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News
West Virginia Senate Preparing To Put Supreme Court Justices on Trial
The House of Delegates did its part in impeaching justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and it’s now up to the state Senate to prepare to put the justices on trial. The Senate will convene Monday to consider a resolution creating the rules of procedure for the trial of justices Allen Loughry, Margaret Workman and Beth Walker. Read More...
OVCEC Backs Bond Levy for Public Safety Building in Wheeling
OHIO COUNTY, W. Va. — Wheeling City leaders, along with the police and fire chiefs met with the Ohio Valley Construction Employers Council Tuesday evening. They asked for support to construct a $20 million, 46-hundred square foot public safety building. The police and fire departments are in need of extra space for equipment and technology. A bond levy will be on the ballot in November for voters to decide. It has to pass by 60 percent.
City council said the levy would cost the average citizen $105 a year.
"We passed a motion on the floor to actively and financially get behind this bond levy,” said Ohio Valley Construction Employers Council President Mike Carl. “We want to do all the promotion we can, a lot of it educating the public. I don’t think a lot of folks understand how deplorable some of the facilities are for these guys and for $100 a year, a brand-new facility for our first responders will be a great thing for the city." Once again, voters will see the bond levy on the ballot in November.
Architectural rendering by M&G Architects for a new City of Wheeling Public Safety Building - police and fire headquarters - located at the corner of 10th and Market
Justice Celebrates Positive Economic News For WV
Governor Jim Justice likes to use props to make his points. He frequently writes his key points on a white board during a press conference, and who can forget when he lifted the lid on a silver platter of manure to express his displeasure with a budget proposal. Read More...
A Moment to Remember
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and state Superintendent of Schools Steven Paine joined local school officials, past and present, and representatives of the contractors Tuesday behind Brooke Middle School for a ribbon cutting marking the school’s opening.  Read More...
CCAC To Offer Saturday Class On Trade Union Entrance Exams
The Union Trade Exam Preparation -- Mathematics course is designed for students who have some background in arithmetic and basic algebra, but need a review of those concepts.
The  Community College of Allegheny County  is now offering a nine-session class to help students prepare for the math portion of the entrance exam used by local trade unions for new apprentices.
The class is planned for CCAC's Allegheny Campus from 8 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Saturdays beginning Aug. 25 on Pittsburgh's North Side, according to a news release. Read More...
Before Fixing the Infrastructure We Need to Address the Labor Issues
If Congress passes the legislation the President promised, labor-related risks could arise. For a moment, dream of a world where the President and Congress have agreed on a funding mechanism for an ambitious overhaul of our nation’s infrastructure. Then watch the dream dissolve into a nightmare of labor-related roadblocks. Read More...
Demystifying the Landscape of Construction Technology  
  Understanding the types of construction technologies available will help builders, designers and suppliers deliver successful project outcomes. 6D BIM. Point cloud. RFID. IFC files. Augmented reality/Virtual reality. GPS. Drones. Cloud computing. Sensors. Cobie files. Robots on site . Read More...
Transit group: Trump administration behind on $1.4B funding
Transit advocacy group Transportation for America is calling out President Donald Trump's administration for  holding back almost $1.4 billion  in transportation construction funding since the president signed the 2018 appropriations bill in March. According to the organization, only $25 million for  all-electric bus rapid transit service in Indianapolis  has been released thus far. Read More...
Safety and Education
OVCEC Education Survey
Help us improve our educational opportunities! 
Take the 2018 OVCEC Training Survey today to help us better serve your educational needs! Ben McFarland of Steptoe & Johnson has partnered with the OVCEC to help us create a educational program to suit our contractors needs. Help us decide what it is that your company needs. Click here to take the survey.
OSHA Extends Some Compliance Dates for General Industry Beryllium Standard
OSHA issued a final rule to extend the compliance date for specific ancillary requirements in the general industry beryllium standard to Dec. 12. The  extension  applies to methods of compliance, beryllium work areas, regulated areas, personal protective clothing and equipment, hygiene facilities and practices, housekeeping, hazard communication, and recordkeeping. During this time, the agency will prepare a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to clarify certain provisions that maintain worker safety and health, and address employers’ concerns with compliance. Read the  news release   for more information.
OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program Shows Annual Benefits of More than $1 Billion
OSHA recently published an   analysis showing how the agency’s On-Site Consultation Program, contributes $1.3 billion to the national economy each year. The   On-Site Consultation Program   provides free, confidential safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses. Employers who implement the workplace improvements suggested by OSHA consultants can reduce lost time due to injuries and illnesses. This in turn can lead to higher employee morale, increased productivity, and lower workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
It's Safe + Sound Week
More than 1,700 organizations are participating in Safe + Sound Week, a nationwide event Aug. 13-19 to raise awareness and understanding of the value of  safety and health programs .
More than 2,000 participants have registered workplace events. The governors o f  Kansas ,  Missouri   and   Nebraska   issued proclamations officially recognizing this outreach effort.
Visit the  Safe + Sound website   to find free training and events near you. Participants can also  download a certificate  or  share their successes through social media.
New Compliance Assistance Resources Available for OSHA’s Silica Standard
OSHA's silica standards require employers to limit worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica and take steps to protect workers. OSHA has several new resources to help employers meet the requirements of the standards.
Safety Tool Box Talk
Plan Room News
A di What Is the Plan Room?
  • It is a conveniently located source of construction plans for the Ohio Valley area
  • It publishes a weekly Construction Report listing projects out for bid, due dates, apparent low bidders and contracts awarded
  • It provides updates on projects throughout the week by email
  • It provides online access to plans and specifications for your review and downloading
  • It provides bidders lists
  • It has staff that will get the plans you need whenever possible
Submit Plans & Specs
As an Owner or Architect of a project, placing your project plans in the OVCEC Plan Room will help to insure the success of your project.
The Plan Room will:
  • Help you publicize your project
  • Increase the quantity and quality of bids you receive for your project
  • Help you get addenda out to bidders
  • Reduce your cost of blueprint duplication by allowing electronic submission to Plan Room Online