A kick-off event and press conference in Austin highlighted the safety crisis facing Hispanics in the construction industry and focused on partnerships that are working to reduce alarming fatality statistics.

Hispanic Contractors Address Safety Issues, Host Safety Fair in Austin

Back (left to right): Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, Juan Garza (general manager, Austin Energy), Raul Huerta, Jr. (Jay Reese Construction), Rolando Barrera (chairman, Corpus Christi Regional Transit Authority), Eric S. Harbin (OSHA area director), Matt Allen (Thos. S. Byrne General Contractors), Sam Kumar (Journeyman Construction LP), Laura Cagle (ICI Paints and vice chair, USHCA of Austin), Rick Garland (ICI Paints), Martha Limon (chair, USHCA of Austin). Front: Frank Fuentes (chairman, U.S. HCA), Ric Williamson (chair, Texas Transportation Commission).

The U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association kicked off a safety fair in Austin in mid-July with an event at the Texas Capitol in Austin representing a partnership among the association, private industry leaders and Texas elected officials. A press conference addressed the safety crisis facing Hispanics in the construction industry and measures being taken to address the issue.

Joining the USHCA were Ric Williamson, chairman, Texas Transportation Commission; State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos (D-Austin); Rep. Mike Krusee (R-Round Rock); Mike Martinez, Austin City Council member; and Juan Garza, Austin Energy general manager. Attendees included industry leaders from the AGC, the Texas Association of Home Builders and the Home Depot.

"We are proud to have so many strong partners and allies in our effort to make this industry safer," said Frank Fuentes, chairman of the USHCA. "With their help I know we can make our environment a lot safer."

The conference focused on figures showing that, while Hispanics comprise about 20 percent of the national construction industry workforce, they are about 80 percent more likely to die on a construction site.

"When a mine shaft collapses, we see Congress jump to action," said Sen. Barrientos. "But when more than 1,200 people die in a year at construction sites, there is hardly a blip."

The USHCA Safety Fair was held on the grounds of one of Austin's day-labor sites. Participants attended OSHA training classes, received tool-use instructions and took part in safety demonstrations.

CCT's Lopez Receives ACPA Outstanding Promoter Award

The American Concrete Pavement Association recently presented several distinguished service awards to surface transportation representatives for outstanding efforts in promoting the concrete pavement industry. The awards were given during a ceremony at the 2006 ACPA Mid-Year Meeting. Robert "Bob" V. Lopez of the Cement Council of Texas, received the Outstanding Promoter Award. The ACPA cited Lopez' "enthusiastic promotion of concrete pavement for highways, streets and local roads, parking lots and airports."

USGBC Partners with Clinton Climate Initiative

The U.S. Green Building Council recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Clinton Climate Initiative to "engage the largest cities in the world through the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group and provide them with the tools to become leaders in energy efficiency and green building strategies." The council says the result will be a reduction of carbon emissions.

A program of the Clinton Foundation, CCI is focusing on improving green purchasing power, mobilizing and deploying technical expertise and implementing common measurement tools in the areas of buildings, power, water and transportation.

As a partner in the CCI's effort, USGBC will provide technical assistance and expertise in green building practices. Other partners in the CCI include the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, the Alliance to Save Energy and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

The initiative was launched in early August during a news conference in Los Angeles. Joining USGBC president, Rick Fedrizzi, were former President Bill Clinton, London Mayor Ken Livingstone, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, San Francisco Mayor Gavin News and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.