West Texas AGC News & Resources
Safety Tip: Scaffolding - Mobile & Masonry
For your next Safety Meeting, use the weekly Safety Tip or Toolbox Talk OR request a specific topic from West Texas AGC.

This week, information on two types of scaffolding often found on job sites, mobile and masonry or braced scaffolding.

When connected, installed and worked on correctly they are safe. Failure to inspect or use correctly can cause accidents, with overturning, overloading, unsafe movement, power lines, etc.
Why You Should Rethink What You Know About Construction Safety
For far too long, the construction industry has survived under the assumption that “safety culture” was about nothing more than hazard identification. Slips, trips and falls. Struck-by incidents. Airborne and material exposure. 
But recent data reveals that this long-held approach to construction safety has stagnated. Between 2011 and 2020, for example, construction workers have continued to lose their lives at the same rate with no improvement. 
Comprehensive, human-centered safety — also known as whole-person safety, Total Worker Health® (a term trademarked by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health), or holistic safety — could be the industry’s answer.
Rather than focusing primarily on physical safety and making sure workers don their PPE (personal protective equipment) correctly, human-centered safety prioritizes:
  • The prevention of injury and illness to advance well-being in every aspect of an employee’s life — physically, mentally and spiritually — both inside and outside of work
  • Skills development to improve relationships, attitudes, behaviors and interactions
  • Recognizing and valuing employees for their contributions
  • Acknowledging and reducing the physical and mental toll of construction work whenever possible
  • An environment focused on honesty, collaboration and feedback without fear of consequences
Newest West Texas AGC Members
WELCOME to the companies who joined the West Texas AGC Chapter in the 3rd Quarter of 2023!

  • Diligent Electric - Wichita Falls, TX - Electrical Contractor
  • Dry River Logistics LLC - Abilene, TX - Hauling & Trucking Road Materials
  • Federated Insurance - Owatonna, MN - Insurance
  • Llano Waste Company - Wolfforth, TX - Waste Management/Containers & Demolition
  • Melton & Melton, LLP -  Houston, TX - Construction Accounting Firm
  • Techzan Installation, LLC - Lubbock, TX - Fire Alarm & Access Controls

Find out more about these companies and other members at the West Texas AGC member directory. "It is good business, to do business with AGC members!"
2023 Benefits and Compensation Results Available from TEXAS AGC Survey
The purpose of the 2023 AGC Benefits & Compensation Survey is a confidential report to provide accurate information on salaries and company financial data/compensation practices in the Texas commercial construction industry.
 
This year, there are 39 survey participants covering 2,767 employees in 43 positions. Austin is represented by 2 companies, Central Texas is represented by 1, Houston by 16, and TEXO by 20.

The cost to purchase a survey is $650. Contact Cassie Hughes, chughes@wtagc.org to purchase. An older survey result can be provided from previous years in order to give you an idea of what to expect with the latest 2023 version.
Webinar: Job Costing for Construction
Wednesday | 10/11/2023 | 2:00 PM
Job costing excellence is at the core of high-performing construction companies. Job costing measures the success throughout the job and provides insight into its future profitability. While not used in all industries, job costing is a proven method that the most successful contractors use to steer the financial success of their businesses.
The happiest job in the world, according to new research: 'You get to see the fruits of your labor'
You won't find the happiest workers in the world toiling away at desks or crunching numbers — chances are, they're working outside.
Construction workers have the highest levels of self-reported happiness of any major industry category, according to a new analysis by BambooHR. 
The HR software platform analyzed data from more than 57,000 employees at over 1,600 companies across the globe between January 2020 and June 2023.
While employee happiness overall has fluctuated over the past three years, construction workers' happiness scores have remained consistently high, largely thanks to rising wages and plentiful job opportunities, the report notes.
CELEBRATE CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION MONTH
October is Careers in Construction Month, a month-long celebration of the rewarding and well-compensated career paths available in the building trades industry. With a projected 1 million craft professionals needed by 2023, the construction industry is full of long-term career opportunities for young people interested in learning a skill set.
Led by the National Center Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and Build Your Future (BYF) initiative, Careers in Construction Month—October—is programmed to increase public awareness of construction careers and inspire the next generation of craft professionals.

During October, the West Texas Chapter along with 'member' companies are sharing the story of the construction industry through a reading program at area schools of the phenomenal book GRIT LEADS TO GREATNESS! In addition, the chapter participates in our area CTE advisory committees who meet this month to discuss opportunities for students with our industry. Let WTAGC know how you are involved or want to be involved in assisting others to pursue a career in construction!
Construction Inclusion Week - October 16-20
Culture of Care
Mark your calendars for Construction Inclusion Week, taking place October 16-20, 2023. This week marks a crucial opportunity for us to come together and actively support diversity and inclusion in the construction industry through our Culture of CARE program.
 
Don't miss out on exclusive insights into creating a #CultureofCARE in construction! Register now for our Four-Part Webinar Series, sponsored by Procore, during Construction Inclusion Week 2023. Dates: October 16-19, 2023. Explore the themes and secure your spot today. Free for AGC members! $199 for non-members.

Let's drive change together. https://buildculture.org/constructioninclusionweek/

#ConstructionInclusionWeek #BuildCulture
Employment rises in 223 of metros over 12 months; ACEC survey finds optimism about outlook - AGC Data Digest
Construction employment, not seasonally adjusted, rose from August 2022 in 223 (62%) of the 358 metro areas (including divisions of larger metros) for which BLS posts construction employment data, fell in 79 (22%), and was unchanged in 56, according to an analysis AGC released on Wednesday.
Get an EDGE on Training with Virtual Training Opportunities - AGC EDGE
Building Information Modeling BIM
LEAN
Construction Supervision Fundamentals

Click on AGC EDGE Blocks below for course descriptions, times and registration!
LEAN courses have been reformatted and are new and improved. This is a great time to start or add this program to your company's professional ability to perform at the highest level.
MEMBER WEBINARS
View the webinar schedule to access free training and information to AGC members! Webinars coming up include:
  • Practical Guide to Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Final Rule
  • From Pledge to Progress: Navigating the Journey to a Culture of CARE in Construction
  • Job Costing for Construction
 Benefits & Programs SAVING West Texas AGC members money & time!
AGC Members Saved Over 14.5 Million Dollars Last Year Using
AGC Member Discount Programs 
How much did you save using your membership?
Our value-added discounts provide a competitive advantage that can set your business apart from others in the industry. AGC Member Discount Programs are just one of the many benefits of being an AGC member, that aims to help our members succeed and grow.
West Texas AGC • your Chapter | AGC • your Association
Working together on your behalf,
to be the most professional and profitable company,
       in your specialized field and area of expertise
AGC of America • The Construction Association
2023 OFFICERS
PRESIDENT - JAMES BISHOP | Associated Contractors
VICE-PRESIDENT - LIZ LONNGREN | Henthorn Commercial Construction, LLC
SECRETARY/TREASURER - SAM WALDROP | Waldrop Construction
STATE AGC-TBB REPRESENTATIVE - CHAD HENTHORN | Teinert Construction, Inc.
AREA REPRESENTATIVES - SHANE DARNELL | M & F Litteken Co. & GREG DURBIN | Sandia Construction