AEM Opens Nominations for Construction Equipment Hall of Fame Inductees

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is accepting nominations for inductees into its annual Construction Equipment Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes significant contributions to the construction equipment industry made by individuals and their machines and seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of the industry’s role in worldwide economic and social prosperity.

“We hope the innovation and creativity exemplified by Hall of Fame members will inspire the next generation to continue our industry’s legacy of productivity, sustainability and growth,” said AEM Senior Vice President Al Cervero. Since its inception in 1993, more than 30 people have been inducted into the Construction Equipment Hall of Fame. AEM is accepting nominations for this year’s inductees until June 1, 2008.

According to AEM, nomination is open to anyone throughout history, living or deceased, whose achievements were made in the manufacturing, distribution, rental or end-user segments of the construction equipment industry. Judging criteria is based on five areas: industry innovation, industry contributions, leadership, corporate citizenship/social responsibility and sustainability. Inductees will be announced and inducted this November.

Official nomination forms and instructions are available at www.aem.org.

OSHA Releases Guidance Document for Working With Portland Cement

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a new guidance document titled “Preventing Skin Problems from Working with Portland Cement.” The stated purpose of the document is to make employers and employees aware of the skin problems associated with exposure to both wet and dry portland cement; to note the OSHA standards that apply to working with portland cement; and to provide guidance on how to prevent cement-related skin problems. According to OSHA, the document is advisory in nature and is intended only to assist employers in providing a safe workplace. It neither serves as a new standard or regulation nor does it create new legal obligations.

Portland cement, a generic term used to describe building materials with strong adhesive properties when mixed with water, is an ingredient in concrete, mortar, plaster, grout, stucco and terrazzo. According to the document, any employee who has skin contact with wet portland cement can develop cement-related skin problems ranging from mild and short-term to severe and chronic.

The caustic, abrasive and absorbtive nature of wet portland cement can be damaging to the skin. It also contains trace amounts of the skin toxin hexavalent chromium, or Cr(VI). Contact with wet portland cement can also lead to dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, resulting in itching, redness, swelling, blisters and scaling. It can also result in caustic burns, commonly called cement burns, that can cause the skin to blister, turn black or green, or harden or die. In severe cases, cement burns can reach the bone and cause disfiguring scars and/or disability.

The OSHA document cautions that pain should not be relied upon as the initial indicator of a cement burn because significant skin damage can occur prior to any symptoms of pain. Cement burns can worsen even after skin contact with cement has ended. The document advises employees who work with wet portland cement and are experiencing even minor skin problems to see a health care professional immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent cement-related dermatitis from becoming chronic.

The full document is available at www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/cement-guid ance.html.

Lamar University To Offer New Construction Management Degree

Texas’ Lamar University will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management beginning fall 2008. The new Reese Construction Management Program, which will have a dual focus on the business and engineering aspects of construction, is one of only a few programs that offer the combination of civil engineering, business and construction management, according to Jack Hopper, dean of the College of Engineering.

With construction projects for Texas’ Golden Triangle announced at $20 billion, Hopper said the timeliness of the program could not have been planned any better. “The job market will be at an all-time high in this area for the next 10 years or more,” Hopper said. Henry Venta, dean of the College of Business, added: “Lamar University looks at new programs and initiatives through the eyes of Southeast Texas. This is a new program that our area really needs.”

Lamar’s colleges of engineering and business will jointly provide the 120-credit-hour program. Students must complete 72 credit hours of required and elective business and engineering courses in addition to 48 credit hours of general education core courses. The program will provide students with a foundation in the management basics demanded by industry as well as hands-on experience with construction technology.

The university has appointed Steven McCrary to direct the Reese Construction Management Program. “Steve has the unique background and experience to begin this new program,” Hopper said. “His combination of engineering, construction management and teaching experience is extremely difficult to find in one individual.”

McCrary holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and a doctorate degree in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He is also a registered professional land surveyor and a professional engineer with 14 years of experience in project management, engineering, construction surveying and construction administration.

The Reese Construction Management Program was created from a $1.25 million donation by Lamar alumni Jerry and Sheila Reese of Beaumont, Texas.

For more information on the Reese Construction Management Program, go to www.lamar.edu.

People News

Mike Strutt

Topcon Positioning Systems ( www.topconpositioning.com ) promoted Mike Strutt to product manager of the product management team and Jim Hinson to professional services manager of the Professional Services Group (PSG). Strutt has served as professional services manager for PSG since joining the company in 2005.

Jim Hinson

Hinson, who formerly served as machine control support specialist, is responsible for the management of the PSG, including customer, dealer and sales support as well as training. Strutt and Hinson work in the Columbus, Ohio, technical and professional support facility.

Steve Weber

Carlson Software ( www.carlsonsw.com ) formed a Positioning & Machine Control Division incorporating its machine control software development team, a specialized sales force and global OEM distribution. Steve Weber, PE, was named vice president of engineering, research and development for Carlson’s Position & Machine Control Division.

Randy Noland

Randy Noland was named vice president of sales and marketing and OEM/business development. Other members of the division include: Dave Fileccia, technical director, machine guidance and automation; Dave Jordan, national sales manager, machine control; Paul Christopherson, project manager, machine control software; Jonathan Christopherson, programmer/customer support specialist; Robert Inman, field installation manager; and Mark Jones, manager, machine control.

Sidebar: Business News

Yanmar America Corporation ( www.yanmar.com ) opened a new production facility at its Adairsville, Georgia, manufacturing complex. The 240,000-square-foot plant will provide up to 200 new jobs and be dedicated to producing tractors as part of a joint venture between Yanmar and Cub Cadet ( www.cubcadet.com ).

AIM Attachments ( www.aimattachments.com ) opened a new location in the Seattle area to better facilitate communication and services to customers across the United States and Canada. The new location, AIM Northwest, offers a complete product line of buckets, thumbs, rakes and forks, as well as hydraulic hammers and couplers. Additional locations are in Ohio, Arizona, Toronto (Ontario) and Washington. AIM’s corporate offices and primary manufacturing center is headquartered in Grove City, Ohio.