Winter can affect many areas of the country, leaving snow and ice on the ground and creating slippery conditions. Cold, ice, or snow cover does not stop utility crews from performing line work. The damage from ice and snowstorms increases the workload and urgency to finish repairs. It also brings in new crews, who work long hours, to help restore power and repair damage from broken poles, downed wires, and fallen trees. The following outlines what utility companies and their line crews must remember when it comes to operating in ice and snow.

Britlift is helping to solve a lifting challenge for the world’s largest direct air capture facility of its kind.

Climeworks is a global leader in carbon removal via direct air capture and storage (DAC+S). Its technology draws CO₂ from the air and captures it for storage underground. The Swiss company recently opened its second facility, Mammoth, based in Iceland. It installed a 35t capacity overhead crane inside Mammoth in order to move its proprietary filtration systems called collector containers. However, it needed a bespoke lifting frame to ensure that the valuable loads were lifted safely and precisely.

A highly destructive tree disease has been successfully identified by detection dogs in the UK as part of a “groundbreaking” project.

Six-year-old cocker spaniel x labrador, Ivor, detected Phytophthora ramorum, having been trained by Canine Assisted Pest Eradication in collaboration with Forest Research.

The deadly tree pathogen can be fatal to more than 150 species including larch, an important species for timber.

A variety of detection training techniques, including initial scent recognition, were used to train Ivor to distinguish Phytophthora ramorum from other Phytophthora species found in the same environments.

One of the most critical components to influence the productivity and the safety of the utility crew on an aerial device is the boom. The boom’s ability to elevate, rotate and position operators into place is the single biggest factor in getting operators from the ground to an aerial worksite. To help keep the boom working efficiently, inspections should be completed on a regular basis – especially daily. The following outlines tips to remember while inspecting a bucket truck boom prior to use.

Luxuary Bahamas-based hotel Goldwynn Resort & Residences has taken delivery of a Stafford STF 7022 TL tower crane from Stafford Tower Cranes. 

Due to the crane’s location right on the coast Stafford said it had to take into consideration high wind factors. Despite this the crane offers a maximum reach of 230 feet and is capable of lifting up to 5,340 lbs at the tip. Safety and reliability are top of our agenda, says Stafford Tower Cranes. 

A Link-Belt Cranes 100-ton HTC-86100 truck crane played a key role in placing this year’s National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., an event organized by the National Park Service.

The National Christmas Tree, a cherished American tradition for over a century, symbolizes unity and hope during the holiday season. According to the National Park Service, this year’s treee is a 35-foot Red Spruce from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia. 

There are more than 660,000 street trees in New York City, and many of them are dangerously dehydrated.

Local arborists said street trees — which are peed on by dogs, mostly ignored by humans and occasionally surrounded by litter — are suffering during the ongoing historic drought. While trees in city parks receive more attention from caretakers, the pin oaks, blackgums, silver lindens and other trees along sidewalks are rarely tended to, said Nina Browne, community field manager at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Storms can wreak havoc on trees, leading to broken limbs, uprooting, and other issues. If trees have fallen and are causing damage, we are ready to assist with emergency tree services!  But it’s best to be proactive and with proper anchoring techniques, you can help ensure a tree’s stability to reduce storm and hurricane tree damage. This guide covers why anchoring trees is important, methods to anchor them, and steps to follow for best results!

In the construction industry, cranes are indispensable for lifting and moving heavy loads. But while the base crane itself is crucial, the real potential lies in the mastery of crane accessories. Understanding which tools to use and when can dramatically improve the functionality and productivity of your lifting operations. Let’s explore some of the latest innovations in crane accessories that every contractor should know to elevate their lifting solutions.

With increased demand from infrastructure projects and a global shift towards renewable energy, the global crawler crane market continues to grow. This crane type’s high load capacities and long booms are proving useful for wind farm construction. Niamh Marriott reports.

Manufacturers that include HSC, Kobelco, Liebherr, Manitowoc, Sany, Tadano, XCMG and Zoomlion are leading the industry, offering cranes with high lifting capacities and versatile boom configurations. Their cranes are not only crucial for traditional construction and industrial applications but are also widely used in the wind energy sector as the world moves towards sustainable renewable energy.

Caring for holly plants is generally easy as long as you understand the conditions in which they grow best.  These handsome and varied plants range in height from upright trees of 60 feet to creeping plants 12 inches tall suitable for rock gardens. So there is a holly for almost every garden! Tolerating acid soil, hollies are good companion plants for rhododendrons.  They’re known for their brightly colored, red fruit, but some varieties showcase orange, yellow, black or even white berries. The fruits sometimes lasts six months or longer, making hollies ideal ornamentals.

Lineworkers face the ever-present danger of electrocution as they work on or near electrical components. It is important and absolutely necessary to follow your employer's work rules, ANSI NESC requirements, OSHA regulations and the equipment manufacturer's information to reduce the chance of serious injury or death.  

Electrocution occurs when a person’s body is a path for electric current. The body becomes a path by touching, or getting too close to, two objects at different potential (voltage). The voltage difference causes the current flow. You do not have to touch an object to be a path. The electric current can jump through the air if the distance, voltage, and weather conditions qualify. 

Scott Young serves as president of Region North America for Volvo Construction Equipment, based in Shippensburg, Pa.

Young has some 23 years of construction equipment industry experience at both Ingersoll Rand and Volvo. He began his Volvo Group career in 2008. In his previous role, Young served as Head of Uptime, where he led teams to implement new technologies and business models focused on services and product support, in partnership with the Volvo CE dealer network.

In the construction industry, heavy machinery such as excavators and bulldozers is essential for getting the job done. However, loading and unloading these massive machines from trailers and moving them across city streets, sidewalks, driveways, or lawns to reach the job site presents significant challenges. Without the proper ground protection, the risk of damage to surfaces is high, and the resulting costs can be substantial.

In 2024, the construction industry in the U.S. continues to face significant challenges with workforce shortages, rising labor costs and economic uncertainty. Amid this backdrop, unions in construction are maintaining a steady presence, but the sector remains a battleground for discussions on unionization. Both unionized and non-unionized construction companies are grappling with similar issues, such as worker retention and the need for wage increases to keep up with inflation. Yet, unions provide a structured approach to addressing these challenges through collective bargaining, advocacy and training programs. 

To SENA or not to SENA…that is the question! Is it though? If you like speaking in a normal tone of voice, clearly communicating to your fellow workers, and maybe even enjoy the ease of taking or making phone calls without pulling your phone out of your pocket while high in the air, maybe, just maybe, a Bluetooth communication system like SENA would be a great addition to your tree care team. Yelling up into the air in fragmented sentences, highlighting keywords for you and the rest of the neighborhood is how we’ve always done it, but it does get exhausting and is not as professional as you could be.

For those considering a career in the construction trades, understanding where your inherent skills and preferred work environment align with the demands of the industry can be key to long-term success. The construction trades offer diverse opportunities that cater to various skill sets, physical demands and work environments.

Crane Institute Certification’s new computerised scoring tells an operator within hours whether he or she passed the OSHA-required practical exam.

When it comes to keeping your hands safe and warm in tough working conditions like harsh winters, the right gloves can make all the difference. Whether you’re facing cold weather, working with heavy tools, or handling metal, this roundup covers gloves designed to meet the demands of a variety of tough jobs.

A local arborist managed to rescue a cat in a tree in Rutland last weekend.

Shannon Hyde owns Sisu Tree Care. Typically his days are full of pruning, cutting trees and yard clean-ups in the fall. But he's also ready to jump into action to rescue animals, especially cats that get stuck in trees.

"Firemen, contrary to popular belief, they do not rescue cats out of trees," Hyde said.

This particular cat was up a tree for 48 hours when he got the call on Sunday.

The construction industry is facing a workforce shortage, and companies are increasingly recognizing the need to attract young, skilled workers to fill the gap. The next generation, Gen Z and Millennials, live and breathe social media. It’s where they connect, learn and share. By leveraging social media effectively, construction companies can not only promote their projects but also create a brand that resonates with potential new hires, building a pipeline of young, skilled workers.

In an industry that is constantly evolving, it’s easy to see that the crane and rigging sector is undergoing a significant shift in how operator training is delivered, with technology playing a central role in shaping the future.

In the fast-paced world of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, precision and cleanliness are paramount. As the industry races to meet growing demand, manufacturers are increasingly turning to advanced cleanroom environments to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety in their production processes. Among the myriad components that make these specialized spaces function effectively, composite cribbing stands out as an unsung hero. This guide delves into the critical role of composite cribbing in EV cleanrooms, offering insights into its benefits and best practices for implementation.

Make sure to check out your backyard for zombies this Halloween season — zombie trees, that is. 

Zombie tree is a layman’s term for a tree that is dead or declining on the inside. 

“So basically, it’s a tree that appears OK on the outside, but internally or below ground, is probably not in the best health,” said Dan Cohen, assistant district manager of Needham tree removal company Hartney Greymont. 

The tree can pose a safety risk because limbs can fall off the tree, and the entire tree can potentially tip over. 

Branches that have fallen on the ground around the tree, damage on the trunk, and a thinning canopy — i.e. the top of the tree has spots that lack leaves — are all signs of a zombie tree, Cohen said.  

According to a survey of hundreds of attendees in a session at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, the labor shortage and recruiting and retaining high-quality workers are the biggest challenges facing the construction industry right now. 

We have developed a comprehensive guide to overcoming fundamental challenges in hiring and retaining employees in the construction industry. It delves into common construction/manufacturing industry issues, such as high turnover rates, difficulties in finding qualified candidates, and the impact of workplace environment on employee satisfaction, and how to solve them. 

In the realm of lifting, there are times when the crew needs to get up close to the elements that are being hoisted. While there are a variety of personnel lifting solutions, a man basket is often the answer.

Providing access via a crane and a man basket requires specialized equipment and know-how, but it is a tried and true practice that is safe and practical.

The new design is said to offer significantly improved visibility, comfort and safety features, with standard air conditioning. The company’s ‘Smart System’ including the company’s own telematics system monitors, records and uploads any misuse or overloading, location and a range of technical data. It is now available now for all crane models.

Tower cranes that can be operated from the ground are in use at a construction project in Birmingham - and have already helped an operator who is scared of heights.

The Skyline Cockpit ground command system has been trialled successfully and will continue to be used in Crown Place Birmingham.

It removes the need for an operator to climb up and down the mast to the cab by enabling them to control the crane from ground level.

Hurricane Helene and Milton tore through the Southeast, claiming lives and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Torrential rainfall and flooding overwhelmed outdated stormwater systems and eroded landscapes, factoring into the property damage, environmental contamination and tragic loss of life. Local officials and industry experts are now urging immediate action to strengthen stormwater management and erosion control. The need for resilient infrastructure and proactive maintenance is critical with climate change’s contribution to more frequent storms.

As the sun rises over a bustling construction site, heavy equipment operators begin their day with a crucial consideration: the stability of the ground beneath their machines. For these skilled professionals, understanding soil conditions is as vital as mastering their equipment. Whether operating a mobile crane or maneuvering a concrete pump, the integrity of the ground can determine the success or failure of a job. This is where proof testing enters the picture, serving as a critical process to ensure the earth can withstand the immense loads these operators handle daily.