Click below for a pdf version of ABC’s ACTION Newsletter.

October 2008         Page 1     Page 2
September 2008     Page 1     Page 2
August 2008           Page 1     Page 2
July 2008               Page 1     Page 2
June 2008              Page 1     Page 2

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ABC WELCOMES...
We invite you to join us in welcoming our newest ABC members
Keene Medical Products, Lebanon NH
Piquette & Howard Electric Service, Inc., Inc., Plaistow NH
Pirate Mechanical Corporation, Northwood NH
Powers Generator Service LLC, Swansey NH

ABC WORKS WITH WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS TO RESTORE STABILITY OF FINANCIAL MARKETS

ABC National has been focused day and night on communicating with the White House and members of Congress to get forward movement on restoring stability to the American financial market. The construction industry is dependent on credit to perform contracts and with credit frozen the pain will be widespread and felt by many people. In the most recent communications sent to the members of Congress (on October 1), over 50 National Associations all signed a letter detailing the impact on the hundreds of thousand of employees their members collectively represent and the importance of available credit to run their businesses. The letter urged all members of Congress to take action to address the crisis.

E - C - O - N - O - M - Y ... HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF?

“Wall Street is holding our 401K plans hostage and they are demanding a $700 billion dollar ransom.” Enough of the sound bites from Washington politicians. We need real information to help understand the economic situation and to sustain our operations. Two months ago the ABC NH/VT Chapter contrated with one of the nation's top economist to speak to our membership at the October membership meeting. The purpose is to provide information to help members be proactive, manage challenges and anticipate opportunities for organizational success. Although we knew economic conditions were “interesting” and some change was likely, at that time we had no idea how significant the change would be. Clearly the situation, its impact on our financial institutions, consumers of construction services and our personal wealth has everyone concerned. It is unchartered territory, however, any information that may provide insight and perspective is valuable.

Now more than ever it's important for the members to attend our October Member meeting - THU, OCTOBER 23RD 5:30 PM AT THE EVENT CENTER AT CR SPARKS IN BEDFORD. Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group will provide an up-to-date presentation on construction related economic data and analysis of construction spending, growth, employment, pricing and other valuable information, including the impact of the November 4th Elections. Mr Basu is an engaging and entertaining economist whose expertise and knowledge has made him one of the Nation's most recognizable economist.

Don't miss this opportunity to network with industry peers and to hear an important presentation on the construction economic forecast. Contact the ABC Chapter office with any questions. See the enclosed registration form for further program details. Thanks to our Sponsors!

MAJOR SPONSORS

• CENTRIX BANK
• CHARRON, INC.
• DALE CARNEGIE - NEW HAMPSHIRE
• ENTERPRISE FLEET MANAGEMENT
• HAMPSHIRE FIRE PROTECTION CO. INC.
• KAL-VIN C.M. LLC
• SL CHASSE WELDING & FABRICATING, INC.
• SULLIVAN CONSTRUCTION INC.
• THE ROWLEY AGENCY

EVENT SPONSORS

• ABC MERIT CHOICE
• ABC SELF-INSURED GROUP TRUST
• BAKER NEWMAN NOYES
• COBB HILL CONSTRUCTION, INC.
• GAGLIUSO & GAGLIUSO PA
• GEOINSIGHT, INC.
• INFANTINE INSURANCE, INC.
• INTERSTATE ELECTRICAL SERVICES
• LAKESIDE INSURANCE AGENCY
• LEIGHTON A. WHITE, INC.
• LONGCHAMPS ELECTRIC, INC.
• MULTI-WELD SERVICES, INC.
• NH BUSINESS REVIEW
• PELLA WINDOWS & DOORS
• SKILLINGS AND SONS, INC.
• WALLBOARD SUPPLY, INC.
• SAYMORE ENGRAVING CO - EIC BANNER SPONSOR
• WELCH ARCHITECTURAL SIGNAGE - EIC BADGE SPONSOR

TRAINING MATERIAL DEVELOPED FOR CRAFT WORKERS' FUNDEMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF GREEN CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) has developed the curriculum, titled “Your Role in the Green Environment,” to provide fundamental instruction in the green environment, green construction practices, and green building rating systems. The NH/VT Chapter of ABC is an accredited sponsor of the NCCER program. The primary purpose is to provide craft professionals an awareness and knowledge of green construction principles and methodologies.

The 15 hour introductory course introduces the Green Building rating systems and helps identify construction activities that contribute to a project's rating, and addresses common construction pitfalls to avoid. The course has been recognized and endorsed by both the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Advantage.

Students successfully completing Your Role in the Green Environment through an Accredited Training Sponsor will earn industry recognized credentials through the NCCER National Registry. Contact the ABC Chapter office for further information.

PER EMPLOYEE PENALTIES PROPOSED BY OSHA IN PPE RULE

ABC filed comments with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expressing concerns regarding a proposed rule that would allow employers to be held liable on a per employee basis for failing to provide the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and training to workers. ABC noted in its comments that it supported the spirit behind the rule, but could not support the rule because it failed to define the circumstance in which an employer would be subjected to the per employee penalties. ABC pointed out that the rule, as currently written, could be interpreted to mean that all PPE and training violations would be subjected to per employee penalties although OSHA insists that it would only apply to flagrant violations. The final rules regulatory language needs to be revised to make absolutely clear that the more expansive interpretation is not intended and cannot arise out of the rulemaking.

The proposed rule also fails to provide guidance on what will be considered appropriate documentation for proving that an employee has completed the required training. The final rule should also include specific guidance on what evidence OSHA will require employers to provide in order to document that the requisite training has in fact been provided. ABC will expand its position on the comments during a public hearing at the Department of Labor, in Washington, D.C.