The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has announced the winners of the 2019 Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards, who were honored at a Gala event during the Institute’s Concrete Convention & Exposition. The highest honor was presented to King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, located in Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Details here. 

Under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, president of the Royal Scientific Society, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the Jordan Concrete Association, in collaboration with the Royal Scientific Society and Jordan Engineers Association, have announced the ACI Concrete Conference on Materials & Design will be held November, 17-18, 2019, in Amman, Jordan. Details here. 

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) released a joint statement today calling on American and European government leaders to negotiate towards a friendlier trade environment. After the recent World Trade Organization ruling on Airbus, the United States announced tariffs on $7.5 million of European goods, including certain types of construction equipment, and the European Union may do the same. Details here. 

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced that it has cited and fined three companies more than $100,000 for safety violations in connection with the fatal collapse of a tower crane that was being dismantled in Seattle April 27, 2019.

L&I's nearly 6-month investigation determined that the crane collapse was caused by the companies not following the manufacturer's procedures for dismantling the structure, including prematurely removing nearly all of the pins and sleeves that helped hold the crane together. With the pins removed, the tower was significantly weakened, making it susceptible to the 45-plus mph wind gust that toppled it. When the pins are in place, tower cranes can withstand much stronger gusts. Details here.