Diversity in Construction

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The construction industry often struggles with diversity. 

It’s most clear when it comes to gender: as of 2021, women comprise only about 8% of the total construction workforce, despite making up 47% of all employed people worldwide. Of that 8%, only about 1% work on jobsites, with the majority of women being placed in office and sales positions. 

Similarly, there is a huge disparity when it comes to race: 58.7% of those working in construction are white, followed by 24.5% Hispanic or Latino and 10.7% Black or African American. 

Why does it matter?

Research has shown that having a wider mix of people on your staff improves morale and productivity, and keeps workers on your team longer. The good news is that diversity is always improving and there are things you or your job leaders can do to help. With the ever-increasing housing market, it’s expected that the industry will need another 430,000 workers in the coming year. Widening your search to include underrepresented individuals can help fill those labor gaps. This also tends to improve performance, as a larger hiring pool means opening yourself up to finding more talent and a wider range of skills (studies have shown inclusive firms have 1.32 times higher productivity than less diverse firms). 

An increase in talent can also lead to improved problem-solving, as a wide range of experiences and perspectives mean more innovation when facing challenges on the jobsite. More innovation leads to quicker solutions, which means your company can outperform your less diverse competition. It’s also going to get you noticed, as high performance and a positive work environment are two of the best ways (along with decent pay and benefits) to attract and retain quality craftspeople to your team – critically important with today’s labor shortages. 

How do I diversify my workforce? 

First, check in with yourself. Make sure that you are offering the same opportunities for leadership and promotion to everyone. For example, are the women on your team offered the same leadership opportunities as the men, or are they limited to only administrative positions? These changes often start with company management reevaluating their current policies, and making sure they are free from unconscious biases and discrimination. This could mean changing promotion criteria and providing diversity training to both management and employees. 

When hiring new employees, aim for a blind review that omits the applicant’s name so you can be more impartial. Have multiple people on your hiring team, and whenever possible include people from diverse backgrounds. 

Building new partnerships is also key to bringing in new and varied talent. Starting a partnership with a local high school, community college, or nonprofit to teach youth and young adults construction skills can not only get your name out into the community, but can also jump start the training of your next batch of employees with little effort on your part. This also ensures the diversity of your workforce is representative of your community. 

Diversity and inclusion is the way of the future. Put your organization in a position to succeed by hiring and promoting a diverse range of staff. With this mindset, you can resolve labor shortages while ensuring your staff feel safe, satisfied, and empowered in the new year. 

Data Source: Zippia

New Year, New Trends in Construction

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2021 was full of growth for many construction companies, but it wasn’t always easy. Bottlenecks in production and delayed shipping increased material costs, and a shortage of labor slowed down projects. Necessity is the mother of invention, though, and these struggles have led to the creation of many new and creative solutions in the industry. The following trends are expected to become commonplace in 2022 as crews work toward faster build speeds, efficient use of quality materials, and finding ways to keep their crews happy and safe.

  • Digitalization. Last month we told you all about exosuits, wearables to keep workers injury free on the job site. They are just one example of technology that keeps projects running smoothly and workers safe. Technology like cloud-based collaboration software, drones, and robots are also becoming standard and will shape the industry through the coming years. 
  • Happy Workers. You can have all the robots in the industry, but without enough people on your crew, your job will be at a standstill. The “great resignation” of 2021 has left a serious skills gap throughout the construction world, and companies are having to incentivise workers in new and thoughtful ways. These methods include better pay and benefits, regular training and opportunities for upward momentum, and innovative tools to maximize safety. 
  • New Materials. Transparent aluminum. Self-healing concrete. These are just a few of the newly engineered materials on the market created to reduce construction costs. Many utilize recycled base components, which save money and reduce waste. 
  • 3D Printing. Similarly, 3D printing is quickly becoming a rising star in the industry. Whether printing a replacement part for a machine or creating a highly detailed construction model, 3D printing is becoming popular as a quick and efficient way to keep jobs on schedule.
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Twins. Both built using IOT technology, BIM and Digital Twins allow better communication between workers, management and customers. BIM provides information throughout all the construction phases, including project schedule, cost, and materials. A Digital Twin is a virtual model of a building site or building. It captures thousands of data points that can then be viewed, monitored, and even changed in real time. This allows crews to text new ideas or try new designs, saving both time and materials. 

We can’t wait to see all the ways you and your crew put modern tech to real use in your projects. In the meantime, have a safe and happy new year! We at Steadfast look forward to meeting all of your staffing and equipment needs in 2022.

Stability and Industry Growth in 2022

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After the uncertainty of the last two years, many in the heavy equipment and construction agencies are looking towards 2022 with hope for stability and profits. 

Thanks in part to the federal funding provided by the American Jobs Plan (AJP), a sharp uptick of work on the country’s roads, bridges, and railways is expected to start in 2022. This, combined with the continued need for single family homes that began in 2021, has model simulations expecting a growth of 3.5% for the construction industry as a whole through the end of 2023.

What the numbers show.

Mostly due to influx in funding from the AJP, the private, local, state and federal sectors are all expected to experience double-digit growth through at least 2023. While this is promising for those who work in the infrastructure and residential sectors, the outlook is more mixed for those whose construction focuses on business and commerce. Some businesses, like health care facilities and schools, received federal funding during the pandemic and have grown. Warehouses and transportation facilities have benefitted from private funding as home shipping has increased. And others, like office buildings, have seen a steep decrease in funding as many workers have shifted to remote work. 

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, these shifts flatlined growth in the business and commerce sectors in 2021, but experts are cautiously optimistic that a resurgence of those returning to work post Covid will see a 2.9% growth in 2022. 

While growth is usually great for an economy, there can be downsides.

This has been seen in the current housing crisis, where the urgent need for affordable housing has led to a shortage of materials and labor and, ultimately, inflation. This is expected to continue through 2022 and beyond, with the US now ranking 4th globally for year-over-year home price increases behind Sweden, Denmark, and Russia. 

Inflation is not just limited to the housing market. 

Supply chain issues and labor shortages have led to inflation in manufacturing, which then ripples outward toward both construction companies and their clients. However, experts expect that this will level out in 2022. The extra work has also led to an increase in heavy equipment purchases, which has now passed pre-pandemic levels. This is expected to result in a 4% increase in construction machinery sales for 2022, and further growth beyond. 

A more positive future is coming soon! 

In 2022, Steadfast hopes to see all our partners gain renewed profits and growth. 

Whether back in the saddle and ramping up projects or still experiencing tight budgets, Steadfast is here to help you maximize cost and efficiency with the right equipment and staffing. We ourselves are very familiar with the hurdles of the past years, and our goal is to partner with other organizations in success and forward momentum. Contact us today to help you get your project – and your new year! – off to a great start.

Exosuits: A Rising Star in Construction Safety

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Due to the extreme physicality of their job, it’s no surprise that as many as 30% of construction workers end up missing work due to back injuries. The long hours, repetitive movements, unequal lifting, and heavy tool belts make construction the number one occupation resulting in lower back pain. However, new technology is offering hope to the backs of construction crews, health care workers, soldiers, and agricultural workers everywhere in the form of exosuits.

What are they?

Exosuits, sometimes called exoskeletons, are wearable frameworks that provide back and joint support and lower the forces that can lead to injury, chronic pain, and fatigue. Exosuits have been around since the 1960s, but their bulk and rigid structure restricted movement and made working in tight spaces difficult. Despite the better physical support for users, this inability to complete their jobs quickly and efficiently led many workers to abandon their use. 

Exosuit creators have been listening to feedback, and many new models appeared on the market in the last several years, with even more technological enhancements expected to appear by 2025. 

Types of Exosuits

“Soft-shell” suits, also called soft exosuits, are becoming popular because they provide extended mobility while still providing support. Corporations like Toyota and Walmart have started testing new suits with sensors that alert workers when they’re engaging in risky movements. These suits also collect data that give employers insight into which jobs and tasks pose the highest risk of injury. If successful, employers could then use this data to improve workplace design and equipment.  

New robotic exosuits are also expected to revolutionize the construction industry. Originally designed by the military and later used in healthcare, these suits might make you think of Tony Stark and Ironman. Consisting of a metal framework fitted with motorized muscles, these suits multiply the wearer’s strength, making objects feel significantly lighter and leading to fewer injuries on the jobsite.

Suits also come in two categories: passive, which means there are no batteries, actuators or motors to assist with physical activity; or active, with technology that takes on some of the load for the wearer. Some examples of passive suits include overhead exosuits that offer neck, shoulder, and arm support while workers perform overhead installation work, and chairless chairs, which lock in place to support workers who are crouching or standing in the same position for a long period of time. 

Active suits might include arm support limbs that let workers lift heavy tools, as well as full body suits that use compressed air to take most of the lifting load off the wearer. 

The Future of Exosuits

While most employers would jump at the opportunity to keep their workers safe and compliant, the cost of exosuits has often been a deterrent. However, exosuit prices have been dropping since 2015. As technology gets better and more affordable, it’s only a matter of time before every construction site adopts this powerful tech. 

Whether it’s active or passive, soft-shell or robotic, we’re excited to see how exosuit technology will continue to expand, creating new and innovative ways to protect our workers and make sure your projects are done on time, every time. 

Managing Construction During the Ho-Ho-Holidays

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The holidays are fast approaching, which means keeping your construction crews happy, safe, and productive as the days get shorter and celebrations with family and friends are on their minds. It can be hard to strike a balance between maintaining project momentum and giving your crews a much-needed break, so we’ve provided the following tips to help you manage the holidays and start the new year on a high note:

  1. Underpromise & Overdeliver.

    Clients can be stressed during the holidays, and may set high expectations that can’t be met when crews are taking extended time off to spend with their families. Plan ahead for the additional time needed, and be honest with clients about reduced productivity from November to January, while assuring them the project will continue to move. By working this extra time into your schedule, you’ll be able to focus on quality work instead of unsafely rushing, and you’ll still meet deadlines. Plus, if you finish early, you’re sure to be your client’s favorite holiday gift giver! 
  1. Limit the Overtime.

    Clients might push extra hard during the holidays, but don’t let that turn into running your crews into the ground. Extra long hours, all nighters, and extreme stress on the jobsite can lead to mistakes, injuries, and/or burnout, especially when workers are expected home for holiday celebrations. If you do need your crew to work extra during this season, consider offering holiday bonuses and/or flexible hours to boost morale and keep workers productive. In today’s labor shortage, you can’t afford not to.
  1. Communicate your holiday schedule.

    Communication is always key, but it’s especially important when communicating expectations around holiday work. Plan what days you’re giving your crew off. Is it just Thanksgiving or also the Friday after? Is Christmas Eve a half day, a full day, or completely off? If you want to give your crews a break, but also want to keep that productivity on high, some companies find it helpful to hire a dedicated holiday team, often filled with out-of-state workers who are already planning on spending the holidays away from home. While these workers often expect higher pay to make up for spending the season away from their families, they are also expecting to work the hours that your current crews want off, and can be key to finishing projects by their expected deadline. See what Steadfast has available by contacting us here. 
  1. Don’t schedule new or complicated projects.

    With national staffing and supply shortages everywhere, you should expect holiday projects to take even longer than usual. To avoid disappointing clients, focus on completing current projects first. If you’re able to take on something new, limit it to projects your crew is already familiar with. Managing projects on the frontside can keep both clients and operators happy during the holiday season. 

Managing projects during the holidays requires some extra thought, but with these tips and proper planning, it’s sure to be your best season yet. And don’t forget that Steadfast Entities is here to help. Whether it’s finding staff for the holidays, equipment rentals to finish that project on time, or getting the key products to keep your site running at maximum efficiency, we’re here to help. 

Contact us today to see how we can help keep your holidays (and your worksite) bright! 

Doing More with Less: Facing the Labor & Supply Shortage

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As projects and funding increase, labor and supplies still remain at an all-time low. Expectations have also returned to pre-pandemic levels, but construction leaders are still struggling with limited resources and project delays. 

To manage this tight situation we’re facing, construction leaders must better manage their assets to deliver on projects despite fewer workers and more expensive or unavailable materials. 

Here are some ways you can do more with less:

Technology

Harnessing the right construction technology could be your saving grace. The right software can help you bid and build better project teams, track data to improve workflow, cut down on costs, and improve teamwork and resource allocation across projects. 

When staffing options are limited, technology can also increase the candidate pool and improve safety conditions. One great example of this is using remote controlled excavators. 

Watch this recorded webinar to learn more about how you can best use technology. 

Renting

When choosing the right equipment or staffing the right operators, going with a rental service like Steadfast ensures you’re perfectly matched with what you need. 

Don’t buy equipment that sits in a warehouse, unproductive, after the project scope changes or you can’t afford a repair. By renting, you’ll get help identifying the right equipment and operator on the front side, and then be able to use them efficiently only where they’re needed.

Renting saves time, money, and energy, allowing you to do more with less. 

Relationships 

There’s a reason that word of mouth is king in the construction industry: personal connections and project teams are the backbone of this field. Especially in these difficult times of labor and supply shortages, establishing strong relationships with other vendors, clients, and your employees could be the answer to your long-term success. 

Communicate effectively, offer a reasonable level of transparency, and show that you care. Explore new opportunities for staffing, follow through on vendor promises, and maintain integrity in your work. These efforts will translate to strong community ties that will support you through difficult times. 

Whatever your struggle, the construction industry is here for you! Explore construction articles online or email us at info@steadfastentities.com for more information about our rental and staffing services. 

The 5 Biggest Construction Cyber Risks

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October is cybersecurity month, so we’re spotlighting the risks construction companies are now facing and how you can prevent them! 

While this hasn’t always been the top concern for construction leaders, cybersecurity is quickly rising in the ranks as more and more construction firms are targeted in malware and ransomware attacks.

Why is construction a target? 

Construction data doesn’t include the same amount of compromising client information as data from a bank might. While this seems like a good thing at first, it also means there are significantly fewer regulations around privacy and data security in the construction industry. 

At the same time, technology is exploding with new possibilities for the future of construction. Without these important security regulations in place, however, these new technologies present a big risk to an enterprising construction tech company.

What are the 5 biggest risks?

  1. Phishing is when someone uses a fake email address, posing as someone trusted, to try to get information from your organization. Rushed employees might overlook the red flags and provide them what they need, compromising your organization. 
  1. Domain imposters purchase domain names similar to your own or to a trusted partner, then email from them. Even if it’s someone you don’t recognize, the domain name creates a false sense of trust. 
  1. Password guessing via computers can also be surprisingly easy, allowing a hacker access to a legitimate employee’s account. From there, a hacker can send emails or access sensitive information.
  1. Ransomware is the scariest of the bunch. After gaining access to your construction company’s system (possibly using one of the methods above), the hacker will block access and demand a ransom for operations to resume. 
  1. Fraudulent wire transfers can also devastate a company. Using one of the above methods along with social engineering (manipulating people into doing what you want), an unsuspecting employee could transfer money to a hacker, all while thinking they were doing their job to keep the company running smoothly.

How do I protect my company?

You’re probably already very familiar with locking and securing your physical equipment. So now you need to learn how to be just as vigilant with your data. 

  • Learn about cybersecurity (by reading articles like this!) and stay on top of the latest hacking methods. 
  • Teach yourself and your staff to recognize suspicious domains and email addresses. Nothing is so urgent that you can’t double-check the sender’s request! 
  • Create strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
  • Set up cybersecurity software, like email spam filters and malware protection.
  • Keep backups of all your data so you won’t be vulnerable to ransomware. 
  • Consider cybersecurity insurance or a third-party cybersecurity company. 

Some of these protections can be set up in just minutes! Protecting yourself and your business is easy when you get in the habit of good security. Explore cybersecurity more at Cox Blue.

Remote Control Excavation

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The remote control capabilities for heavy equipment have never been so exciting!

Big equipment brands like Caterpillar are rolling out advanced, effective remote options that will protect operators from hazardous conditions and save money on construction jobs. 

The latest in Caterpillar’s lineup, Cat Command for Excavating allows operators to safely and remotely manage excavation projects. This new option is available as a line-of-sight, handheld control or as a 100% remote, “virtual” operation. 

The line-of-sight handheld console is portable, reaching distances of up to 437 yards away. This option is more flexible for quickly-changing environments and doesn’t require additional infrastructure. The other Cat Command option is a full Command station that simulates the machine cab interior and allows the operator to control the machine from a seated, off-site position. The Command station can be nearby the worksite or thousands of miles away.

“Scalable technologies built to flexibly meet customer needs, Cat Command helps to enhance safety and increase productivity for a variety of applications. Remote control provides full machine maneuverability from a safe distance when working in potentially hazardous environments.”

Caterpillar

The Cat Command system allows operators to feel the same machine response as if they were operating the machine directly, allowing for almost instantaneous reaction times and smooth motion. In addition, technologies like this serve to…

  • Reduce hazards
  • Prevent injuries
  • Reduce operator fatigue
  • Reduce mistakes
  • Save money by avoiding repairs, injuries, and project delays
  • Increase the labor pool for construction projects

This new offering joins Caterpillar’s other semi-autonomous technologies previously available for wheel loaders, dozers, and compactors. As big brands like Caterpillar continue to increase their tech-forward options, worksites will become safer, more efficient, and more fun!

Photos from ForConstructionPros.com

Floor Load for Dummies

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Construction often requires complex maneuvering in tight spaces or over existing structures that can’t be damaged. In these cases, operators are responsible for effectively completing projects while using various pieces of heavy equipment, yet without damaging the surrounding floors, walls, or ceilings. Sounds impossible, but it’s no magic act – it’s structural engineering at work!

What is floor load?

Floor load is the maximum weight a floor can safely carry, if evenly distributed. It’s also called ground pressure. At its most basic level, the goal is to find the weight capacity of the floor and compare it to the weight of the heavy equipment, called “machine load.”  

First, let’s look at the weight capacity of the floor itself.

Dead vs. Live

Dead load is the weight a floor must always support, like walls, wood-frame, carpeting, ceilings, and other permanent fixtures. Live loads are the variable, moving weights a floor must support, including people, machines, or furnishings. 

Building codes tell us the minimum live loads a structure must support, and how much the floor may bend in order to absorb the weight. As with any material, there’s a maximum pressure the floor will be able to handle before it breaks. 

Machine Load

Machine load is going to add to the live weight on a floor. That’s just how much the machine weighs, right? Not quite. According to For Construction Pros, this is how you get machine load:

(empty machine weight + max occupied platform capacity)
_____________________________________________
(chassis length x chassis width)

This math takes into account that the machine’s weight isn’t evenly distributed, so there’s more pressure in a smaller area. That tells us the true amount of weight the floor will have to support in that particular area. This is measured in pounds per square foot, or PSF.

Below you’ll see examples of machine load calculated based on different brands, provided by Hy-Brid Lifts. 

Finding Floor Load

Once you have your true machine load weight and total floor load capacity, you can clearly see whether you’re able to use a machine in a space. Understanding these floor load basics is important to understanding the many components of safe and effective heavy equipment operation! 

This information is meant as a general FYI, allowing operators to understand their equipment and the spaces within which they operate. If a project requires accurate floor load computations, please refer to a structural engineer who can account for joist load capacity and the structural properties of building materials.  

Environmentally Friendly Construction: It’s Easier Than You Think

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When you think of a construction project, you don’t always picture green trees and eco-friendly landscapes. Yet construction plays a big part in how we interact with the world and the impact we have on it. Construction projects develop the infrastructure of the future. 

As technology improves and more countries buy into environmentally-friendly industry, construction gains new opportunities for better results and safer worksites. From biophilic designs to research into more sustainable (and more effective!) construction materials, construction leaders have the opportunity to make big, positive changes in their projects – and their bottom line! 

AGC Report

Recently, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) released a 16-page report on the government’s incentives and investment into modernized infrastructure projects that incorporate key sustainability elements, like reducing waste, water usage, and energy consumption. The report discussed the many tax incentives and ways that modernized construction will be supported as we move into the future. 

The AGC also shared several green strategy ideas in the report, including:

  • Solar-powered trailers
  • Energy-efficient lighting
  • Carpooling
  • Anti-idling policies
  • Hybrid vehicles
  • Engine retrofits
  • Jobsite recycling 
  • Water conservation
  • Paperless administration
  • Renewable energy credits
  • Green-certified office spaces

While these sustainability enhancements might seem like more trouble or money than they’re worth, streamlining operations and improving materials can actually save money and dramatically improve a company’s long-term viability.  

One notable example is a company that instituted an anti-idling policy “to reduce fuel consumption, emissions, noise pollution and needless engine wear and tear.” By instituting this simple policy, the company saved more than $800,000 on just one project.

You Can Make an Impact

Whether you’re a CEO, a project manager, or an operating engineer, there are ways you can improve your impact on the environment at work. Some easy ways to get started include:

  • Source sustainable and/or prefabricated materials
  • Go paperless whenever possible
  • Recycle materials when safe to do so
  • Get the latest in energy-efficient equipment
  • Track utilities and energy consumption
  • Promote ridesharing, hybrid vehicles, and anti-idling policies

You can also share this article on your social media, tell your team about some of the ideas, or start brainstorming ideas that would work best for you. Together we can set up a better tomorrow for us all!

Steadfast is committed to sourcing modern, environmentally-friendly equipment and operators trained in sustainable operation. Give us a call to rent equipment or staff your next job: 1-855-449-0777.