There are a lot of different products out there designed to make working with heavy machinery easier and safer. While this is, of course, helpful for construction and industrial projects, it can be tricky to determine which of these products have the most to offer your worksite and are actually worth buying. When it comes […]
Author Archives: Jessica Ritter Holmes
Safety Tips for Operating a Mobile Crane
When you’re operating any type of heavy-duty equipment, the safety of your crew is paramount. Mobile cranes are one of those essential pieces of machinery you’re likely to need on a construction or other industrial project, but that can cause dangerous damage if not used properly. Before you begin your project, make sure you and […]
How to Make Your Construction Project More Environmentally Friendly
Increasingly over the past few decades, humans have become more and more conscious of our impact on the world around us. Sustainability has become a top priority for many different companies across a wide variety of industries, and construction is no exception. If you’re looking for a way to minimize the environmental impact of your […]
3 Reasons to Use Hardwood Mats on Your Next Construction Project
When it comes to making your construction site a safer place to be and more efficient operation, hardwood crane mats are an ideal solution. They’re durable enough to last through years of projects, quick and easy to put in place before you begin, and best of all, they won’t break the bank. So, what benefits […]
Harris County Launches New Guidelines for Construction Workforce
Changes are afoot in Harris County, as the local Commissioners Court recently announced new guidelines for the construction workforce. The guidelines include the following: Construction laborers working under county contracts must be paid a $15 minimum prevailing wage. Purchasing agents, county attorneys and county engineers must evaluate prospective construction vendors based on their safety records, […]
Texas Construction Firms Are Struggling to Find Qualified Workers
In Texas, the majority of multimillion-dollar construction firms report that they’re having trouble hiring qualified workers in a variety of trade specializations, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. The association, which has been surveying and assessing worker shortages in the U.S. since 2013, recently surveyed over 2,000 construction firms across the United States, […]
Louisiana Legislature Passes $700 Million Transportation Bill
On June 4, the Louisiana legislature passed a nearly $700 million transportation spending plan, the largest such bill in 30 years. The final vote in the Louisiana House of Representatives was 90 to 11. Known as House Bill 578, the legislation provides funding for 10 projects around the state, from New Orleans to Lafayette and […]
Shell Advances Plans for Major Plant Expansion in Geismar, LA
Shell Chemicals has recently advanced plans for a major plant expansion in Geismar, Louisiana, according to Louisiana Economic Development. The $1.2 billion expansion at one of the company’s existing manufacturing facilities would add a monoethylene glycol plant to the site. Shell could decide to approve construction as early as next year. Louisiana Economic Development and […]
World’s Largest Semi-Submersible Crane Prepares to Set Sail
Get ready—the world’s largest semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) is about to hit the high seas. Sleipnir, which is named after the Norse god Odin’s eight-legged stallion, is ready for sea trials, and will enter into service for Heerema Marine Contractors soon afterward. The SSCV, which was recently completed at Sembcorp Marine’s Tuas Boulevard Yard in […]
The Permian Basin’s “West Texas Light” Is Headed Overseas
Production of “West Texas Light” is surging, and now the Permian Basin’s newest kind of oil is headed overseas. As production exceeds the demand of US refiners, exports are expected to jump. Oil companies have sought to separate lighter and less sulfurous crude from West Texas and New Mexico wells, in order to maintain the […]