Each Monday, we'll let you know what's coming in the week ahead, including important residential and commercial report releases, as well as our own feature articles.
OSHA silica rule update feature article — April 5
After years of deliberation and attempts from industry groups to block the ruling, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration — under the Department of Labor — issued its final rule on March 24 that aims to protect workers from exposure to silica dust.
In the construction industry, the new rule would reduce the allowed exposure to silica from 250 micrograms per cubic meter over an eight-hour period to 50 micrograms. The announcement sparked instant pushback from industry groups, as the Construction Industry Safety Coalition said the rule could cost the industry billions of dollars more than the government estimated.
In our feature article on Tuesday, April 5, we will delve deeper into the new rule, as we talk with opponents who say it creates an unfair burden to employers, as well as proponents who say it is necessary to protect employees.
CoreLogic Home Price Index — April 5
CoreLogic will release its February Home Price Index on Tuesday, April 5. Last month, CoreLogic announced home prices rose 1.3% between December and January. That price growth was significantly higher than CoreLogic's prediction of a slight 0.2% gain.
Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic, said in a release, "With rates staying low for now and continued solid job and income growth, the spring buying season is shaping up to be a good one."
In its previous report, CoreLogic predicted home prices will grow 0.5% between January and February. Will Tuesday's report affirm CoreLogic's prediction?
UK BIM mandate feature article — April 7
The U.K. will require all government construction contractors to use Building Information Modeling (BIM) beginning Tuesday. However, an Electrical Contractors' Association October survey found that only 16% of contractors were completely ready to implement BIM, 57% of contractors were not completely ready, and 27% were not ready at all.
In our feature article on Thursday, April 7, we'll find out if U.K. contractors are truly prepared for the requirement, what will change for them, and if this mandate is a sign of what's to come for the U.S.
