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Work begins on third and final Wolf Point skyscraper

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 18:00:32 GMT

Salesforce Tower is pressing ahead

As Chicago remains on lockdown, construction crews are springing into action on the third and last phase of the Wolf Point mega development—the 58-story office building known as Salesforce Tower Chicago.

The 813-foot-tall skyscraper scored its first building permit this week, and work is already underway to prep the riverfront parcel for foundation drilling, according to the project’s webcam . Salesforce signed a 500,000-square-foot lease in the 1.2 million-square-foot project in late 2018. At the time, the company announced plans to break ground in early 2020 and open in 2023.

Salesforce Tower (center) will be topped by a company logo and a communal “Ohana” floor. Rendering by Steelblue

Since construction is classified as an essential service and allowed to continue under the state’s stay-at-home order , the initial timeline appears to be moving forward more or less intact. Representatives from Salesforce and developer Hines Interests did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The planned glass and metal tower comes from architecture firm Pelli Clarke Pelli and will slot between the 485-foot-tall Wolf Point West rental building and the recently completed 660-foot Wolf Point East apartment high-rise. The development also calls for below-ground parking and a publicly-accessible riverwalk.

The Salesforce deal includes naming rights to the building as well as a 1,000-square-foot company logo on the east side of the building’s crown. The top level of the tower is an Ohana Floor (which means “family” in Hawaiian) and will be used as quasi-public space for local nonprofits and educational groups on nights and weekends.

Salesforce Tower Chicago is the fourth major office skyscraper to rise near the confluence of the three branches of the Chicago River in recent years. It joins the 52-story River Point tower, the 54-story high-rise at 150 N. Riverside, and the 55-story Bank of America Tower—which opens later this year.

Thanks to Curbed Chicago

The 813-foot tower will have a noticeable impact on the Chicago skyline. Rendering by Steelblue

Long-discussed apartment tower ready to break ground in Fulton River District

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:47:33 GMT

The 32-story tower will rise just south of K2 at K Station

The upcoming building will look very similar to this 2018 rendering but with “updated massing,” according to its developers. Pappageorge Haymes Partners/Onni Group

A long-discussed—and, for some people, likely forgotten—high-rise apartment project in Chicago’s Fulton River District is finally ready to break ground. Vancouver-based developer Onni Group has received the official go-ahead to begin foundation work on its new building at 354 N. Union Avenue.

Plans to redevelop the vacant parcel bordered by Halsted Street, a set of Metra tracks, and the K2 apartment complex go back at least to 2015, when Crain’s reported that a California developer was pursuing a 38-story tower at the site. That plan was approved in 2016 and later revised in 2018. Based on a new construction permit issued by the city and shared by Chicago Cityscape, the current version of the project will rise 32 stories and contain 373 rental units and 143 parking spaces.

The design, which comes from local architecture firm Pappageorge Haymes Partners, hasn’t changed much from what was shown in 2018 renderings, a representative from Onni tells Curbed Chicago. The developer says it will release updated images later, once it’s time to market and lease the building.

Meanwhile, the upcoming apartment tower at 354 N. Union isn’t the only new development planting roots in Chicago. Construction crews recently broke ground on projects including the annex for the Loop’s MDA City Apartments, the 17-story AMLI 808 rental development in River North, an office building at 448 N. LaSalle, and Hyde Park’s Study Hotel.

*Article from Curbed Chicago, writtem by Jay Kozlarz

34 high-rises under construction in Chicago

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 17:33:08 GMT

A look at the projects expanding the Chicago’s

famous skyline

Thanks to Curbed Chicago

Equipment Maintenance

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 14:14:59 GMT

Keep you equipment in top shape.

Jobsites are generally dirty, unforgiving places. They are the product of a hard day’s work, and the reason why so much emphasis is now placed on dust-control solutions. But at the end of a day’s worth of grinding, sawing and drilling, keeping your equipment running in the best possible shape comes down to prioritizing tool maintenance. Properly maintaining your suite of tools keeps them running harder for longer periods of time before the eventual replacement.

More than the cost savings, though, proper equipment maintenance ensures the safety of your workforce on the jobsite. Sure, you get the oil in your car changed and the tires rotated because you don’t want it breaking down on the highway, resulting in a wasted day at the mechanic and an unwarranted bill. But more than that, you do it so your car doesn’t flip into a ditch.

The same is true for tool maintenance. While the short-term goal may be to save money on replacement equipment, every business owner knows that maintaining a safe work environment contributes to the success of his/her employees and

the company.

In fact, according to a 2016 report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals in the construction industry need to take roughly 10 days away from work after suffering from a job-related injury or illness. That means maintaining your equipment quite literally translates to safety and productivity on the jobsite. Here are a few key tips for keeping your equipment up to the task.

1. Keep the Motor Running Smoothly

It seems obvious enough, but it bears repeating: keep your tools clean. Both dust and moisture are killers on the jobsite. They can affect tool performance and overall lifespan. Because of the upcoming OSHA regulation regarding silica dust, concrete tools will soon need to have dust-control solutions. However, it is still wise to ensure your tools, specifically the motors, are dust free. The easiest and most efficient way to clean your tools at the end of a rigorous workday is to pull out the air compressor. Focus on a tool’s motor and any areas where there is motion, like a foot plate or blade guard on a saw.

Next, know your equipment and what it needs to run smoothly. For example, did you know the lubricating oil in a worm drive saw needs to be replaced annually? Or if you are experiencing excessive arcing or sparking, did you know it’s time to replace the motor brushes? Knowing your tools’ needs can make the difference between a total replacement and a simple repair.

2. Notice the Cords

While cordless tools are becoming more powerful and realistic to use on a jobsite all day, the job at hand often still calls for its corded counterpart. It is just as important to inspect your tools’ cords and extension cords as it is the equipment itself. Examine the cords on a regular basis to make sure there are no tears or exposed conductors. Once you have cut the jacket or insulation, you should replace the cord entirely. Some safety officers bring a colored roll of tape with them to inspect a jobsite. Should the cord pass the test, they wrap the colored tape around a small part. That way, they know it was inspected and can keep track of all the tools. The next time they visit, they bring a different color, which helps them keep a visual record of inspections.

3. Remember Maintenance Starts with Your Crew

Cleaning your tools, making proper replacements and checking the cord are all important, but in reality, the best way to get ahead of any maintenance issues is by maintaining your people.

By ensuring your team is properly trained, you can be more confident that your company’s tools are being used properly, which leads to less maintenance overall. This includes general safety instructions as well, such as reminding the crew not to violate a tool’s safety guards and features or setting tools down in a location where they won’t fall or get damaged.

Many workers come to the jobsite with the appropriate skills gained during years in the field, union training or having gone to a vocational school.

But for those without that kind of experience, individual manufacturers can visit a jobsite and put on a training seminar regarding their equipment. This is especially important when new specialty tools come out that haven’t existed in the market before. Owners need to make sure they are reading the operation and maintenance manuals and that their crews know how to use them safely.

Proper equipment maintenance is essential to a functioning jobsite, a profitable business and a safe team. By taking an extra step to be concerned about both your tools and your people, you can create an atmosphere that facilitates success.

Thanks to Gregg Mangialardi

Drill Bits for All Jobs

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:28:16 GMT

3M Ramps up N95 Respirator production (3 month backorder expected)

3M is committed to supporting the public health and government response to the coronavirus outbreak

“We immediately ramped up production in this facility. We have capacity to do that and we did that immediately ... really from a more standard five-day to a seven-day week.

- Andy Rehder, plant manager at 3M South Dakota

For weeks, 3M Co. has been stepping up production of its respirator face masks, a key part of protective gear against the Covid-19 coronavirus. But the company says it expects global demand to exceed supply of the masks "for the foreseeable future."

With the demand imbalance comes a spike in prices; CBS reports that Amazon had sold out of several mask types, and those that remained were going for well over typical MSRP. A 10-pack of 3M N95 masks that usually retails for about $20 were being sold by some Amazon vendors for $75 to $100. Amazon said this week it would crack down on vendors trying to gouge consumers on prices. "We've seen isolated incidents across the store, and we identify them and quickly take action," a spokesperson told CBS.

The frenzy comes despite cautions from the Centers for Disease Control that ordinary people shouldn't even bother with face masks unless they're a health provider — who are more likely to encounter infected people — or are sick themselves. Regular surgical masks (as opposed to the N95 styles) aren't even thought to provide much protection against catching the virus, though they'd conceivably be helpful against spreading germs from infected people.

Credit:

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2020/02/27/3ms-making-protective-masks-on-three-continents.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/28/3m-ramps-up-n95-respirator-production-amid-global-coronavirus-outbreak.html

Essential Safety Equipment

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:14:59 GMT

We find it important that every jobsite has proper safety equipment.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one in five worker deaths in 2016 were in construction. The leading causes of private sector worker deaths (excluding highway collisions) in the construction industry were falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution, and caught-in/between. These "Fatal Four" were responsible for more than half of the construction worker deaths in 2016.

To ensure your construction site stays safe and doesn’t end up a statistic, here are 13 items you may want to consider keeping nearby.

1. Security fencing around the site can keep the public out and allow controlled access for workers and visitors. Temporary chain-link fences work well, and there are companies that will install and remove them according to your job schedule. I would always have them install swinging gates where we were bringing the underground utilities into the site. This would eliminate the need to cut the fence.

2. Safety signage can make a big statement from the outside looking in. I would always use signs that read, "Safety Starts Here!" and "All Visitors Must Check In." You can also include "This Is a Controlled Access Area" and list required equipment, such as hard hats, safety vests, and safety glasses, as well as "OSHA Regulations Enforced."

3. Job information board should be posted at all job sites. On the board, include 911, local police and fire department phone numbers, and a map with directions to the nearest hospital.

4. First-aid kits are mandatory and should never be locked in the gang box when work is in progress. There are many types of first-aid kits you can choose from—some contain as many as 100 items. Make sure you have a proper first-aid kit for the work being done.

5. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is important to have and wear properly. Having extras in the job trailer or gang box is always a good idea. This can include safety glasses, ear protection, dust masks, hard hats, gloves, and safety vests.

6. Safety data sheets (SDS) or product safety data sheets are widely used for cataloging information on chemicals, chemical compounds, and mixtures. This information should be available for reference in case someone comes in contact with a particular product or material. Mobile apps can be used to access safety data sheets.

7. Eyewash bottles or an eyewash station are needed for quick flushing of eyes if debris or substances enter the eyes. Portable units typically have saline solution, while plumbed stations can use potable water of specified temperatures and flow rates.

8. Fire extinguishers are your first line of defense to keep a small fire from escalating. Having the proper type of extinguishers is critical, as some produce a powerful spray of water and others use foam or powder to put out fires. Know the correct type of extinguishers to use on your job.

9. Caution tape should be kept in the gang box, so you can quickly rope off areas to keep people out. There is a time to use caution tape and a time to use secured barricades—know the difference.

10. Fall protection systems have come a long way in the last few years and include both permanent and mobile solutions. Employees should have proper fall protection equipment in good condition, as well as training to use it.

11. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) can protect employees from electrical shock when a circuit experiences a difference in the current on the hot and neutral wire, such as when there's contact with water. It is good to know the proper amperage for the GFCI needed based on the equipment in use.

12. Proper selection of lifts and ladders is important, as is training employees to use them. With falls the number one cause of death in construction, it is good to plan ahead and know when to use a lift versus a ladder.

13. Lockout/tagout locks and labels should be readily available for use when you need to power down, lock, and label equipment that is being worked on. This improves visibility of disabled equipment and prevents unauthorized use and unexpected equipment startups.

Each construction project will require different safety items for the task at hand and a competent safety person can help identify those items. We must always remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

By: Acuity