Why Is Erosion and Sediment Control Important?
Erosion is a natural process that involves the transportation of sediment from one location to another by wind or water. Human-driven processes such as construction can exacerbate the rate of erosion, impacting the surrounding ecosystems. Implementing an Erosion and...
NYSDEC Issues Updated Stormwater Management Design Manual
On July 31, 2024, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) issued an updated Stormwater Management Design Manual. The manual outlines standards to be used by environmental professionals in the design of Stormwater Management Practices...
New York Releases Draft SPDES Construction General Permit (GP-0-25-001) for Public Comment
The State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) is a permit program instituted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to regulate pollutant discharges into water bodies. SPDES Construction General Permits (CGPs) specifically...
Construction Safety Week: Spotlight on Fall Protection
Falls are repeatedly among the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. To help reduce the number of fall-related incidents, using fall protection when working at elevated heights has become a federal requirement for employees. A person without...
Construction Safety Week: May 6–10, 2024
Next week is Construction Safety Week. This event was started in 2014 with the purpose of encouraging construction companies to reflect on and recommit to their safety practices. The ultimate goal is zero accidents or incidents on every job site. The theme of this...
Diesel Not Recommended as a Solvent
People often ask if they can use diesel fuel (diesel) as a solvent or cleaner. The answer is unequivocally, no! Using diesel as a solvent to clean off asphalt and tar from trucks and equipment has long been a practice on construction job sites. It is even something...
What Role Do Technical Specifications Play in Construction?
Technical specifications are a crucial element of construction preplanning and contain explicit, comprehensive details regarding the proper execution of a given project. Carefully written technical specifications establish quality control standards for a project and...
What Is a Community Air Monitoring Program?
Community Air Monitoring Programs (CAMPs) are commonly required at construction, demolition, and other sites where volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust, or other harmful airborne substances can potentially be released into the air. The monitoring of dust, vapors,...
Taking the Leap from Subcontractor to Prime Contractor
Congratulations, you’ve landed a large contract as a prime contractor with a prestigious government agency. This work is guaranteed to put your firm “on the map” and propel the company to greatness. However, you also know that there are gaps in your company’s...
Initial Project Planning, Due Diligence, and “Will Serve” Letters
Proper planning at the outset of a project, well before construction begins, is vital to its success. The first step in the design process is to understand the client’s objectives for the project, to identify their wants and needs, and to perform a detailed evaluation...