Feature Stories

It’s National Rail Safety Week 2012

May 3rd, 2012 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Throughout Canada, there are approximately 300 railroad collisions and trespassing incidents annually.  Out of these 300 accidents, roughly 150 result in death or serious injury. During the first three months of 2012, rail accidents increased by 25 percent from this time last year. The primary provinces seeing this spike in accidents include Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia.

This week marks the start of National Rail Safety Week throughout Canada. National Rail Safety Week is designed to bring awareness to the recent rise in rail-related accidents and kick-start rail accident prevention. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of incidents that result in fatalities, injuries and monetary losses. Throughout the week, the police force will conduct safety initiatives at commuter stations and railway crossings to promote awareness.  

Here are three tips to keep in mind when approaching railways:

  • Always expect a train
  • Obey all warning signs and signals
  • Respect private property

Railway incidents can ultimately be avoided by educating drivers and pedestrians as well as working closely with the government to reduce the amount of accidents each year.

Resources:
http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120430/wpg_rail-safety_120430/20120430/?hub=WinnipegHome
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/964299/transport-canada-marks-rail-safety-week-2012
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&func=display&sid=14805
http://www.operationlifesaver.ca/

Feature Stories

Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Boom

December 19th, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , ,

Pennsylvania’s natural gas boom has driven local gas prices down, which in turn, has resulted in increased industrial development.  According to a Public Utility Commission calculation, the decrease in natural gas prices has saved Pennsylvania energy consumers $13 billion in the last two years.

A recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration stated approximately 17 percent of Pennsylvania’s energy is generated by natural gas, which is a ten-fold increase since 2001.

In addition, natural gas plays an important role in the production of steel, according to U.S. Steel CEO, John Surma. “The low-cost energy really turns out to be an unbelievable asset for this state,” said C. Allen Walker, Economic Development Secretary.

Although the price of natural gas has fallen due to the unexpected increase in production, the lower prices come with a risky downturn.  Shale gas will no longer be profitable if the price continues to sink.  Right now the prices have fallen below $4 per thousand cubic feet. According to Louis D’Amico, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, “we’ve been a victim of our own success…it’s a very low number for this industry to make a profit on dry gas.” The shale has exceeded all production expectations.

Because of that, several petrochemical producers have expressed interest in the Marcellus Shale. Walker states, “Pennsylvania is in play for several large projects.”  However, since the decline of gas prices, D’Amico says that we will “see a lot of money shifting into liquids-rich areas…shale wells have a very rapid decline [in production]-any reduction in the number of wells will have a very quick response time to impact the economy.” Most gas that is produced by a shale well comes out of the ground in the first two or three years after drilling.

Even if there is a slowdown in development, Sue Mukherje, Director of Workforce Development for the Pennsylvania, Department of Labor and Industry, states that the economic ripple effects through other industries are significant. According to Mark Lauriello, President of Rettew Associates, Marcellus has transformed his mid-state engineering and consulting firm, which has added 210 jobs since January of 2010.

Although we do not know how long this will last, Pennsylvania’s economy has shifted and they are hoping it is for at least “a good ten years.” Natural gas producers already invested more than $4 billion in Pennsylvania lease and land acquisition, new well drilling, infrastructure development and community partnerships, with an even greater investment expected in the future.

Resources:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/12/marcellus_shale_natural_gas_bo.html

Feature Stories

Preparing for Hurricane Irene

August 26th, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

As Hurricane Irene quickly approaches the East Coast, Earl Heard, Founder and CEO of BIC Alliance, provides tips for hurricane preparedness.

Click here to access more information.

Feature Stories

Benefits of Building a Safety Culture

June 29th, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We know safety pays in the construction field. While safer companies traditionally enjoy lower insurance premiums based on a lower Experience Modification Rate (EMR), there are additional, less apparent benefits of building a workplace safety culture.

The building of a safe, caring culture, with an added focus on employee training, promotes employee responsibility. Safe contractors have fewer negative experiences with OSHA and other regulatory agencies. And while a reduction in lost time cases translates to more time working and more money made, a culture that encourages employee safety, responsibility and training is also proven to promote better morale and productivity.

Even more, management companies and owners often look to the safest contractors, those with low EMR and incident rates, to work onsite for projects, which makes safe companies more attractive bidders. Similarly, a clean safety record, resulting from a robust safety culture, makes a company more marketable in a competitive work environment.

Business owners can analyze the ‘Bottom Line’ from many different perspectives: cost savings, employee satisfaction or overall productivity. However, any way you look at it – a dedicated safety culture can be a positive influence on the company’s pocketbook and employee morale.

Sources
http://www.mec.mediaedgehost.com/digital/NCCERspr11/index.html
http://www.nccer.org/

 About Chip Pocock
Chip Pocock has been the Safety and Risk Manager at Buckner Companies in Graham, N.C. since 1996. Buckner is a steel and precast erection contractor that also owns and operates one of the largest fleets of heavy crawler cranes in the U.S. Chip is a past President of the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) and is a current Board Member. He is a Co-Chair of the SEAA Safety Committee and is currently involved in the update of the NCCER Ironworker Curriculum. Chip represented SEAA on the OSHA Federal negotiated rulemaking committee for Cranes and Derricks (CDAC).

Feature Stories

Moving the Needle: Professional Development, Construction and the Bottom Line

March 31st, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , ,

According to a recent FMI study, the construction industry will be short 1.5 million workers by 2014. This statistic is staggering and must be addressed now by workforce development professionals if we are to prepare our current and future workforce for the challenges that lie ahead in a recovering and highly competitive construction market.

In the latest issue of The Cornerstone, NCCER’s bi-annual publication, we discuss the sizeable impact recruiting will have on the future of the construction industry. Acutely aware of its declining numbers, major players in the construction sector are targeting untapped workforces and developing robust recruiting programs. These programs promote the development of young students seeking a career in the construction market and allow students to gain exposure to craft-specific skills and career opportunities.

NCCER and the Construction Workforce Development Center are working together to head the Choose Construction Initiative (CCI), which focuses on recruitment, training, retention and image-enhancement within the construction industry. CCI will take a well-rounded approach to careers in construction, by leading new potential candidates to opportunities in advanced education, training and job-placement opportunities. We believe this multifaceted strategy will help recruits invest in long-lasting careers in construction.

Even in a down economy, employers should be readying their workforce for the upturn with heavy recruitment and training practices. With the aging workforce, and no room in the budget for safety concerns, attracting young new entrants and training employees is a must for any successful contractor. In the end, investing in the skills and certifications of your employees will provide your company with an excellent ROI through increased employee loyalty, motivation, safety and a more competitive stance for your company in the market.

Construction is one example of how important professional development can be, to safety, to revitalizing the workforce and to a company’s bottom line.

Sources
http://www.nccer.org/
http://www.branchsmith.com/eBook/MEDP/26188_MEDP/26188_MEDP/flash.html#/6/ 

About Donald E. (“Don”) Whyte
Don is the President of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and has been involved in the development of NCCER for nearly 20 years.  Prior to taking the reins of NCCER, Don served for six years as Vice President directing all training operations and program development. During his tenure, he assisted NCCER in achieving extraordinary growth and distinction as one of the premier workforce development organizations in the construction and maintenance industry.

 Don’s background includes experience as a vocational educator, corporate management trainer and operations manager in structural steel fabrication, erection and maintenance.

 Don holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Virginia Tech University.