Effective communication remains one of the biggest challenges on construction projects. With teams spread across trailers, field offices, equipment yards, and active job sites, messages get lost, decisions get delayed, and productivity suffers. While the industry has long relied on phone calls, walkie-talkies, and face-to-face conversations, a growing number of contractors are turning to modern […]
In November 2016, construction crews in Turkey responded to an unusual call that had nothing to do with building or demolition. A massive bear had become trapped in an underground cesspit on a chicken farm, unable to escape on its own. The situation called for specialized heavy equipment and skilled operation to free the animal
In 1984, the world looked fundamentally different from a satellite perspective. Ronald Reagan occupied the White House, the Detroit Tigers had just won the World Series, and most major cities bore little resemblance to the sprawling metropolitan hubs we recognize today. Google changed the way we observe this transformation when it released timelapse videos covering
The construction industry has historically been slow to embrace new technology, often relying on tried-and-tested manual methods even as other sectors rapidly digitized. However, JBKnowledge’s 5th Annual Construction Technology Report, which gathered responses from over 2,600 industry professionals, reveals a sector that is finally turning the corner. The survey, which grew from just 452 participants
Construction supervisors bear an immense responsibility for worker safety, a truth underscored by a tragic 2016 incident in New York that sent shockwaves through the industry. In that case, 22-year-old Carlos Moncayo lost his life when an unprotected trench collapsed at a worksite in Manhattan. The foreman on site, Wilmer Cueva of Sky Materials, was
Construction sites are serious places, filled with heavy machinery, safety protocols, and precise engineering. But occasionally, a spark of creativity reminds us that the industry can also embrace a sense of wonder. French artist Benedetto Bufalino created exactly such a moment with his Disco-Ball Cement Mixer, a concrete truck transformed into a rotating disco ball
The construction industry faced a troubling reversal in workplace safety during the mid-2010s. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released in late 2016 revealed that construction-related fatalities rose by more than 4 percent in 2015 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 937 deaths. This marked the highest fatality count for the sector since
Construction delays can stem from many sources. Weather, supply chain failures, labor shortages, and equipment breakdowns top most project managers’ lists. But in Iceland, an unexpected cause appears in project logs with surprising regularity: elves. Known locally as Huldufolk or “hidden people,” these mythical beings are taken seriously enough by a significant portion of the
Construction professionals have long accepted heavy, stiff boots as part of the trade. For generations, the standard has been thick leather, steel toes, and substantial weight in exchange for protection. But the industry is shifting as modern boot technology proves that safety and comfort do not have to be opposing goals. From advanced synthetic materials
The year 2016 marked a turning point for construction technology, with innovations emerging across materials science, power tools, safety equipment, and site automation. For decades the construction industry had moved slowly in adopting new technology, but a wave of startups and established manufacturers began flooding the market with practical solutions for real job site conditions.
