Total construction starts rose 8 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.12 trillion.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced plans to hold an online meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health on Jan. 23, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. EST.

Total construction spending decreased by 0.3 percent for the month of October, with downturns in homebuilding and most major nonresidential categories, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released Dec. 1 of federal spending data. Association officials noted contractors are struggling to complete projects as the number of open positions at the end of October topped hires in the month.

Honeywell announced its Baton Rouge, Louisiana, facility has doubled production capacity of Honeywell Solstice ze (HFO-1234ze), an ultra-low-global-warming-potential and energy-efficient solution compared to other current technologies. Solstice ze is used in foam insulation, as an aerosol propellant, and in refrigeration and air conditioning applications.

Westlake Royal Building Products announced that it has acquired Palight Trimboard from its long-standing partner Palram Americas. Through the acquisition of Palight Trimboard product lines, Westlake Royal will expand its portfolio of brands offered under Westlake Royal Trim & Mouldings Solutions, which provides the finishing touch for the interior and exterior of a home.

The American Concrete Institute, through the work of ACI Committee 440, has released ACI CODE-440.11-22: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars.

The stucco market is evaluated by Construction Activity (New and Renovation Construction), Product (Traditional Three-coat Stucco, EIFS and Newer-one Coat Stucco), Insulation Type (Insulated Siding and Non-insulated Siding) and End Use (Residential and Nonresidential) in a report published by Allied Market Research, titled “Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026.”

KAI is pleased to share the promotion of H. John Vetter II, PE to Principal - Electrical Engineering at its Dallas-Fort Worth office. KAI hired Vetter in September 2021 to the new position of National Electrical Engineering Subject Matter Expert.

United States District Judge Brian J. Davis sentenced Oscar Molina-Avila to four years and four months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States for the purpose of impeding the lawful functions of the Internal Revenue Service, according to the U.S. DOJ.

Construction employment increased in 268, or 75 percent, of 358 metro areas between October 2021 and October 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted, however, that job vacancies outpaced hiring, as construction firms struggle to find enough qualified workers to hire.