 President's Corner
Dear ABC Member;
First and foremost I want to congratulate and thank you and the rest of the ABC members for helping achieve a very successful legislative session on a variety of industry specific issues. When we put out a legislative alert for calls and letters, you and others came through with hundreds of contacts to legislators. When we asked for help testifying, members came and delivered. Those efforts helped pass good legislation and ultimately stopped some bad legislation. You scored victories in prevailing wage, lien law and licensing changes in Oregon.
Unfortunately, it has become all to clear that business interests are not getting a fair shake in the Oregon legislature. Too many legislators don't care that taxes kill jobs and regulations scare away business. ABC staff and members are working hard but we are going to have to step up our efforts to succeed in the broader business issues in the coming year.
As ABC members, you should know we are a well-established group with a history of pushing intelligent solutions. You should also know that you are all on the front lines now. Our businesses are getting hit from every direction, yet state leaders are increasingly inaccessible and uninterested in supporting the Oregon business community. A year ago we were already talking about our need to share in the effort to get our issues heard and we succeeded in our industry issues. But now the case is only more evident that we have to fight in the broader issues. By supporting and participating in ABC you will be investing in your business's future.
If we don't like higher taxes and more regulation, we are all going to have to do something. It all comes down to the amount of effort we put in. So, give ABC and give yourself the next eighteen months of effort. We need members to be mindful of participating at a heightened level. We need you to attend industry events, contact legislators, and support pro-business candidates.
Best Regards,
John Killin
In the legislative flyer you will see a summary of just a few of the many issues we fought for and against this legislative session. Take a read, it will be enlightening as to just how hard special interests and legislators are working against you. |
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2009 ABC Golf Tournament 
Registration for the 2009 ABC Golf Tournament is now open. Join us August 19, 2009 7:30am at Langdon Farms for a day of fun, prizes and friendly competition.
For more information on sponsorship/registration contact: Laurie Kendall - 503.726.5440, lkendall@abcpnw.org
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"You Cannot Legislate the Poor into Freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
~ Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 |
Call for Contractors Involved in LEED Projects
The ABC green Council is calling for any contractor members involved in LEED projects. If you are involved in a LEED Project please contatc Cindy Regier, cregier@abcpnw.org |
The Ninth Annual CFMA Pitch N' Putt Golf Tournament is September 10, 2009
The tournament will be at Eagle Landing Golf Course. Proceeds go to the CFMA Portland Chapter. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, dinner, gifts and prizes. If you don't have a foursome, register individually and we will assemble a team for you.
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Incase You Missed it: ABC Unveils New Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI)
Data points to future trends in construction; May 2009 construction backlog rises to 6.3 months
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 22, 2009) - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released its inaugural Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI), a forward-looking measurement reflecting the amount of work to be performed by contractors in the months ahead.
The CBI in the nation's nonresidential construction industry rebounded in May to 6.3 months, up from 6.2 months in April, but still down by roughly 0.8 months since November 2008, when ABC began collecting data. During the past seven months, nonresidential backlog is down by an average of 24 days.
This new, national economic data set is the only reliable leading economic indicator offering this level of specificity focused on the U.S. commercial and institutional, industrial, and infrastructure construction industries. ABC will compile this data on an ongoing basis, releasing the latest CBI every other month to track industry trends.
"Commercial and industrial construction is a major part of the American economy. We have developed this new, innovative measurement not only to track the level of commercial and industrial construction activity, but also to look into the future for signs of recovery," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. "Significantly, we are able to track backlog by region as well as by industry sector and company revenue to paint a complete picture of this critical economic segment on an ongoing basis."
"CBI rose in each of the three industry segments that ABC monitors, but the increase in work under contract was particularly profound in the infrastructure category, an indication that the stimulus package passed in February is beginning to have a material impact on the industry's near-term prospects. An increasing CBI is also consistent with the notion of broader economic stabilization," said Basu.
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2009 ABC-PNW "Events-at-a-Glance" Calendar Available
Want to check out what's coming down the road at ABC this year? You can view and download our Events Calendar now. Dates are subject to change, so be sure to check our website for updates!
Visit our Newsroom to view the calendar.
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| Upcoming Events |
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August 12- CPR Recertification - Sunbelt Rentals, 4-6:00pm
August 19- Annual Golf Tournament - Langdon Farms, 7:30am
September
September 12 CPR First Aid Class - Sunbelt Rentals, 8am-1:30pm
September 16 Forklift Recertification - Sunbelt Rentals, 4pm-6pm
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Quick Links
STEP Program Application - http://www.abcpnw.org/Safety/STEP.aspx
More about ABC at -
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The ABC Green Council
Is having their next meeting
August 12 at 3:00pm.
They're currently developing events and educational seminars.
If you would like to attend please come by our offices at
3:00pm on the 12th.
ABC PNW
8625 SW Cascade Ave.
Suite 100
Beaverton, OR 97008
If you would like more information on the ABC Green Council please contact Cindy Regier: cregier@abcpnw.org or visit our website www.abcpnw.org and click on the green council link.
Safety Tips Brought to You By
These safety tips will help you apply general material-handling rules for your employees.
To use these tips in your safety meetings, just follow these three simple steps:
1. Identify a task involving material handling (lifting, pushing, carrying, setting down, etc.).
2. Break the task down into its most basic steps. What does the worker do?
(Example: lift a case from a truck bed, then turn and carry it inside a building and set it down.)
3. Next, apply the appropriate lifting principles as shown below:
Pre-Lift Tips
· Determine the weight of the load to be lifted or carried.
· Are you able to do it alone? Will you need help or mechanical assistance?
· Is the size/shape of the load any problem?
· Will you have to turn/change direction while carrying it?
· Is your route clear of obstructions and slip, trip or fall hazards?
Tips When Carrying
· Look ahead to ensure the way is clear.
· Set the load down if it gets too heavy or unstable.
· Avoid stairs if possible. If not, use a banister or wall to help you maintain balance.
· Have someone open doors, gates and such for you.
· Keep your shoulders, hips and feet pointing the same direction.
· Never twist at the waist.
Lifting From a Shelf, Desk and Such
· Pull the load close to your body and test it for weight.
· Shift its weight to your legs by keeping the load close.
· Avoid reaching and lifting at the same time.
Setting Loads Down
· Bend your knees, not your waist.
· First set down the corner/edge closest to you; don't put your fingers under the load.
Moving Carts, Hanging Loads
· Remember to push, not pull, whenever possible.
· Position the load so your legs supply the force.
· Use hands and arms for controlling and directing the load.
· Keep hands and fingers inside the load whenever possible.
· Watch for pinch or shear points on carts, dollies and hoists.
If you would like more information or have safety-related questions, contact your local Liberty Northwest
loss prevention consultant or call our loss prevention consulting center at 866-761-2141.
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