January-February Events at a Glance

January 17th - Mobile Section, AGC Board of Directors Meeting
                            11:30 A.M. at the Country Club of Mobile

January 17th - MCRBA-AGC Joint Dinner Meeting
                            5:30 P.M. Social - 6:00 P.M. - Dinner
                            Guest Speaker - Troy Wayman -
                            Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
                            at Country Club of Mobile
  
January 31st - Deadline to Submit Mobile Section Safety Awards Application
                            Download Safety Awards Application

February 7th - February Lunch & Learn - 11:30 A.M. at the AGC Office
                           "Choosing the Right Doctor for Workers Comp Claims - Dr. Terry Taylor
                             and " How Physical Therapists Can Help with a Comp Claim" -                             Richard  Sullivan - Industrial Wellness Rehab

February 9^th – YCF Mardi Gras Family Night
                        5:30 – 7:00 P.M. - Athelston Club – Downtown Mobile
                                         To view the flyer, please click here

February 16, 2012 - Country Club of Mobile - 11:30 A.M.
                            Mobile Section, AGC Construction Safety Excellence Awards Luncheon

Call for Sponsorships –
Mobile Section, AGC Spring Golf Tournament
                                 Thursday, April 5^th
                                           Heron Lakes Country Club  
                                                        Click here to view Sponsorship Form.

                                     

City of Mobile Unveiled New City Planning and Permitting Web Portal January 12th during Lunch & Learn

Members of AGC, MCRBA, Mobile Area Association of Realtors, Home Builders Association, and  AIA were invited to attend a Lunch & Learn  January 12^th at 11:30 A.M. at the Realtors office as  John Strope with Dogwood Productions and Bill Harkins, CitiSmart coordinator provided an overview of the City’s new “web-portal” that consolidates information regarding Planning and Permitting in the City. 

For those of you unable to attend the meeting, Bill Harkins has provided a brief recap....

"After years of collaboration between City Departments, Dogwood Productions and local development professionals, the City of Mobile is proud to announce its Building and Land Development Center
(aka Web Portal).      http://www.cityofmobile.org/dev_center.php

This is the City's streamlined spot for development construction projects. The City has put this in place because Mayor Jones is committed to providing a streamlined development process, from concept to certificate of occupancy. It will help citizens and professionals with zoning, plan review, building permits, construction and inspection for both residential and commercial projects.   It is designed to assist all who desire to build in the City find the answers needed to ensure their project is accomplished within current regulations and professional standards. Among the categories found on the site are lists of permits required, differences between residential and commercial building, useful forms and applications, a contact directory of City Staff involved in the planning and permitting processes and a frequently asked questions section.  This site draws together information found on City Department websites that provide guidance and regulation for construction in the City.  All who use the site are encouraged to contact Bill Harkins, CitiSmart Coordinator, with any suggestions for additional improvement.  It is anticipated that in mid 2012, there will be a meeting between City Staff and design professionals with the intention of reviewing the Web Portal and develop a plan to further enhance it."
Appreciation is extended to the Mobile Area Association of Realtors for sponsoring lunch and allowing our groups to meet at their office. 

Post your OSHA 300 Summary Log by February 1st

Mobile Section, AGC Safety Committee Chairman Buzzy Riis Reminds AGC members
to Post  OSHA 300 Summary Forms by February 1^st and that they must remain posted until April 30, 2012!  

The OSHA posting must be in a "conspicuous place or places where notices to employees are customarily posted."   When reviewing your logs for this summary, it is always a good idea to double check each entry to insure that you have adequate detail on the actual OSHA 300 log particularly under column "F" identifying with specificity the injury involved.  Also, insure that your OSHA 300 log has been certified by the appropriate representative of your company.

Buzzy also reminds you that the information Summarized on your OSHA 300 is much of the same information that AGC asks for in the Construction Safety Excellence Awards Application.  Buzzy encourages you to use that information and take the time to nominate your firm for an AGC Safety Award.  The deadline to submit your application is January 31st.

 If you have questions regarding these record keeping requirements, or the AGC Safety Excellence Awards feel free to contact  Buzzy Riis   at Hand Arendall, LLC     251-694 6337. 
www.handarendall.com                        

For more detailed OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements, please click here.

Enter Your Firm’s Safety Accomplishments in Mobile Section’s Construction Safety Excellence Awards Program

Nominate Your Firm for a Prestigious Safety Award Today!  Don't miss out on the opportunity to nominate your firm's excellent safety record in the 10th Annual Mobile Section, Alabama AGC Construction Safety Excellence Awards Program. Deadline to submit your nomination/application form to Charlotte Kopf at Mobile Section, AGC is January 31, 2012.    Winners will be recognized at the 10th Annual Safety Awards Luncheon on February 16th at the Country Club of Mobile.  Download Safety Awards Application                            Appreciation is extended to our sponsors:                                                                                                                     US DOT Issues Final Rule Restricting Use of Hand-Held Mobile Telephones by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers beginning January 3, 2012 US DOT has issued a final rule that restricts the use of hand-held mobile telephones by interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers (CMV) and interstate hazmat drivers beginning January 3, 2012. The rule does not restrict or prohibit the use of hands free devices.  The rule does not currently apply to CMV drivers that do not cross state lines; however, states are required to adopt the requirements within three years as a condition for continuing to receive Federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance grants.  The final rule prohibits CMV drivers from holding, dialing, or reaching for a hand-held cellular phone, including push to talk functions.  The definition of dialing allows the driver to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button on a mobile telephone or on a headset. The definition of reaching requires that the hands free device be in “close proximity” to the driver.  CMV drivers who are convicted of a hand-held cell violation twice within a three year period will be disqualified from driving for 60 days. Drivers convicted of a third violation within three years, will be disqualified from driving for 120 days. Violations are also subject federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 per violation. Motor carriers (employers) that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while operating a CMV face a maximum civil penalty of $11,000 per violation. Employers are responsible for the action of their drivers regardless of whether or not such actions are sanctioned.

Bagby & Russell Hosts 2012 Wounded Warrior Hunt

 Bagby & Russell Electric will be hosting their 2^nd Annual Wounded Warrior Hunting Trip January 13^th through 16^th. This year they are anticipating 4 hunters – one of which is confined to a wheelchair, while another is blind due to injuries sustained during their service in the armed services while  protecting our country.

AGC applauds Bagby & Russell for their efforts to provide this experience as an expression of  thanks
to these young men for their sacrifices for our Country.

Bagby & Russell understands that times are tough for everyone, but any donation, of any size would be appreciated to help provide a first class experience for these soldiers.  If you would like to show your appreciation  for the sacrifices they have made for all of us.  Please send financial donations to:    
                       WWIA c/o Richard Russell
                       5500 Plantation Rd
                        Theodore, AL  36582

 For more information about the Wounded Warriors in Action, please visit:  www.woundedwarriorsinaction.org.

Or contact Ritchie Russell at 344-5987 or email:  ritchie@bagrus.com
To view flyer please click here.

REMINDER: Effective Date of Alabama’s Immigration Law Quickly Approaching

Because Alabama’s Immigration Law remains relatively intact amidst the numerous legal challenges against it, employers should be aware that all of the remaining provisions affecting employers will take effect on April 1, 2012. As such, employers should diligently continue their efforts in signing up for E-Verify. Specifically, beginning April 1, 2012, every employer must use the E-Verify Program to verify the employment eligibility of any employee hired.  After that date, an employer found to have knowingly or intentionally hired an unauthorized alien will be subject to business license suspension and/or revocation and a three-year probationary period throughout the State.

 For more information click here to view Starnes Davis Florie LLP Labor & Employment Bulletin dated December 2011 or visit  www.starneslaw.com

Reminder:  NLRB Posting Requirements Delayed Again New date – April 30, 2012

 The National Labor Relations Board has again decided to postpone the effective date of its employee rights notice-posting rule. The implementation date has been changed from January 31, 2012 to April 30, 2012. This time, the Board postponed the effective date at the request of the federal court in Washington, DC that is currently hearing a legal challenge regarding the rule. Specifically, the Board’s ruling states that the postponing of the rule will facilitate the resolution of all of the legal challenges that have been filed with respect to the rule.  As has been previously reported, the notices that must be posted in the workplace by this new April 30, 2012 deadline are available on the Board’s website, www.nlrb.gov, and can also be obtained by contacting the Board at its headquarters or its regional, sub-regional, or resident offices.

For more information click here to view Starnes Davis Florie LLP Labor & Employment  Bulletin dated December 2011 or visit  www.starneslaw.com