Masonry Magazine February 2008 Page. 56
News
MCFA has achieved ISO 14001 certification, demonstrating its commitment to environmental objectives and measurable targets aimed at reducing harmful environmental effects. ISO 14001 outlines internationally accepted specifications for environmental management systems. To obtain this certification, MCFA illustrated its continuous efforts to improve policies and procedures affecting the environment. The company also holds ISO 9001:2000 certification.
Goodwin Promoted to Scientist V
Fred Goodwin has been promoted to Scientist V within the Building Systems business of BASF Construction Chemicals. In this role, Goodwin will initiate and manage programs of industry leadership value and provide expertise in support of strategic market development and corporate technology leadership. He brings over 25 years of industry experience and knowledge to the position as an expert in the concrete construction and repair industry.
SOA Impacts Agencies, Contractors
The impacts of service-oriented architecture (SOA) have been mixed to date, but contractors should prepare for significant long-term effects and more SOA-related RFPs, according to a recent report from the INPUT Executive Program (IEP). SOA may change agencies' acquisition models, while also requiring new contractor sales approaches and removal of some important differentiators formerly enjoyed by technology providers.
The incremental implementations of SOA have caused some to question whether any "transformation" in government as a result of SOA will actually occur. IEP's report finds, however, that agencies not only are making sense of what SOA means and what it can achieve, but also they are looking for ways to implement SOA organically. As a result, contractors should expect continued growth in the SOA-related market, but not necessarily in large, highly visible programs.
NIOSH Guide Helps Avoid Injuries
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a new publication, "Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers," describing simple ways to prevent painful and often disabling musculoskeletal injuries in the construction industry. The guide suggests a range of practical interventions to prevent common occupational injuries from handling heavy or awkward loads, making repetitive movements, and other physical demands of construction work. All of the interventions have been used on actual construction work sites.