Walls & Ceilings’ Jill Bloom speaks with IIBEC CEO Brian Pallasch about the cutting-edge presentations and networking opportunities offered this year at Building Envelope Symposium.

SOPREMA celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Wadsworth, Ohio, in September. The event brought together key stakeholders to mark a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and growth in the United States.

Imagine training employees with a virtual reality, audio-visual headset that puts them on the job, inside a realistic house, with saws buzzing, hammers tapping and birds chirping. That is the concept behind an industry-leading virtual reality training program sponsored by Owens Corning.

Construction official says “desperate” proposal won’t address root causes of higher fuel prices but will blow a huge hole in the federal highway trust fund and undermine efforts to fix infrastructure.

RKTB Architects, an East Coast firm with a national message about addressing the 6-million-unit housing shortfall, has recently been honored with a Leadership in Housing Award from the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

The SM1R Industrial Headset was designed specifically to enhance two-way radio communication in high-noise environments.

The HD•3 High-Definition, Noise-Isolating Headset combines HD•5 Safety Earphones with an in-line microphone for communication by smartphone.

Powered by DECT7 wireless technology, the Apex 3-Series Wireless Headset with Advanced Hearing Protection connects team members in full-duplex conversation, similar to a conference call.

In 2011, the back was the body part involved in the largest percentage of injuries involving days away from work, according to the 2014 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”

Houston — Filipino seafarers often delay or completely avoid medical care – despite their rights to it under maritime law – for fear of retaliation from employers, including potentially losing their jobs, results of a recent study show.

Marietta, GA — Ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds are emitted during 3D printing, according to a recent study from the Chemical Insights Research Institute.

Following the unfortunate death of a woman who had activated a PERS alarm, a jury will decide the damages. 

Knee pads are now part of Milwaukee Tool’s line of personal protective equipment. Four EN14404-tested versions are available, designed to provide all-day comfort on the jobsite.

Calgary, Alberta – Oil-carrying pipeline workers have a lower injury risk than workers transporting oil on railroads or roadways, according to a new study from public policy think tank Fraser Institute.

Philadelphia – In a rare criminal conviction for a safety violation, a roofing company owner has pleaded guilty to lying to OSHA and willfully violating an OSHA rule in connection with the death of an employee.

Portland, OR — Spurred by five vehicle operator deaths between 2019 and 2022, a new hazard alert offers best practices for protecting roadside workers and stranded drivers.

Spectra two-stage stair nosings are visually appealing and durable, yet can be quickly and easily replaced if damaged.

Form-A-Tread Original is a durable high-tech epoxy paste designed to be easy to apply to stair treads. Form-A-Tread’s kit includes a 400-milliliter cartridge of material that can produce 25 to 40 linear feet of 1-inch-wide tread depending on the surface type.

StairMaster safety renovation treads come in 9- or 11-inch widths as well as contrasting or coordinating colors, including a glow-in-the-dark option. The tread is ideal for exit path markings, safety egress systems, or steps and landings.

New Haven, CT — National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and railroad safety advocates repeated their call for full implementation of Positive Train Control – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error.

Washington — The National Transportation Safety Board is closing three safety recommendations related to the installation of Positive Train Control – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error.

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule requiring certain railroads to develop and implement a fatigue risk management program as a component of their larger safety risk reduction program.

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is set to publish a proposed rule that would require railroads to maintain and update information about hazardous material shipments.

Indianapolis – The preliminary list of OSHA’s Top 10 violations for Fiscal Year 2017 remained largely unchanged from FY 2016, except for one new addition: Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503) entered the list at No. 9 with 1,523 violations, just ahead of Electrical – Wiring Methods (1,405 violations).

Itasca, IL — Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for the 10th successive fiscal year, the agency announced Feb. 26 during an exclusive Safety+Health webinar.

Washington — Roadside assistance providers are struck and killed by passing vehicles more often than national crash data suggests, according to the results of a recent study.

Washington — Facilities that produce or handle hazardous chemicals should prepare written procedures and establish policies for evaluating simultaneous operations to ensure “robust safe work practices,” the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would require certain railroads to develop and implement a fatigue risk management program as a component of their larger safety risk reduction programs.

Whether you drive for a living or merely commute to and from work, you need to be aware of deer.

Sacramento, CA — The California Legislature has approved a bill that would require employers in the state to have a workplace violence prevention plan.

The HBB-EM Series professional grade dual-muff headset, designed for high-noise environments, has a noise protection certification rating of 24 dB.

The NRR 24dB-Certified Helmet-Mount Headset (HBB-EM-HM) is a professional-grade dual-muff headset made specifically for industrial and construction use.

The Peltor LiteCom Plus Headset is an all-in-one two-way radio headset that allows conversation on up to 30 channels with a range of up to 9,500 feet.

Dual-Muff Headsets are now available in a new wireless model. The wireless version uses the latest Bluetooth technology and offers the same high-performance quality as the original model, while continuing to provide a noise reduction rating of 24 dB.

Washington — Prompted by the death of a worker whose fall protection lanyard was severed by an exposed edge as he fell, OSHA has issued a hazard alert.

Washington — Chemical facilities should be confirming that equipment can function within the safe operating limits documented in process safety guidance while ensuring quality during all situations – including emergencies, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Prepared Foods profiles new foodservice sauces, dressings and spreads.

Just as there are so many ingredients combined in a good sauce, there are many factors that combine to impact new product development in sauces, dressings and spreads. And this is true—seemingly for better and for worse.

The new dips and spreads are an evolution of Litehouse’s popular 15oz Veggie Dips which historically were a leader in the creamy veggie dips category. 

Washington — Railroads must develop certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees, under new Federal Railroad Administration final rules.

Washington — The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a series of recommendations to several entities in a new report on the Feb. 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Washington — Truck drivers who spend time waiting for cargo to be loaded or unloaded at customer facilities – known as “detention time” – are more likely to travel at higher speeds than drivers who aren’t detained.

To meet the market demand for a plant-based chicken alternative, the products represent plant-based and allergen friendly pizzas and flatbreads featuring chick’n style shreds will be available in frozen aisles in stores across the US.

Responding to the growing demand for allergen-friendly options, Dr. Schär USA introduced Artisan Baker White, Artisan Baker Multigrain, and Artisan Baker 10 Grains & Seeds Breads, now available in a soy-free formulation.

The Keto Pita and Keto Flat Bread both pack 7g of protein and 13g of fiber per serving with 18g of carbohydrates and zero sugars.  

A successful product formula needs just the right ingredients in the right proportions. The same axiom applies to a great company and/or a disruptive innovation. It requires just the right combination of people, process, product and consumer appeal—which in this case, involves protein, an essential dietary macronutrient.

"Our research shows expanding the range of product choices enables us to engage new consumers who crave a selection of delicious, straightforward options crafted with wholesome ingredients," said Krystle Farlow, director of brand management for Nature's Own.

Developed in collaboration with Japan's renowned Yamazaki Baking, these breads seamlessly merge authentic Japanese baking traditions with Tom Cat's American artisan standards.

SpreadStone pre-mixed stone coating from Daich Coatings presents the appealing look of natural stone or ceramic tile and is a 100-percent real stone.

VersaCap is used to create custom, matching, flush stair treads and returns that perfectly compliment the floor plank to provide an elegant cohesive look.