It’s no secret that Canada’s construction sector is facing a skills shortage. The baby boomers are retiring, and there are fewer people entering the industry. Old news, right? Well, don’t click to the next page yet. There’s another pressing matter that…
Risk allocation under cost-plus contracts is not always well understood by the parties who enter into them. Contractors sometimes believe they are entitled to payment for all costs incurred to perform the work, and owners sometimes believe a contractor is…
When people ask “is there an app for that?” the odds these days are pretty good that the answer will be “yes”. Even in construction, which is not known for being on the leading edge of IT, there are apps…
As some of you may be aware, the firm I work for (Aon) has more than 2,500 construction clients, and 13 of the top 15 Canadian contractors as clients. We have also acted as risk advisor and broker to a…
The new Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw, Sask., serves the Five Hills Health Region, an area containing 54,000 people in the south-central portion of the province. Open since late 2015, the facility is considered the first…
Builders’ Risk (or Course of Construction) insurance policies are commonplace on construction projects. Although they provide coverage for physical loss or damage to ongoing construction works, these policies typically include a “defects” exclusion for faulty or defective workmanship, materials or…
No matter where I go these days it seems like every economy, both governments and corporations, are toying with new ways to design, build and operate their physical assets. The over-arching trend behind this long-term capital concept is Asset Management.…
One of the most ubiquitous requirements for contractors in all sectors of the industry is fulfilling their duty to keep workers safe. The issues are widely publicized, and training resources and safety tools are readily available. Maintaining a comprehensive safety…
To be held January 17 to 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, World of Concrete will spotlight innovative products, construction machinery, safety training courses and new technologies designed to help grow your business. Here is a sneak peek of…
The next few months will see new concrete anchoring product releases and new U.S. regulations about using such products. Power tool companies that sell concrete anchoring solutions will be displaying their wares at World of Concrete, scheduled January 17 –…
The morning after Donald Trump was elected 45th president of the United States, my 10-year-old son, Ben, staggered sleepily out of his room with a concerned look on his face. He wanted to know if this meant there was going…
With trucks as popular as they are, automakers can’t afford to stand still. Several models undergo everything from a mild refresh to a complete makeover for 2017. For those who need ultimate workhorses, Ford completely updates its Super Duty, while…
The crystal ball for Canadian construction next year was already cloudy before Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States. That one event has thrown a lot of forecasts into the trash bin. It’s difficult to…
Last January, 38-year-old Diane Logan did what she describes as a complete 180. After 10 years as a secretary, she traded in her office wear, layered up in two pairs of long johns, a parka and quilt-lined hardhat and headed out…
The rise of automated vehicles (AVs) will create opportunities for infrastructure across Canada but project selection must be rigorous as we cope with two overlapping and competing streams of automation. The first stream: Semi-automated vehicles (2020-2035) will require a driver…
I have spent a lot of time mining and developing data recently. It seems the insurance sector has the richest repository of failure data in the world, and given the growing demand for failure data quants, I had no choice but…
Not long ago, the most common IT job description was network administrator. The work involved a lot of repetitive tasks: update user profiles, manage email capacity and security, apply Microsoft Office patches, stage new PCs; and of course, deal with…
Contractors who understand the value and versatility of compact machines, have a lot to be excited about. Power, versatility and fuel efficiency continue to be key features. But comfort, ease of use and equipment that requires less maintenance, are also…
What have been the biggest design trends in vocational trucks in recent years? John Felder, product marketing manager for Volvo Trucks, headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., offers a few suggestions. Felder cites new engine exhaust emission devices, growth in telematics, safety…
For only the second time in history, the suspended spans of a bridge are being replaced while keeping the bridge open to traffic. The first; was the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, and the second is Halifax’s own Macdonald Bridge.…
