The Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2 is available through Trimble and BuildingPoint distribution partners.500 MILLION KILOWATT-HOURS SAVED BY LIND EQUIPMENT’S LED JOBSITE SYSTEM Lind Equipment, experts in temporary LED lighting for the commercial construction industry, announces its award-winning LED Jobsite System has reached the milestone of 500 million kWh of energy saved. Lind Equipment compiles real-time data to precisely quantify the energy savings generated by their LED Jobsite System on active construction sites. This energy savings milestone is the equivalent to removing more than 77,000 cars off the road for

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com12industry newsone year, or powering 65,000 homes on an annual basis. If you monetize the savings using an average of 10 cents/kWh, it adds up to $50M of savings in electricity costs. Beyond the monetary savings, the LED Jobsite System has helped contractors eliminate over 600,000 tons of waste with the reusable lights and avoid almost 4,000,000 mg of toxic mercury from being released into the environment, which is serious safety and environmental concern caused by traditional metal-halide bulbs. The LED Jobsite system is an award-winning system of purpose-built, patented, plug and play LED temporary construction lights that you can mix and match to fit your project, and all the projects to come. Lind’s extensive line of portable electrical products for the LED Jobsite can be seen at www.ledjobsite.com and www.lindequipment.net.UPDATE IDENTIFIES STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY RISKS & CHALLENGESRT Specialty’s Environmental and Construction Professional (RT ECP) Practice released its 2022 Market Update to help agents and brokers nationwide better understand the state of today’s commercial construction marketplace and the strategies needed to overcome the risks, exposures, and liabilities impacting this highly-specialized field. Representing the collective knowledge of RT ECP’s industry specialists and representatives from several leading insurers, the 2022 Market Update was developed to provide an insightful look into the “state-of-the-marketplace” surrounding the latest Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL), Pollution Legal Liability (PLL), General Liability/Pollution Legal Liability (GL/PLL), General Liability/Contractors Pollution Liability/Professional Liability (GL/CPL/PL), Architects & Engineers Professional Liability (A&E PL), Contractors Professional Liability (CPrL), Owners Protective Professional Indemnity (OPPI), and Real Estate Developers (RED) Professional Liability products.In addition to providing updates on rates, capacity, claims, buying motivators and underwriting forecasts, the 2022 Market Update also cites the areas of growth and concern surrounding each product. Driven by an increase in claims activity across most of the coverage platforms as well as the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the report noted that the industry in general lowered its tolerance for losses, while expanding the exclusionary language embedded in most policies. This also accompanied the more intensive scrutiny of the terms and conditions offered to insureds, especially the programs of lower-tiered contractors or design/build firms.To view the entire 2022 Market Update, here’s the URL: https://rtspecialty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2022_RT-ECP_Market-Update-Final_102821-1.pdf. REPAIR SPALLS AND CRACKS IN 10 MINUTES!ROADWARE 10 MINUTE CONCRETE MENDER™It’s thin, it gets in, and it won’t pop out!See more at www.roadware.us or call 800-522-7623.Cartridge applied or bucket mixed, Roadware Concrete Repair Products will have your oors ready for trafc, coating, or polishing in about 10 minutes. Any size repair. Blend with sand and pigments to create unlimited colors. Permanent repair.800-522-7623ROADWARE INCORPORATED381 BRIDGEPOINT WAYSOUTH ST PAUL, MN 55075 www.roadware.usPROVIDING SAFETY PRODUCTS THAT ARE UNIQUE, TESTED AND PROVENwww.bedlocksafety.com ▲ 217-553-0963 TWO CHAINS ARE BETTER THAN ONETHE ORIGINAL PATENT#6905174NEW FOR 2022

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202217Experience can breed either innovation or stagnation. Recently, veteran contractor Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc. (K&R), used their vast experience with Slide Rail Shoring Systems to successfully bid and perform two very challenging utility installation projects that required much innovation and ingenuity in how they implemented the popular excavation protection system.“I’ve used Slide Rail Systems before, but not to this magnitude,” says Adam Khodl, project manager for K&R, describing the Efficiency Production manufactured Slide Rail System in a ClearSpan™ configuration. The trench protection system shored a 44 foot x 56 foot wide, and 32 feet deep excavation where K&R is installing a huge 40 foot x 50 foot cast-in-place lift station for the City of Muskegon, Michigan. “What I liked about (the Slide Rail System) is that even though it’s big, there are no cross-beams to get in the way of installing the lift station.”SHORING SYSTEM SOLUTIONEfficiency’s modular Slide Rail is a component shoring system comprised of specialized steel posts and panels. The versatile system can go 32 feet deep in a variety of configurations, such as small four-sided pits; large unobstructed excavations as big as 60 x 60 feet or more in a ClearSpan™ configuration; or in a Multi-Bay™ configuration to install tanks and other structures or lengths of pipe over 40 feet.Slide Rail is installed simultaneously as the trench or pit is excavated by sliding the panels into integrated rails on the posts—an outside slotted rail first, then an open-face rail on the inside—then pushing the panels and posts incrementally down to grade as the pit is dug; a process commonly referred to as a “dig and push” system.MUSKEGON PROJECT“Muskegon is located just a few miles from Western Michigan’s beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline which means (K&R) were digging in the same sugar-sand that makes up those beautiful sand dunes on the beach,” explains Tim Hurst, director of Efficiency Production’s Special Operations Shoring Division. “It’s the dig and push installation process of the posts and panels—a little at a time—that allowed us to install the system down to grade in that soil,” Hurst says.Efficiency’s ClearSpan™ configuration is unique to other manufacturer’s Slide Rail Systems in that it utilizes internal waler beams rather than cross-pit braces to support the system at deeper depths. “The walers on this system are different than on other Slide Rail that I have used in the past; they adjust with the system, so that was new to me,” says Steve Fox, K&R’s project foreman. “It’s a lot different but it’s clean. You don’t have to work around the walers and there are no Efficiency’s modular Slide Rail is a component shoring system comprised of specialized steel posts and panels. The versatile system can go 32 feet deep in a variety of configurations.At a West Michigan location, K&R installed a 28 foot x 35 foot wide, and 24 feet deep Multi-Bay™ configuration with Shore-Trak™ Panel Sheeting Guides to shore tightly around an existing sanitary sewer culvert.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com18project profilecrossbeams like other clear-span system. It’s a lot better system—a lot better.”And that was just the first project.GRAND RAPIDS PROJECTAbout 40 miles east of Muskegon, in downtown Grand Rapids, another crew from K&R utilized Efficiency’s Slide Rail System for a new sanitary sewer line. The contractor installed a 28 foot x 35 foot wide, and 24 feet deep Multi-Bay™ configuration with Shore-Trak™ Panel Sheeting Guides to shore tightly around an existing 11.5 foot x 14 foot sanitary sewer culvert. In the Slide Rail System, K&R caste-in-place a new 11 foot x 14 foot manhole structure up against the existing sewer line. The crew then sawed into the existing culvert and redirecting the line through the new manhole.Once the manhole and diversion line were installed, the K&R crew backfilled the excavation and moved much of the same Slide Rail components to another spot right along Market Street and installed a 24 foot x 26 foot wide, and 28 foot deep 4-sided Slide Rail System to shore another section of the 96-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe on the new half-mile long sewer pipeline.CLOSING THOUGHTIn 1951, Roger Roodvoets and Elwin Kamminga started a local bulldozing company, working out of Roger’s father’s garage. From that beginning, the two friends established the foundation for what has become an industry leader in roadbuilding and underground utility construction. With offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Tampa, Florida, K&R has grown into a successful and highly regarded contractor with more than 200 employees, building projects ranging in size from city street intersections to highway interchanges. about the authorJames McRay is director of marketing & media with Efficiency Production, “America’s Trench Box Builder™,” an Arcosa Shoring Products company. The company manufacturers and services the widest selection of standard and custom trench shielding and shoring systems. Efficiency’s versatile products are designed specifically for safe and cost-effective installation of utility systems and infrastructure improvements. All products are P.E. certified to meet OSHA standards. For more, call 800.552.8800 or visit www.efficiencyproduction.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com20project profilePerfect PartnershipPerfect Partnershipteaming with the right equipment provider for productivitySAVINGS AND EFFICIENCYAt the University of Texas at Austin, contractor BCS Concrete Structures was part of the team with developer Lincoln Ventures to build the 31-story West Campus student housing project. The luxury, loft-style student apartments are located just minutes from the University of Texas at Austin. BCS Concrete Structures partnered with Doka so they would not have to purchase their own formwork—they wanted to limit their permanent equipment purchases. Having worked with Doka for many years, they knew to turn to Doka for a partner. THE BEST PARTNERIn order to limit the equipment purchases for this project, BCS Concrete Structures preferred to team up with a company that had equipment in which they had confidence in and knew would provide them support. Other considerations included limiting the amount of extra equipment needed onsite, as well as providing speedy stripping and quick cycle times.THE RIGHT EQUIPMENTDoka provided the perfect partnership for BCS Concrete Structures. Doka not only provided the equipment for the formwork, but the systems also allowed work to be accomplished quicker and using less formwork.To begin with, Doka’s 10K System was used on the parking garage. The high leg load capacity and the use of H20 beams made the work easier for the crew. For the residential area, BCS Concrete Structures used the SuperDek system on the 8-inch flat deck. The simple handset drop head slab system has up to an 8-foot x 8-foot IN ORDER TO LIMIT EQUIPMENT PURCHASES FOR A PROJECT, CONTRACTORS CAN TEAM UP WITH A COMPANY WITH EQUIPMENT THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN AND HAS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT.SuperDek edge beam cantilevers from an interior stringer, allows the perimeter slab edge to be safely set from the ground below and maintains the drop head function of the SuperDek system.A single stroke cylinder on the SuperClimber raises all interior and exterior core formwork, all working level platforms and the markets largest concrete placing boom at the push of a button.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202221grid spacing, which made it easier to work around. The system is safe and allowed workers to set and strip the system from the ground without using scissor lifts or ladders, for up to 11 feet. It also allowed the same amount of square footage to be framed using less equipment.The crew found the drop head in SuperDek system saved time, was safe, intuitive, and easy to disengage upon stripping. Top 50 was employed for the shear walls. The system is versatile, cost-efficient using plywood H20 beams and whalers. The result was walls that required very little remedial patch work as they had a great finish, with minimal bug holes and were very smooth to the touch.For the elevator shaft the Super Climber SCP with four climbers was used. With the Super Climber SCP self-climbing core system, the entire core formwork is hydraulically raised independent of the crane, just by the push of a button. This project had two cores per level. Without the use of the SCP, an extra day would have been needed to the cycle each time.“Doka’s material is great, their shop drawings have been incredible, and their engineering department has been very, very responsive,” says Joseph Sanderson, project manager at BCS Concrete Structures. “The shipping department has been great. The line of communication has been fantastic as well. Doka has been a great trade partner for us for a long time and we hope to work with them on more upcoming projects.”CLOSING THOUGHTBy partnering with Doka and using its 10K system, Top 50 wall forms, SuperClimber SCP, and SuperDek system, BCS Concrete Structures was able to work faster and safer, while renting instead of purchasing formwork equipment for the project. for more informationFor more about Doka and its products, visit www.doka.com.Joseph Sanderson, project manager at BCS Concrete Structures, worked closely with Doka on the University of Texas at Austin student housing project.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com22project profileCommercial Paversmassive courtyard, pool, and entryway projectLUXURY 55+ COMMUNITY The Dr. Phillips area of Orlando, named for Dr. Phillip Phillips, a local citrus grower and innovator in the 1950s, has been called one of the best places to live in Florida by Money Magazine. Located on the edge of Universal Studios, the community boasts beautiful shopping malls, many restaurants, and upscale residential communities. When nationally acclaimed Greystar™ developers chose the Dr. Phillips location for its new Overture 55+ active adult apartment homes, the company sought to build “beautifully crafted residences and resort-inspired amenities” reflecting the charm of the community with easy access to all it offers. MODERN THEMETo complement the modern, contemporary theme envisioned for the property, landscape architect Architectural Alliance designed attractive hardscapes using Belgard’s Moduline and Holland Stone pavers. The hardscape design included the pool, welcoming front entranceway and signage, gates and fine furnishings within those areas, as well as a dog park.“It was unique for us,” says Brian Euell, RLA, project director for Architectural Alliance. “The customer wanted a seamless look with not a lot of joint spacing.” Euell notes they originally considered porcelain paving in the lounge area and for the amenity deck, but Belgard pavers provided the elegance while being more economical. “We like to use cool grays and whites together because they lend a clean, modern look to amenities such as cabanas, outdoor and lounge furniture,” says Euell. “Belgard Commercial had a lot of colors and patterns we could design with, so we chose Pewter, Gray, Charcoal, and White, and decided to alternate the colors end-to-end. The colors also worked well with the pool tile selection.”At the front entrance, Architectural Alliance wanted to create a unique pattern that they haven’t used before. They went with a “u” shape with alternating color bands of gray, white, and charcoal that was a different look from other developments in the area. Moduline Combo 4x12 and 4x16 were used in the front entrance, at 4-inches thick to withstand vehicle traffic. “Orlando is hot, and these would be in intense, direct sun so it was important we could be confident in the pavers’ ability to withstand both traffic and extreme conditions,” adds Euell.INSTALLATION BY HANDOlympic Pavers, which does residential paver and pool deck jobs, as well as commercial and multi-family projects, installed the pavers. They first worked through all drainage challenges and considerations with Architectural Alliance, resulting in the use of Belgard’s variety of profiles and colors. The installation then started in the courtyard with a breezeway and then expanded to the driveway. As they laid pavers by hand, Olympic had to pay careful attention to the color-pattern design Euell and his team created. “The Belgard color palette offers us the ability to give our customers the creative designs they desire,” adds Tony DaSilva, president and CEO of Olympic Pavers. “It gives us quite a bit of flexibility.” For example, around the pool, the Belgard pavers’ traditional ground face, where the top of the paver is ground to expose natural aggregates—typically pieces of white—adds design interest. They also used a Black Beauty paver with black sand added that becomes exposed when ground as well.STAGING AND SETUPCourtney Blair, operations manager for Olympic Pavers, who was on site

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202223every day to oversee the job worked very closely with JP Teig of Belgard to make sure the material needed to keep the pattern correct was delivered and staged correctly. “It’s similar to a giant puzzle and because we do it by hand and not with a paver machine,” says Blair. “We have to pay close attention to the layout and color pattern—it is more of an art form creating these designs.” She adds that Olympic gets great support from Belgard Commercial on all of their jobs. “It was great to be in the field for a job of this scope. Unlike a residential job, where you might have three profiles of pavers and some planks, there so many paver profiles on a large multi-family job. Staging and setup is also a challenge when you have that many pavers. This is where JP proved invaluable.”Olympic also had to work around multiple other trades on the job, sharing space with HVAC contractors and window installers, among others. Staging the massive load of materials was critical to efficiency and accuracy on the project. “There are lots of pavers in active use and you must ensure the pattern is consistent throughout,” explains Blair. PAVER PROJECT SAFETYThe other challenge was making sure to follow ADA requirements within the scope of the paver project and keep a very close eye on safety, particularly as there was a lot of wet cutting on site. Blair notes, “We have to make sure the right gear is worn, which can be really tough in the Florida blazing sun and heat. You also have to stay hydrated.”Concrete bands were used for the edging to hold it all together, with the borders being installed last. The region has flat ground and sandier soil than other areas, so this is a unique border to suit the conditions. CLOSING THOUGHTOverture - Dr. Phillips was completed in 2019 and offers one- and two-bedroom apartments and amenities that include a dog park, movie theater, outdoor entertainment lounge, sun deck and outside terrace, grilling station and fire pits, and more. “Belgard’s color blends and product lines are very easy to use and just beautiful when it all comes together,” says Blair.Euell agrees, noting, “We’re very happy with how it turned out and it’s been well received by residents. We’ve had many good comments from them. In fact, we’re doing the same pattern on another project for Greystar.” for more informationFor more about Holland Stone and Moduline pavers, visit belgardcommercial.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com24environmental solutionConcrete is the foundation of most of our infrastructure. However, the process of concrete production has remained relatively unchanged for decades. From creating and transporting concrete to eventually dealing with concrete being returned to the plant, there are opportunities to help ready-mix producers improve efficiency and reduce material waste, thus becoming more sustainable in addition to reducing their costs.Two of the toughest challenges for ready-mix producers are the lack of information available to make informed decisions and the automation of the systems needed to reduce process variability and waste.THE PROBLEMSReady-mix producers interact with multiple individuals every day who have different perspectives of how the final product should look and how it should perform. During the process some people do tasks or make decisions that they are not trained to do which can compromise the integrity of the final product. For example, drivers and site teams can make decisions about water addition in fresh concrete. The largest reason for rejected loads and defects in finished structures in the industry is uncontrolled water additions. In many cases, the impact of uncontrolled water addition is not visible until after the concrete is in place. Another key issue is when concrete is in transit. When concrete is being delivered there is little to no monitoring of the mix and the slump can fall out of the range it was designed for. Because of these issues the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA) estimates 3-5% of ready-mix concrete deliveries in the U.S. are rejected at the jobsite for various reasons, such as not meeting specifications. This concrete is oftentimes dumped into landfills, which is expensive and a waste of resources for the producer, and impacts customer satisfaction and the environment. To mitigate inconsistencies, the ready-mix producer is required to increase the amount of overdesign (safety factor) of the concrete mix design, often by adding additional cement to the mix. This increases the cost and the carbon footprint of the mix.SOLUTION: EMBRACE AUTOMATIONIn transit concrete management (ITCM) is the final piece of the puzzle in terms of process visibility and automation in the manufacturing of fresh concrete. The VERIFI® in-transit concrete management system from GCP uses over 10 years of continuous research and development data, from more than 20 different truck types and hundreds of types of concrete, to collect over 90 billion rheological data points to deliver over 100 million yards of concrete. The system uses sensors installed on ready-mix trucks to collect real-time data that enables producers to monitor, measure, and manage concrete properties while the concrete is in transit to the jobsite. The data transmits a status from on-board computers to the cloud every 15 seconds, making the data accessible to the producers and contractors’ teams on phones, tablets, and laptops.By controlling water additions and giving visibility to site behavior, VERIFI enables the production process to be brought under control. Benefits include limiting concrete being rejected for being too wet or segregating and its associated impact, improving contractor satisfaction and reducing the carbon footprint of the process as less concrete is sent to landfills. Samples taken for cylinder tests will show improved strength results over time as they become less and less likely to have been taken from loads that have had uncontrolled water addition, and therefore more likely to hit their design strength. This in turn Concrete ProductionConcrete Productioncommunication solves costly concrete production challengesREDUCING COST, CARBONAngie Khaw, Helen Frape, and Jason Straka

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202225will positively impact mix designs as standard deviations reduce, allowing reduction in cement contents. Shifting the average delivered slump closer to the specified slump by 1 inch can reduce cement content of the design mix by 25 pounds and save more than 21 pounds of CO2 from being emitted.BENEFITS ADD UPTime efficiency on the jobsite can be improved by ensuring that loads show up ready to pour. The collected data shows that there is on average a 10% reduction in cycle time on loads that have used ITMS water addition only to keep the concrete at the specified slump versus loads that have manual water additions. When there is a manual water addition, the driver has to spend more time on site mixing water in. This not only increases cycle time, but also increases fuel usage and emissions at the jobsite. Reducing cycle times by 10% means that trucks can be utilized more effectively and projects can place more concrete per shift.An added benefit that the VERIFI system provides is increased fuel efficiency. In ready-mix concrete delivery, fuel use is a significant source of cost. The ability to track truck locations and truck routes allows for shippers to find when drivers have taken a less than optimal route and correct that on their next delivery. In addition, approximately 23% of fuel in a concrete delivery is used for high-speed drum rotations that mix the concrete. Traditionally, the truck driver has to determine the timing of rotations, using minimal information about concrete consistency or fuel efficiency. In contrast, real-time data from the VERIFI system gives the driver instructions on the optimal number and timing of rotations. Data suggests that the number of high-speed revolutions can be reduced by 10%, representing significant cost reductions. CLOSING THOUGHTThe VERIFI system is the critical missing link in optimizing and increasing efficiency in concrete production. It provides never before available data on fresh concrete throughout the delivery cycle that can be instantly shared within the producer’s organization and across the supply chain. The overall impact of addressing this gap with the VERIFI system is a smaller carbon footprint with less waste and the associated benefits throughout the process for the producer and the contractor placing concrete. about the authorsWith GCP, Angie Khaw is a North American product manager for concrete admixtures; Helen Frape is business analyst innovation and change; and Jason Straka is a VERIFI® product manager. GCP is a construction products technologies company with concrete and cement additives, building materials, and technologies that ensure specified quality and enhance business productivity. For more, visit gcpat.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com28management solutionFINANCING MATTERSLast year, lawmakers in Washington passed a massive $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan which represents the most significant investment in highways, ports, and other critical projects for years to come. But new and old challenges raise questions about whether contractors and subcontractors have the tools they need to take advantage of these opportunities as they are already struggling to find resources in a tight market. Supply chain challenges are dominating the news, but the truth is no industry has been hit harder than construction. PROJECTS AND COSTSOver the course of 2 years, material costs skyrocketed and lead times increased, forcing contractors to pay significantly more out of pocket to procure materials. According to one recent study, during the last 18 months, lumber costs increased 122%, steel mill products 123%, copper and wire cable 101%, and diesel fuel 201%, while demand continues to rise. In Maryland, a 16-mile swath of construction sites has sat abandoned since October 2020. The Purple Line light-rail project is now 4½ years behind schedule and will cost an additional $1.4 billion to build under a proposed contract to complete.Maryland Transit Administration says the contractor’s claims of $850 million in cost overruns stopped work on the line didn’t reflect dramatic pandemic-era construction cost increases, such as for materials and insurance, or the pandemic’s severe effects on the labor pool and supply chain.PROJECTS AND PEOPLEWhile lack of materials is clearly a significant challenge for commercial and residential builders, an equally large challenge has increased in prevalence: the multiple impacts of a worsening labor shortage. As with material costs, the post-COVID labor crisis impacts nearly every industry and has severely added to long-standing construction staffing woes. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index (CCI), over 90% of commercial contractors reported some level of difficulty finding skilled workers, but 62% indicated high levels of difficulty—a 7% jump from Q3. Pandemic-related project delays have also increased, with two-thirds (66%) of contractors expecting delays on some projects. This difficulty in finding workers is straining contractors’ bottom lines.Unlike other industries, simply offering higher pay is not a viable, long-term solution. First, the average hourly construction wage is already 46% higher than the average $11.26 hourly U.S. wage. President Joe Biden’s executive order raising the federal contractor minimum wage from $10.95 to $15 an hour with a January 30, 2022, deadline is set to have little impact. Second, 73% of contractors reported they have already increased base pay rates during the past year, with little success in reducing the shortage. Finally, housing and commercial costs are already soaring due to pent-up demand, scarcity, and Infrastructure InvestmentInfrastructure Investmentensuring contractors and subs have the tools to secure projectsBy Chris Doyle

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202229high material costs. Adding more wage increases into the mix will only further raise those costs, decimate small contractors with limited resources, and ultimately lead to significantly higher prices for consumers. PROJECTS AND PAYMENTSAs with most construction industry issues, the burden of dealing with these twin challenges falls on subcontractors, who must pay for rising material and labor costs upfront, all before they are paid for their work. With narrow and declining margins, inconsistent or unavailable cash flow, and limited financing options, subcontractors are tapped out and have little flexibility if complications arise. Today, subcontractors sit at the bottom of the payment stream. Subcontractors are typically the last to get paid, often waiting 60-90 days to be paid for completed work. Relying on cash on hand is far too unpredictable to comfortably pay for labor or materials upfront, much less reliably finance the sizable expenses that come with scaling a business. In fact, the lack of reliable funds significantly increases a subcontractors’ risk of losing a project and ultimately increases project risk for property owners and general contractors. New, reliable labor advance financing has become available and helps ensure subcontractors have the liquidity to pay their crew on time and deliver successful results.PROJECTS AND FINANCINGYounger, growing businesses typically have a more difficult time securing the financing needed to succeed, while more established subcontractors may have access to some of these financing options. Fortunately, new alternatives are finally entering the marketplace to combat rising labor costs in the construction industry and the taxing impact on subcontractor cash flow and overall liquidity of commercial construction projects.Significant stress is often put on a contractor’s business when they must dig into their pockets to pay for labor, as they are often not paid on time. As labor costs have spiked, pay advance options can stabilize cash flow and help subcontractors continue to grow their business. These effective solutions provide subcontractors same-day financing on completed work with approved pay apps, eliminating the subcontractor’s responsibility to float their own capital to fund projects and pay their workers. Complete solutions on the market give commercial subcontractors access to financing for the two largest expenses on a project—materials and labor—and ensure the resources and purchasing power they need to not only remain liquid throughout the entire project, but also to take control of their cash flow and grow their business.CLOSING THOUGHTSubcontractors are being hammered by skyrocketing material financing costs and the detrimental impacts of the construction labor shortage. With no signs of demand slowing and few options to quickly increase the number of workers, subcontractors need new, reliable options to help bridge the gap in their outgoing funding responsibilities and incoming cash flow. Pay advance options are a critical new tool that can help subcontractors pay for the workers they need to ensure projects are completed and to lay the foundation for future growth and success. about the authorChristopher Doyle is an entrepreneur and business leader with extensive construction industry experience and a record of launching successful startups. He is the co-founder and CEO of Billd, a disruptive payment solution for the construction industry that helps contractors and suppliers grow their businesses with less hassle and risk. For more, visit billd.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com30management solutionAs your business matures and grows, you may start to think about how you plan on moving towards a significant end goal: selling your company. Whether you are in products or services, every business has to decide on an exit strategy. Will you sell your business to a family member so the business can continue to grow? Will you bring in investment capital to expand? Will you sell to a competitor as part of a merger and acquisition? Or will you someday simply close the shutters and turn off the lights? Many companies will only look at the revenue goals and inventory or client list. There is a misconception that only companies with inventory are worth purchasing. There is an even broader misconception that, if you are in the services industry and do not have a tangible asset, you do not have something worth buying. Regardless of whether your company sells widgets or ideas, you may already have business value—you just have not yet recognized it as having worth. Regardless of your current situation, here are ways to reframe how you see your business value.Processes make your company efficient: A scientific process, with documentation that can be accurately followed, is a repeatable process. Processes that are repeatable, and allow a company to achieve consistent results, take the guesswork out of efficiency and growth. When you have a formula, you can take out chance and become more effective at repeating the formula for success.There are things you most likely do for your company every day that you consider SOP and obvious. For most new entrepreneurs, some of these pieces of common knowledge are not always so common. No matter how small the process, take the time to set up a process document that catalogs what you do, how you measure it, and what your standard results are. When it comes to value, having a proprietary process that demonstrates easily repeatability is gold for a potential buyer.Contacts make your company known: If you go beyond sales and revenue in your company, the next best source of income and business are your company contacts. By having a large pool of contacts (different from purchased lists), you have a community of individuals who know and respect you as well as your company. This list goes beyond a B2B engagement. Each individual can provide introductions, be a champion for work, and give your organization a foot in the door of a potential client. Many companies forget their community and the way in which those contacts within their business provide assistance, new project work, and reputation building every Business Valuediscover the hidden value in your organizationBy Lisa ApolinskiREFRAMINGCompany contacts can provide introductions, be a champion for work, and give your organization a foot in the door of a potential client.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202231day for those companies. The contacts can bring in consistent sales through referrals. These contacts become champions for your company’s growth, and growth equates to revenue. Increased revenue is a clear value-add. Talent makes your company resource-rich: Whether you have employees, subcontractors, or freelancers, that talent pool of team members can go through a rubric and be evaluated at the end of each project to make sure they are bringing value to your company and your clients. Companies today can also leverage talent across the globe, so that your team members can include some of the best and brightest minds from anywhere they currently are located. You may need reminders that if you want to see value in that talent pool, you have to remove yourself from that pool. Your job, on top of running day-to-day operations, is to grow your company and bring in amazing talent to do the work. This is the hardest idea to implement, but the real value lies in the team you build to serve your clients.Leadership makes your company progress: One of the ways a member of the executive team can increase the company’s value is by being a thought leader and expert in their respective industry. A leadership role can be demonstrated in different ways, including providing expert advice, mentorship of up-and-coming individuals, teaching or lecturing at an industry event, and volunteering for a board position with an industry panel or association. For example, are there voluntary board positions in your industry associations or in universities in your area where you can help mentor and guide the next group of professionals entering the industry? This experience of working with rising talent will help you become a better leader and more in tune with emerging issues. Leaders can also prompt discussions around these issues, leading to the industry doing better in the long run.CLOSING THOUGHTTake stock in the non-monetary value that you already have put into your company. Your organization is more than just your bottom line—it includes intangible assets that have made your company what it is today. All the experience and relationships you bring to the equation are unique to you and your company, and more valuable than you may think. about the authorLisa Apolinski is an international speaker, digital strategist, author and founder of 3 Dog Write. She works with companies to develop and share their message using digital assets. Her latest book, Persuade With A Digital Content Story, is available on Amazon. For information on her agency’s digital services, visit www.3dogwrite.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com32management solutionAs we start a new year, it’s always interesting to reflect on the many industry challenges, successes, and progressions that have taken place, and make assumptions on what we can expect to see evolve in the year ahead.Prophix has done just that for the construction industry and, based on Prophix’s work with its many customers in the construction industry, has offered a number of insights below. SUPPLY CHAIN TURNS STRATEGIC The pandemic stretched global supply chains, triggered fluctuations in supply and demand, and exposed major weaknesses in the ways construction companies manage inventory—and these supply chain issues won’t let up in 2022. Instead, the continued volatility of the raw material market is exposing the risks of relying on an “on-demand” method for material purchases, buying per job, or when needed. In 2022, we will see an increasing number of construction companies developing individual, future-oriented inventory and supply chain strategies to combat material shortages, price fluctuations, and other repercussions of a pandemic-addled supply chain. VCS BOOST CONSTRUCTION TECH GROWTH In 2022, we will see investment from venture capital firms and funds in construction technologies continue to increase. In 2021, we saw the beginning of a wave of capital investment entering the construction technology market, which had previously seen little money come in from investors outside the industry. This influx in capital within the construction technology industry will spur rapid growth, innovation, and profitability in the construction technology space, ultimately leading to a construction technology boom in the coming year. PROCESS BECOMES A PRIORITY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION C-SUITE The pandemic highlighted for many construction companies that their inefficient, out-of-date processes for everyday business tasks were not just slowing them down—they had real business impact on productivity and profitability. In 2022, moving to digital, data-driven systems for these processes will become a top strategic priority for members of the construction C-Suite. While previously these efforts may have been managed on a department level, increasingly, construction executives will take over the task of driving digital Industry Challengeswhat to expect as the year unfoldsEXPERT INSIGHTBy Chris PorterPROPHIXProphix began as a software distributor. After years of implementing financial applications, the company’s founders, recognized the need for an innovative planning and reporting system; Prophix’s Corporate Performance Management platform was born. Prophix’s software helps financial professionals reframe their everyday challenges into genuine opportunities.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202233strategy as they come to recognize their previous processes are holding them back. CPM TECHNOLOGY AND PLANNING In 2022, smart corporate performance management (CPM) technology will be essential for connecting separate systems of construction companies—from surveyors to builders to finance teams and beyond—and allowing these teams to appropriately plan for the future. Construction companies have been, and will continue to be, buyers of technology and data that will run various parts of their businesses. As a result, there has been and will continue to be an increased investment in CPM technology that connects these systems together to give decision makers a full view of their business all in one place. CPM software also provides construction executives with accurate and integrated forecasting, which will be key to winning construction projects and deftly managing budgets and cash flow on those projects throughout next year and beyond. INFLATION AND MATERIALS Rising rates of inflation will grip the global economy well into 2022 as constrained supply chains keep prices high, and will continue to impact the acquisition of raw materials for construction companies working on projects across the country. The construction industry is often slow to evolve with changing market conditions, but to survive, construction companies will have to act more like a stock market trading business—planning and forecasting based on what the future might hold, as opposed to current market conditions.CLOSING THOUGHTOrganizations that prioritize developing a strategy for managing their supply chain of materials and labor will be well poised for maintaining their growth and profitability levels well into the future. The impact we are feeling from material and labor shortages are not a blip; they are our new normal. about the authorChris Porter is director of vertical product marketing at Prophix. For more, visit www.prophix.com.STAY UPDATED:@modern contractor solutions@mcsmag

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com34management solutionIn part 1 of this article, we discussed the trends of remote working for both large organizations and small and medium-size businesses (SMBs). We discussed that while we anticipate the return of on-premises work for large enterprises, we foresee that remote work is here to stay in SMBs. We laid out the challenges for the distributed and remote workforce. In this second article, we will delve into the aspects of remote work that must be addressed to make it a successful option for both the business and the employee.REMOTE WORK CHALLENGES The first challenge to a successful remote work environment is to ensure trust between employees and management. Employees are expected to keep themselves productive and speak up when their productivity is threatened, while employers are trusted to streamline the work for their teams. This is the cornerstone in keeping a remote work force motivated to be productive. The second challenge is keeping the organization secure. Today, there are myriad cyber-security related issues that arise when resources are distributed not just in a single country but across the globe and in multiple time zones.Remote work force challenges have been written about extensively since the onset of the pandemic. What’s interesting is most of the articles address these issues from a management standpoint. The concerns for remote staff are different, but no less important. We’re reminded of the character Maria from the story ‘In the Cart’ by Anton Chekov. The primary focus of the story is the loneliness felt by Maria. Remote working can leave employees feeling disconnected, left to complete tedious tasks, lacking support and feeling lonely. However, effective collaboration and employee motivation can address these factors, helping employees be even more productive than if they were in an office setting.TEAM BUILDING IS KEYCollaboration is not just participating in video conferences and using chat tools like Teams, Slack and expecting things to be like they were in an in-person setting. Businesses should have policy and budget in place to make remote work successful. One extremely important challenge that is not given enough attention is team building. All of the people that need to work with each other need to know one another. In an on-premises setting, this happens naturally. Occasional breaks and lunch hour are some of the times when people make those inter-personal connections. It is imperative that management creates opportunities for remote employees to meet with one another on an almost daily basis. This should not and must not be limited to daily standups alone. Team building should start at the time of on-boarding where all current employees are introduced to the new hire in both a group and then a one-on-one setting. Opportunities should be created for employees to meet and collaborate on their own without the virtual presence of the lead/manager. Semi-competitive team building activities also have a way of keeping employees engaged with each other in a format that is not strictly related to work. Fantasy football leagues, march madness bracket tournaments, and super bowl squares are seasonal activities that keeps employees connected with each other, whether it be to keep up with the latest winning score or to work on fantasy team trade deals. SET BOUNDARIES Another simple yet effective suggestion for remote workforces is creating a management solutionremote and in-person workingBy Hari Vasudevan, Vamsi Alla, and Jesse GuzmanDistributed WorkforceDistributed WorkforceEMPLOYEES MATTERPART 2 OF 2

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202235schedule. Having a set of times that the entire team is expected to work helps. The other important factor is employee motivation. The need to be recognized is ingrained in every human. Employees that are treated as valuable to the team, with their contributions recognized will be the most successful. When possible, leads need to meet one-on-one either virtually, or if possible, in-person to hear employee concerns and provide direct feedback on the work done by the remote employee. CYBERSECURITY This now leads us to the second focal point of this article which is cybersecurity. The existence of a remote workforce increases the electronic device end-point footprint that greatly adds to the risk and threat to network security. Cyber threats are pervasive and here to stay. Companies have no breathing room to relax and address them later. From phishing to ransomware, networks are continuously being assessed for holes and when hackers gain access, they can cause enormous damage. The damage to a company’s reputation after a security breach can be long lasting and sometimes debilitating. The first level of offense is a strong defense. Strong password enforcement with a 90-day reset is a good start. MFA or 2-factor authentication should be the default. Email and data encryption must be enabled. Enable antivirus protection on end user devices and have scheduled (not manual) periodic (preferably daily) scans. All employees should work through a VPN. Enable firewalls with clear allow and not-allow lists that are regularly reviewed. And, revoking access to off-boarded employees is important. Active employees should have privileges based on roles and groups, to be reviewed periodically. CLOSING THOUGHTWorkplaces and their employees have encountered a great amount of change since the onset of the pandemic. These issues continue to evolve as organizations look at what is best for productivity as well as what is best for its workforce. Of paramount importance is a workplace that creates an environment where employees feel psychologically safe, engaged, and happy. about the authorsHari Vasudevan is the founder and CEO of Think Power Solutions. Vamsi Alla is the chief technology officer of Think Power Solutions. Jesse Guzman is the director of PMO at Think Power Solutions. Think Power Solutions is a leading tech-enabled infrastructure management solutions provider with highly skilled and dedicated consultants who clients entrust to manage their mission-critical infrastructure. Think Power Solutions was founded with the vision of providing exceptional client service influenced by modern technology to positively impact the utilities, telecom, and construction industries. For more, visit thinkpowersolutions.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com38software solutionAs demand from customers, stakeholders, and asset owners rises, Construction and Engineering (C&E) organizations are recognizing the need to deploy new software into their operations. However, not every ERP vendor will adapt to new industry regulations, customer requirements, sustainability reforms, new technology, or modern construction methods. The consequences of not investing in new technology can often result in entirely abandoned or orphaned products. SURVEY SAYSFindings from the 2021 Construction Survey by Software Advice show that 53% of construction businesses have implemented a new construction-specific project management tool in the last 12 months. The decisions were made to mitigate customer, stakeholder, and asset owner impatience with project delays and process gaps in operations, by introducing more artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) into business strategies. Despite the roadblocks experienced in the past 18 months, technology investments are front and center—predictions from GlobalData show an estimated $1 billion in AI platform spend by 2024.Choosing the right ERP infrastructure is crucial, and when disruptive technologies deliver on their promises, it results in great project management. IFS recently commissioned IDC to conduct a study on the metrics and value of enterprise software solutions in the industry. The study found that the software can speed up product and order delivery times by 14% and increase productivity of supply chain and offsite manufacturing teams within construction organizations by 17%. Choosing ERP software is not a decision that should be taken lightly given the complexities surrounding the products and the vendor licenses, and contractors must make sure that the selected ERP vendor is heading in a direction that aligns with the C&E organization’s business objectives. KNOW THE DESTINATIONLooking further than the next few software releases will require effort and vision. Knowing the strategy of a software vendor in terms of technology and functionality allows C&E organizations to align business strategies in response. For systems, programs, and investments that underpin the C&E business, clear visibility into where an enterprise software product is going can be gained through a detailed roadmap from the vendor. Having a roadmap will stop C&E organizations from developing or purchasing capabilities that will come as a standard in future releases. Within this roadmap, vendors should outline the anticipated trends and assumptions of where the industry and its customers are headed and what added capabilities and architectural changes will be made to the product to help customers adapt. Additionally, it should include release plans and dates for new features and enhancements. C&E organizations should ensure that they are provided with a copy of the roadmap in writing and strong evidence that the vendor is delivering on their roadmap objectives. Additionally, it’s wise to inspect where most of the investment is dispersed within the vendors portfolio. While they may not broadcast this, it’s worth taking the time to check recent news announcements and release notes to identify what the vendor is allocating funds towards. If funds are not being put towards the product you are considering, it could mean that the product will turn into a burning platform—which could mean that Seamless Successtough questions for your software infrastructure supplierERP INFRASTRUCTUREBy Antony Bourne

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the product will be discontinued leaving organization if they are falling behind on CLOSING THOUGHT you out on a limb a deadline or giving them advance notice There are many factors to consider for if they are going to surpass a budget C E companies looking to invest in new TOO MANY ERP OPTIONS giving the organization time to get back ERP software and the notion of buyer Understanding the software s purpose on track This allows organizations to beware has never been better advice will ensure that C E organizations are be proactive rather than reactive and Vendors will be quick to tell purchasers making the best selection to benefit their deliver their Moment of Service to what they want to hear how much they business It is important to account for stakeholders and asset owners need the application and the benefits how many different ERP products are Integrating software designed to it will deliver in the future However offered by the vendor The more products support BIM and other construction it s important to remember that the a vendor offers the more areas they processes and technologies can be best predictor of future behavior is must divide research and development immensely beneficial By providing past behavior Organizations should ask funds between advanced problem solving improved themselves did the vendor keep its planning and increased efficiency BIM promise last time Did product roadmaps come by acquisitions this means they has seen a steady adoption rate of 50 in stick or slide The answers will be critical have been developed independently the last 6 years C E organizations have in helping C E organizations select an from each other through different realized that without such technologies enterprise application that will deliver databases data structures and technical business objectives will be difficult or business value to their company architectures Some software vendors even impossible to achieve Research will offer a sprawling spectrum of by Dodge Data and Analytics shows that enterprise applications meaning true 61 of contractors found that BIM helped about the author investment into disruptive technology reduce project errors 55 experienced Antony Bourne is senior vice president of will be limited and not enough for a shortened communication time and significant business transformation a further 82 saw a positive return on ERP products and modules sometimes IFS Industries For more about IFS visit www ifs com investment because of BIM introduction ORPHANED SOFTWARE The effects of vendor consolidation can also be damaging for C E organizations reliant on a particular module or functionality SEEK ING A SOLUTION LET MCS BE YOUR RESOURCE In such a maturing software market consolidation is a clearly established trend However in its rise consolidation has caused many enterprise software products to be widowed or orphaned by the purchasing conglomerates who may have little interest in continuing any research and development plans Sometimes the product is discontinued and customers are pushed onto another product in the portfolio Other times enterprise application products are purchased by vendors that announce new products to unite them all but may not reliably do so RIGHT CHOICE YIELDS SOLUTION When selected properly an industryspecific ERP solution can help construction companies manage numerous projects at one time by keeping employees consistently informed at each step of the project as well as next steps This includes informing the www mcsmag com FEBRUARY 2022 39

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com40legal solutionAlthough it has been around in concept since 1991, “Blockchain” is only now on the verge of becoming a household term, and will soon be working its way into the construction industry. Essentially a distributed ledger technology system, blockchain provides security, transparency, and immutability to every transaction in its network. For these reasons, it has obvious application for participants in the construction field. Coupled with other emerging technological advances, such as “Smart Contracts,” blockchain could be another revolutionary game changer in an industry where such things have become commonplace. But, are construction professionals ready for yet another advancement promising to upend the most basic and critical operating systems in the industry: the contracts containing the terms of their agreement, the manner in which they get paid, and the construction documents themselves? BLOCKCHAIN BASICS, BENEFITS Blockchain itself is a simple concept to understand. Rather than centralizing the storage of data, making it vulnerable to alteration, deletion or corruption, a blockchain spreads critical data out among several locations, and breaks it down into unchangeable “blocks.” The blocks are chained to other blocks so that every transaction impacting a set of data are kept together. This creates redundancy and preserves security by preventing an outside actor from altering data at one instance of the database, since they would have to alter it all places it’s stored. If someone tampers with a record in the chain of a transaction, all other instances of the data would cross-reference each other and easily pinpoint the location with the incorrect information. This system helps establish an exact and transparent chronology. In this way, no single location within the network can alter all locations where information is securely held. Coupled with existing BIM technology, blockchain could offer many immediate benefits to construction participants. BIM serves to facilitate digital centralization and universal access to project modeling, but is susceptible to alteration, corruption, and output error. Integrating blockchain into existing BIM technologies would foster more openness, security, and transparency with each transaction. A blockchain BIM system would prevent alteration of data through its built-in distributed network security, while still maintaining the collaborative process. Further, intellectual property can be easily identified and preserved through the secure and immutable “blocks” built into the process for information within the system, making attribution of creation or identification of errors simpler to discover. Most important to construction professionals, merger of BIM and blockchain allows creation and implementation of smart contracts, which could automate the delivery processes for any project. Development of the BIM model based on a distributed digital register, which is updated and modified during contract execution, allows transactions occurring throughout the project to be entered into a non-modifiable chronology of all construction process stages. They are assigned blockchain properties, which guarantee the unchangeability of the data and allow control of every single step in the process. This allows a self-executing contract to govern the remaining contract execution phases, from design, commissioning, construction, and management of the project throughout its anticipated lifecycle. SMART CONTRACTSSmart contracts then are computer code embedded into the blockchain to facilitate, verify, and execute a contract agreement. Smart contracts establish the conditions agreed to by all parties, such that, when those conditions are met, the terms of the agreement are automatically carried out. As an example, payouts between the parties are embedded in the blockchain and automatically execute when specific contractual conditions have been met, like delivery to the BIM system of the construction documents, delivery Blockchain Techtrack as-built conditions, design issues, or conflictsANOTHER GAME CHANGERBy William S. Thomas

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202241of a specific component or completion of a specific phase of the project. In such an example, the payee initiates a transaction, or block, by uploading the deliverable for which it is seeking payment. The upload contains transaction data such as the date, time and payment amount for that block. Once the deliverable is uploaded, payment is executed. Both the payee and payor see the block of transaction data, so both parties can confirm the deliverable was uploaded and payment was sent and received. Such a system could be a game changer for construction professionals. Blockchain used during the construction process can better track as-built conditions, and trace design issues or conflicts, assigning responsibility for delays or change order expenses. Supply chain management is made much easier with a blockchain system, allowing scheduling and tracking of every component for the project from source to site. Percent complete information and review of pay applications would be made much easier. Beyond completion of the project, the blockchain would simplify and automate project systems’ maintenance and service life scheduling, take care of ordering parts and supplies, and simplify ownership’s management of the property throughout its lifespan. CLOSING THOUGHTOnly 17 states have taken steps to introduce legislation relating to blockchain. Many of these legislative initiatives are merely studying the impact of blockchain technology, while others are blanket authorizations of electronic records, signatures, and contracts. Some permit outright the use of distributed ledger technology as an electronic record of transactions and permit use of smart contracts. Until the states catch up to the state of the art, there may be some delay in widespread use of blockchain and smart contracts on everyday construction projects. Federal statutes already permit its use. However, international authorities are moving faster, and some high-profile corporations have already begun to implement these technologies. Perhaps it will be the industry itself that will be the driver in seeing these changes implemented sooner than later. ON THE WEBIs the industry ready for these new technologies? Read more on mcsmag.com.about the authorWilliam Thomas is a principal at Gausnell, O’Keefe & Thomas, LLC in St. Louis, where he focuses his practice on construction claims and loss prevention. He is an AAA Panel Arbitrator, Fellow with the Construction Lawyers Society of America, and member of the AIA, ASCE, and International Association of Defense Counsel, serving on its Construction Law Committee. He can be reached at wthomas@gotlawstl.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com42technology solutionJobsite Productivityfive ways telematics improves equipment managementEXPERT INSIGHTHow well a contractor manages equipment use on a project, and its fleet in general, can make the difference between a large profit and a small one—or even none at all. United Rentals, Inc. outlines how companies can use telematics to track equipment and increase its utilization, properly maintain assets, and make smarter purchasing and rental decisions.Many contractors overspend by keeping rented equipment longer than necessary, underutilizing equipment they own or rent, and maintaining equipment before maintenance is needed or not maintaining it in time. Equipment with telematics provides remote monitoring of machines and vehicles, collecting and sending data on equipment usage, performance, and maintenance needs. LEVERAGING TELEMATICSWith telematics, companies can learn most everything they want to know about equipment, such as location, number of operating hours, operator behavior, and amount of fuel consumed. This data can be used by equipment management software to help contractors manage owned and rental fleet, including excavators, loaders, aerial work platforms, and more. Here are five ways contractors can leverage telematics data to operate more safely and productively. TRACK EQUIPMENT LOCATIONEquipment has a way of sometimes hiding, especially on large jobsites. A skid steer may be parked in the wrong place, or someone could be “holding” a boom lift in case it is needed again. Jobsite work can stop when crews need to search for essential equipment that is missing. Telematics systems equipped with GPS tracking can be integrated with equipment management software to locate machines on a map in real time. This visibility can stop time-consuming hunts for equipment. It can help managers right-size fleets. If a worksite has a dozer not in use, the contractor probably doesn’t need to buy or rent another one. REDUCE EQUIPMENT THEFT AND “BORROWING” When equipment is on an empty jobsite at night or on a weekend, it can be vulnerable to thieves or perhaps tempt crew members to make unauthorized use. GPS tracking and geofencing can prevent these situations. Contractors can use fleet management software to improve security by drawing a geofence around a jobsite or specific area the machine should stay in. An alert can be set in the system to notify the contractor if the machine exits that virtual boundary. Alerts can define work hours, so companies are alerted in real time if the machine is moved, or the ignition is started, outside those hours. BOOST UTILIZATIONRental equipment often makes up a significant project expense. By identifying utilization of each unit, equipment telematics helps contractors manage the fine line between renting too little equipment and renting too much.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202243Telematics devices provide a wide range of useful engine data, including engine hours. By running a utilization report in a fleet management app, a contractor can quickly see how many hours the machine was used in the past day, several days, week or month. Knowing equipment utilization helps companies understand how much equipment is needed for jobs, guiding purchase and rental decisions. It can even increase revenue by enabling a contractor to make more accurate bids in the future. BENCHMARK PERFORMANCE AGAINST INDUSTRY PEERS Scoring equipment utilization against industry benchmarks can identify areas to enhance efficiency and calculate the financial gain that can be realized. Any equipment rental supplier should be able to provide a company with data about how its equipment is utilized by market segment, job type, and equipment specification. Benchmarking provides an avenue for companies to rank every piece of rental equipment across their projects and jobsites—gauging utilization and days past due against industry norms. It can identify where equipment utilization practices fall among best-in-class, industry average, and room-for-improvement performance metrics.GAIN PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE EFFICIENCIESOperators and managers can use telematics data about equipment and vehicles to determine when maintenance tasks are needed rather than schedule maintenance based on miles or time driven. This just-in-time maintenance means a contractor is not over- or under-scheduling shop time. Data-based maintenance can also help fleet managers better forecast maintenance budgets. The information can also be tapped by an equipment maintenance service provider supporting a company with a proactive, automated program of preventive maintenance and inspections customized to its specific needs.CLOSING THOUGHT“Telematics data is an essential ingredient to an effective fleet strategy that delivers positive impact to the business,” says Norty Turner, senior vice president, Services & Advanced Solutions, United Rentals. “By providing managers with the visibility they need of the location and utilization of equipment, telematics-based fleet tracking combined with equipment management software can make jobsites more productive, cut project costs, and increase the bottom line.” for more informationFor more information about United Rentals, visit unitedrentals.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com46safety solutionBe PreparedBe Preparedavoid winter construction safety hazards BEST PRACTICESCold weather, snow, and ice pose significant safety challenges for contractors and construction companies, and indoor operations can also produce potentially hazardous conditions. Winter jobsites demand extra vigilance and risk management procedures.As a property and casualty insurer for thousands of builders, developers, and property owners, Selective Insurance is familiar with common safety issues during cold weather construction. A combination of on-site safety best practices and Builders Risk insurance can help keep your employees safe and your project on track this winter.OUTDOOR WINTER HAZARDS Outdoor construction sites can be risky: heavy machinery, loose materials, scaffolding, and tools pose safety hazards. Seasonal conditions can add additional risks.Slip-and-fall incidents are common when there is snow and ice on the ground. Businesses must clear high-traffic areas to help keep workers safe.Shovel pathways and parking areas for the work site regularly. Keep buckets of sand and salt nearby, with a scooper readily available. Check paths and parking areas throughout the day. Contractors should also look out for trip-and-fall hazards buried under the snow.INDOOR WINTER HAZARDSWhile outdoor hazards are often apparent (e.g., snow on the ground) and simple to remove, indoor hazards can be harder to detect and prevent. These vary from location to location and depend upon building layout, the goods and materials stored within, and other factors. Some of the most common indoor winter jobsite hazards are:Chemicals. Chemicals at jobsites pose unique risks. Besides inhalation or skin exposure dangers, improperly stored chemicals can fuel fires in buildings and vehicles. Job sites that have chemicals with harmful vapors or air pollutants require additional ventilation and personal protective equipment for workers in the winter months. Give your employees Material Safety Data Sheets and train them to follow the instructions.Sawdust. Sawdust can be a significant issue during winter construction, when much of the cutting, sanding, By Scott E. Smith SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. Selective Insurance Group, Inc. is a holding company for 10 property and casualty insurance companies rated “A+” (Superior) by AM Best. Through independent agents, the insurance companies offer standard and specialty insurance for commercial and personal risks and flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program’s Write Your Own Program. Selective’s unique position as both a leading insurance group and an employer of choice is recognized in a wide variety of awards and honors, including the Fortune 1000 and being named a Great Place to Work® in 2021.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202247and grinding work moves indoors, where there is less natural ventilation. Dust collection bags on equipment can help reduce the amount of airborne particulate.Clutter. Indoor accumulation of stored goods (or even just trash) can be problematic because of its potential to be ignited by temporary heaters. Clearance around heat sources and housekeeping is critical during the winter.Safety Stations. In a site where eyewash stations are required, contractors must ensure the nozzles and contents do not freeze. Frozen contents may expand and break their container, rendering them inoperable or unsterile.Air Quality. Reduced air circulation because of closed doors and windows, and more construction dust in the air, can negatively impact indoor air quality. COLD WEATHER SAFETY RISKSWinter weather conditions can create risks unrelated to daytime construction work at jobsites. For example, unattended structures can provide attractive shelter for unauthorized persons such as homeless people or those looking for a location to conduct illicit activity.Contractors should make reasonable efforts to restrict entry. Security measures such as fences, guards, security cameras, and passive lighting control help keep unauthorized people out. Avoid leaving open 55-gallon drums at the jobsite, as these can entice trespassers to start fires for heat. The weather itself can also pose significant risks. Fall and winter winds can cause crane or wall collapses—especially when compounded by the weight of snow or ice. Employees should also use caution when carrying large flat objects outdoors, like plywood sheets, that can catch a gust of wind and cause the employee to fall or lose control of the object. Claims for events away from jobsites often involve vehicle collisions. Contractors, especially those involved in heavy construction, frequently drive large vehicles and may have to navigate narrow streets or unpaved access roads near construction sites. Such circumstances require careful driving at any time, but much more so in the winter because of ice, snow, and fewer daylight hours.Finally, spontaneous combustion is a frequent winter worksite hazard. For example, rags soaked in ignitable liquids like stains or linseed oil (used for finishing floors) may not be stored correctly and catch fire.BUILDER’S RISK INSURANCEThe precautions above can help contractors avoid many winter worksite hazards. However, if an incident does occur, Builders Risk insurance can help protect your company and keep the project going. Builders Risk insurance provides financial protection for stakeholders in commercial or residential construction or renovation projects. It can provide coverage in connection with property damage or loss caused by hazards like fires, storms, and theft, which typically extends to construction materials and soft costs incurred by delays.Every contractor needs Builders Risk insurance, but not all policies are created equal. Selective offers unique value-added services, such as equipment breakdown coverage, for policyholders at no extra cost.CLOSING THOUGHTWinter presents a host of safety issues at construction sites. By being aware of them, taking precautions, and including a comprehensive insurance policy, contractors can help minimize their effects, maintain productivity and meet the project’s goals. about the authorScott E. Smith is vice president, director of safety management services at Selective Insurance. He joined Selective in January 2019. Before that, he served as Deputy Field Officer for North American Risk Engineering Services at Chubb. Mr. Smith has designations as an Associate in Risk Management and a Certified Risk Manager. For more, visit www.selective.com.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202249Compliance CriticalCompliance Criticaluse of fall protection equipment when operating MEWPsJOBSITE SAFETY PRIORITY #1Although the benefits of safe work practices apply to all types of equipment, it is especially true for equipment like mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), formerly known as aerial work platforms (AWPs). These machines are designed to put people up in the air—even if it’s just a few feet off the ground—to safely complete work at height. Access equipment manufacturers receive many inquiries each year regarding the use of fall protection equipment for MEWPs, including boom lifts, scissor lifts, and low-level access equipment, such as vertical mast lifts. That’s because construction site tasks performed 6 feet or more off the ground are subject to OSHA’s fall protection regulations.Most OEMs, including JLG, require equipment owners, users, operators, lessors, and lessees to be in compliance with all applicable standards and regulations (including employer, local, state, and national) pertaining to the utilization of MEWPs. Below is guidance on what fall protection is required when operating different types of MEWPs.BOOM LIFTSFor fall protection on boom lifts, which includes (but is not limited to) articulating, telescopic, crawler, and towable models, the ANSI Standard for Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms (A92.5) and the Canadian Standard for Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms (CSA B354.4) require that all personnel in the platform wear fall protection devices at all times. In support of these standards, in the United States, OSHA’s fall protection rule requires the use of a full body harness for fall arrest in place of a body belt when working from an aerial work platform. The full body harness needs to be attached, via a lanyard, to a lanyard anchorage point. To be in compliance with these standards and regulations, most MEWP OEMs, including JLG, manufacture their boom lift models with lanyard anchorage points.SCISSOR LIFTS, VERTICAL MAST LIFTSCurrently, there are no current requirements by ANSI, CSA, or OSHA requiring personnel to wear a fall protection device on scissor lifts or vertical mast lifts (machines covered under the ANSI A92.6 and A92.3 and CSA standards B354.2 and B354.1).Although not required, many MEWP OEMs, including JLG, recommend that a full body harness be used with a lanyard attached to an authorized lanyard anchorage point when operating scissor lifts or vertical mast products that do not have a 30-inch maximum lanyard length limit. Many MEWP models are similar, but not the same. This means operators may have to utilize different fall protection equipment, depending on how the machines are designed. For example, By Jennifer Stiansen

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com50safety solutionmachines with a 30-inch maximum lanyard length limit have a decal located next to the lanyard anchorage point indicating this maximum length. A fall restraint system must be utilized where fall protection equipment is to be used on machines with a 30-inch maximum lanyard length limit. It is important to note here that some manufacturers, including JLG, do not authorize the use of fall arrest systems on their equipment.SAFETY FIRSTPrioritizing safety, many MEWP OEMs, including JLG, presently manufacture new scissor and vertical mast lifts with lanyard anchorage points as standard equipment. In some instances, on certain older models that were not originally equipped with lanyard anchorage points, an authorized equipment distributor can install lanyard anchorage points, per the OEM’s specifications, for the respective product, and these are then considered a means of fall arrest for a fall protection system. If an older MEWP model cannot be updated to be equipped with authorized lanyard anchorage points, the user may attach to the mid-rail section of the main platform rail. LANYARD ANCHORAGE POINTSEach authorized lanyard anchorage point is designed specifically to be utilized by one person only. There must be an authorized lanyard anchorage point for each additional person(s) in the platform.Transferring to a structure from the MEWP while elevated. Because MEWPs are designed to lift operators, tools, supplies and materials to access overhead jobsites or work at height, in the course of this type of work, it is sometimes necessary for MEWP operators to transfer from the equipment platform to an adjacent structure, in order to complete a specific task, while the machine is elevated. While there is no specific regulation regarding transfers, OSHA has provided guidelines to OEMs, including JLG, for transferring to a structure from a MEWP platform while elevated: “When transfer is necessary … 100 percent tie-off is required in this situation utilizing two lanyards. One lanyard must be attached to the platform with the second lanyard attached to the structure. The lanyard connected to the platform must not be disconnected until such time as the transfer to the structure is safe and complete.”CLOSING THOUGHTBefore operating any make or model of MEWP, equipment owners and users should always read and understand the machine’s Operation & Safety manual. This manual will outline the necessary precautions that operators need to follow for proper and safe machine usage, including the appropriate safety, training, application, inspection, and operation of the MEWP. A copy of the machine’s Operation and Safety Manual, AEM Safety Manual (ANSI markets only) and ANSI Manual of Responsibilities (ANSI market MEWPs only) should be enclosed in the weather-resistant storage container of the MEWP. If these manuals are not in the MEWP, please contact the MEWP’s original equipment manufacturer for a copy of the machine’s Operation and Safety Manual and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for a copy of the Safety Manual and Manual of Responsibilities.about the authorJennifer Stiansen is director of marketing with JLG. For more, visit www.jlg.com.

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com52safety solutionIlluminationinnovative LED lighting for jobsite safetyINNOVATIVE OPTIONSTo ensure safety and visibility on the jobsite, OSHA mandates that illumination in construction areas, ramps, runways, corridors, offices, shops, and storage areas while any work is in progress. Efficient lighting can reduce accidents and eye strain from those on the jobsite. Light regulation is measured in terms of foot-candle, which refers to the illumination in one square foot from one uniform light source. Per OSHA regulations, a general construction area requires at least five-foot candles of illumination. The lighting sources should evenly distribute the square feet of light without gaps to ensure the safety of the professional. To answer a few lighting questions, Jason Isaacs, director of product management for Milwaukee Tool, shares his insight. Background on Isaaccs: He started his career with Milwaukee Tool in 2013. In 2014, Jason joined a newly developed team aimed at building the Milwaukee Lighting business from the ground up. Over the past 7 years, Jason’s focus has consisted of product development and category strategy to address user issues specific to jobsite lighting. Over this time, Jason and his team have developed the most comprehensive lighting portfolio in the industry focused on the construction trades.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202253MCS: WHY IS JOBSITE LIGHTING IMPORTANT?ISAACS: Other than being an OSHA requirement, a better-illuminated work environment improves overall visibility. With slips, trips, and falls being a substantial risk in jobsite environments, improving visibility in these areas can reduce this issue. Along with the potential for safety improvements, a well-lit area also allows for an ability to work faster and at a higher quality due to the increased visibility. The advantage of going cordless in jobsite lighting also allows for reduced risk of the slips, trips, and falls by reducing the need for extension cords on site, and the associated setup and transport time. MCS: WHERE DO CONTRACTORS OVERSPEND ON JOBSITE LIGHTING? ISAACS: Overspending in jobsite lighting tends to derive from repair and replacement costs, not necessarily the upfront purchase price. A reasonable segment of the jobsite market continues to lack the durability needed for long-term use in jobsite environments. This has resulted in continuous repair costs through the life of a product or a “throw away” mentality after a job is complete and repurchased for a future job. MCS: WHAT IS THE TRUE COST OF USING CHEAP, OUTDATED LIGHTING?ISAACS: True costs are hard to specify across lighting overall due to the wide range of products, prices, and product lifespans. To elaborate on true costs, some examples within temporary lighting can help convey the situation. A traditional product used in this application for the longest time was a 400-watt metal halide light. These products on a test sheet put out upwards of 30,000 lumens which looks very attractive when comparing performance specifications. MCS: HOW CAN COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS SAVE ON LIGHTING?ISAACS: Contractors can save on lighting by investing in reliable lighting solutions, purchasing the correct light for the job, and cutting the cost associated with corded products by switching to cordless site lights. The technology and durability benefits of LED lighting save the user on energy costs and are reliable enough to withstand the jobsite. LEDs emit little heat, reducing the risk of positioning lights in locations where a heat source could produce a problem. When it comes to staying innovative, LEDs provide a highly energy-efficient and reliable light source needed to get the job done.In addition to the importance of reliability when reducing costs associated with site lights, the contractor can also save by researching which light will adapt best to the job. By taking the

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com54safety solutiontime to explore the diverse landscape of site lights and the benefits of each, a purchaser can make an informed decision to reduce the risk of having to purchase additional lighting options.MCS: WHAT SITE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS DOES MILWAUKEE TOOL PROVIDE?ISAACS: Access to quality light is a fundamental need for a safe, productive work environment. It has been Milwaukee Tool’s mission to dedicate significant research and development resources to dramatically advance portable work lighting technology and create solutions that not only provide lower cost of ownership over time but also help users work more safely and productively. Within the lighting category, Milwaukee® offers lights that range from personal lighting solutions to task and temporary that are built to Adapt, Perform, and Survive.Milwaukee delivers trade-focused, high-performance personal lights designed to get maximum performance and user-driven innovation. REDLITHIUM™ USB Lights combine the best in cordless battery and LED technology to deliver high output with all day runtime, more recharges, and 3x faster charge time. Milwaukee task lights are built to provide multi-directional light in large jobsite spaces without compromising mobility. These cordless LED task lights are designed to survive in the toughest conditions and are easily set up in seconds. The site task lighting increases productivity through best-in-class output and durability, making them viable replacements for outdated corded halogen and metal halide lights.Milwaukee has disrupted the time-consuming and costly processes associated with temporary lighting with the RADIUS™ LED Temporary Site Lights. These temporary lights significantly reduce installation time and ensure the maintenance process is fast and simple. The LED temp lighting is durable and can withstand the demands of installation across multiple job sites. The professional can utilize these solutions from job to job, increasing their productivity and significantly reducing cost over time without sacrificing performance and safety.MCS: WHAT SETS MILWAUKEE TOOL APART FROM ITS COMPETITORS IN THE SITE LIGHTING SEGMENT FOR COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION?ISAACS: When Milwaukee Tool entered the lighting space, they became obsessed with providing solutions ranging from personal lighting to temp lighting. The site lights utilize the most advanced lighting technology to deliver a consistent beam, optimized color temperature, and accurate colors and detail, leading to a more productive work area. The jobsite lights shine brighter, last longer and are uniquely designed to adapt, perform, and survive the daily demands of professional use. CLOSING THOUGHTSite Lights should illuminate all jobsites in use when natural light is unavailable or inadequate so users can visibly see their work and move around the area safely. To keep the site efficient, purchasers should invest in reliable, cordless lighting solutions to reduce the cost and time associated with cheap, outdated lights. for more informationMilwaukee Tool, founded in 1924, is a global leader in delivering innovative solutions to the professional construction trades that increase productivity and safety. Milwaukee® is known for their world-leading M12™, M18™, and MX FUEL™ cordless systems, the ground-breaking performance of their cordless innovations, safety solutions, battery-powered outdoor power equipment, jobsite lighting and clean-up, time-saving accessories, and innovative hand tool and PACKOUT™ Modular Storage products. The company is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions. Milwaukee Tool is a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. For more, visit www.milwaukeetool.com.RESOURCES:www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.56www.hunker.com/12558058/osha-rules-on-extension-cord-safetywww.warehouse-lighting.com/blogs/lighting-blog/led-lighting-statisticswww.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Lighting/

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com56safety solutionWhen I started my construction career, my work was a passion, it was a challenge, but most of all, it was a discipline. I got to know my tools, their capabilities, and their safety features. I worked with many systems, and I continually questioned why the safety of the end user wasn’t the priority.For the last 25-plus years, I have workedseveral notable projects. But one project but one project forever changed me from a carpenter to an entrepreneur: Five Hundred Capitol Mall (also known as Bank of the West Tower) in Sacramento, California. On that project, a guardrail post became dislodged during a tightening adjustment, and the bottom half of the unit fell more than 17 floors. I had witnessed many accidents in the construction industry before, but this time, I refused to accept that such failures were unavoidable. I developed a surface-mounted guardrail system with a positive, threaded anchorage system and a dedicated D-ring for a tie-off point. In 2014, my work was recognized when I was awarded U.S. Patent No. 8,656,652 for the Safety Anchor Post System (SAPS).HOW DOES SAPS WORK?Guardrails and the supporting posts must be designed to meet Section 1910.29 of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, and fall arrest systems must be designed to meet Section 1910.15 of the OSHA standards. While guardrail posts are required to resist 200 lb (890 N) loads, anchorages for fall arrest systems (fixed D-rings for lanyard tie-off) are required to resist at least 5,000 lb (22.24 kN) per worker attached. Of course, to be effective, any protection system also must be user friendly and ergonomic.To achieve the tall order of meeting the requirements of both OSHA sections as well as being simple to use, my guardrail post system had to be: • Anchored within the concrete slab• Rapidly installed and removed• ReusableThe solution—use an embedded threaded anchor and an engineered guardrail post with an integral threaded anchor rod. I designed a system with anchors sized to fit slabs ranging from 6 to 24 inches in thickness. By using an embedded anchor, the SAPS system protects reinforcing bars and post-tensioning tendons from damage that might occur if anchors were installed in drilled holes instead.To meet the OSHA requirements, SAPS anchors must be installed no closer than 1 ft from the slab edge and spaced at no more than 8 feet on center. Once the anchors are secured to the formwork, post-tensioning tendons, reinforcing bars, and concrete can be placed. The SAPS anchors are ready for use after the concrete reaches a compressive strength of 2500 psi. The workers simply remove the antenna plug and thread the SAPS coil rod into the embedded anchor. A SAPS post can be installed in under 30 seconds, without the need for a single tool.CLOSING THOUGHTMy vision for the SAPS is to meet and exceed our clients’ needs with an engineered system designed with our core. We recognize that People are the most valuable assets to a company, that Profit is why the business exists, and that our guardrails help to protect the Planet because they are removable and recyclable. I am privileged to visit many projects and see firsthand how the SAPS is revolutionizing safety for my clients. Intertek Tested ANSI Z359.18-2017 Safety Requirements for Anchorage Connectors for Active Fall Protection SystemsEdge Safetyanchored guardrail post provides a tie-off pointBEST PRACTICESBy Manny Carrilloabout the authorJose M. (Manny) Carrillo is the CEO of Safety Anchor Post System. He has more than 35 years of experience in the construction industry. His formal construction career began as a carpenter apprentice in Southern California, where he quickly became fascinated with concrete forms and mega structures. For more, visit www.safetyanchorpost.com.Because the SAPS guardrail system can be mounted inboard of the perimeter shoring towers, workers need to set the guardrails only once, prior to releasing and flying the exterior forms and towers to the next level. Workers outboard of the SAPS system have ready access to secure and regularly spaced tie-off points.

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www.mcsmag.com FEBRUARY 202259modern construction productsThe BILCO Company introduces a thermally broken smoke vent. The smoke vent is designed with an element of low conductivity integrated between interior and exterior surfaces of the cover and frame to reduce temperature transfer. These same thermally broken components dampen vibration for improved acoustic performance against outside noise. The product features 3 inches of polyisocyanurate insulation with an R-value of 20+ in both the cover and curb for superior energy performance, and a special cover gasket to minimize air leakage. Suited for large expanses of unobstructed space. For more, visit www.bilco.com. THE BILCO COMPANY Smoke VentSafer impalement protection and ease of installation are hallmarks of the Carnie Cap impalement protection system. National OSHA compliant and CAL-OSHA approved, the caps are easy to use and only two caps are needed per 8 ft of rebar (3 caps per 8 ft in California). Incredibly cost-effective; instead of having to purchase a cap for each rebar, you can use far fewer pieces and still get better protection. The caps are rarely knocked off the rebar, saving time and money on the jobsite. Carnie Caps are made in the USA, shipped in boxes of 100, and are reusable. For more, visit www.carniecap.com CARNIE CAPCutting Edge Impalement ProtectionWorking with sharp materials, abrasive surfaces, light oils, and chemicals requires a glove that protects while it breathes and offers long-wearing comfort. Brass Knuckle SmartCut™ BKCR4420 gloves offer A4 cut resistance with double-coated protection that combines slip resistance and permeation protection in a dexterous glove. Over a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) shell goes a greener-formula water-based polyurethane coating as a palm and finger base coat that helps reduce penetration of liquids, including light oil. The result is a long-wearing glove that feels softer and provides breathability, fit, and manual dexterity. For more, visit www.brassknuckleprotection.com. BRASS KNUCKLESmartCut GloveFumoto USA announces a new product: the hose connector MH-10. It’s been designed to quickly connect a hose to any of our 3/8-inch short nipple valves. MH-10 is a brass-made, durable connector that easily clicks onto the nipple of a valve. It will sit firmly on the nipple until the end of the oil change. Available to purchase online. Be the first one to try Fumoto new MH-10. For more, visit www.fumotousa.com. FUMOTO USA MH-10 Mi-T-M Corporation announces the launch of its new inverter generators with CO detectors. Each model, ranging from 2000 to 8000 watts, is equipped with a carbon monoxide (CO) detector and auto shutdown if CO levels become unsafe. The models comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recommended requirements to address consumer exposure to unsafe CO emissions. The 2000- and 2500-watt inverter generator models feature GFCI protected receptacles and their frames are lightweight and designed for easy hand-carrying, making them stand apart from other inverter models. The 3500-watt inverter generator is the only model in this series with an open frame design. This generator takes accessibility and portability to the next level while delivering clean power. The 4000- and 8000-watt include recoil and electric start with a sealed battery, as well as, handles and wheels for portability. Both models include digital displays with LED lighting for voltage, hertz, run hours, and total hours. These compact generators are powerful, quiet and are great for charging tools and powering sensitive equipment such as phones and computers. All models include 1-year alternator and 3-year engine warranties. For more, visit www.mitm.com. Mi-T-M New Inverter Generators

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FEBRUARY 2022 www.mcsmag.com60Construction leaders must possess a variety of attributes, characteristics, and qualities to earn the respect and loyalty of their employees. However, for an employee to become—and remain—a life-long follower, it’s wise for them to develop and refine these three characteristics above all others: caring, communicative, and consistent. IF LEADERS DON’T CARE, WHY SHOULD THEIR EMPLOYEES?Employees want their leaders to show they care about them as people—their wellbeing and their families—so making a personal connection with each employee goes a long way. They also want their leaders show interest in their ideas, opinions, and future success. Do they care enough to invest in professional development to advance their employees’ careers?In construction, employees especially want to know their leaders care about their safety. Do they provide high-quality PPE and the right tools to do their jobs—whether in the field or in the office?All employees desire to be treated with dignity in a respectful environment. The formula to do that is simple: listen more, think more, and act more. IF LEADERS DON’T COMMUNICATE, WHO WILL EMPLOYEES LISTEN TO?When little or no communication from leaders prevails, chaos, conflict, anger, confusion, mistrust, waste, or something else could follow. Ineffective communication sets up costly problems that can take years to overcome. Employees welcome these kinds of messages: transparency to build trust/honesty to build credibility/clarity to cut through potential confusion/inspiration to deal with challenging times/timeliness to minimize surprises/appreciation for their efforts/positive versus negative language/understanding, encouragement, and support/being authoritative without being overbearing.To fully engage employees requires employing a variety of communication strategies. Exceptional leaders become masters at finding the right communication technique for each situation. IF LEADERS ARE INCONSISTENT, EVERYONE NOTICES When leaders show they care and communicate well, then the key to long-term success lies in their consistent actions. These three areas are highly important to achieve consistency:Character: Leaders must do what they say they’ll do—all the time. They show character through living the values of the organization. As an example, when employee respect is a value, good leaders treat their employees respectfully in all situations while cultivating a culture that supports this value.Accountability: Consistently holding themselves and others accountable preserves the leaders’ credibility. They know mistakes are a learning experience, but tolerating mediocrity is not. Not consistently holding employees accountable for their performance can lead to leaders being viewed as unfair and untrustworthy.Decision-making: Exceptional leaders use their organization’s vision, mission, and values as their guides to making good decisions. Because these values form the foundation of the business, ideally every decision supports that foundation. When a decision does not, employees notice. What follows is confusion and uncertainty about the right direction to take. To guard against this, leaders have to allow for time to think, plan, reflect, and anticipate. about the coachAs a leadership development expert, Randy Goruk works with construction industry leaders to improve employee engagement and business growth. Contact Randy directly to learn how he can help you and your team: randy@LeadersEdge360.com.coach’s cornerLeadership Traitsthree ways to maximize employee retention JUST A THOUGHTBy Randy GorukREGISTER TO RECEIVE A TIP EACH WEEK FROM RANDY AT WWW.LEADERSEDGE360.COM.ONE MORE THING Any leader who doesn’t show caring and doesn’t communicate consistently is headed for trouble. What can set in? A culture that lacks trust, a rumor mill that won’t stop, and a disengaged workforce with high employee turnover.

Modern Contractor Solutions February 2022

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