LAIBSON There is a pervasive and malignant myth in the construction industry that companies should not hire older employees simply because they are older. Life in the 21st Century has changed and firms cost themselves money and valuable resources by dismissing out-of-hand a pool of smart and dedicated older workers. Resumes that show that a job applicant has 30 years of experience obviously indicate that the candidate is at least 50 years old, maybe 55, maybe even 60. Some companies make assumptions about such people that are stereotypical and usually wrong: the candidate is over the hill and lacks energy
Mandatory Drug Testing Thank you for the coverage that the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) Drug & Alcohol program received in the article "Unions Tackle the Costs of Drug Use" (ENR 9/27 p. 32). But there is a discrepancy. The IMPACT Drug & Alcohol program will not be a voluntary program; it will be mandatory. After the article appeared, I received calls from union representatives and steel erection associations questioning why this article referred to a "volunteer" program. It is this feedback from the unions and associations that shows the growing concern and need for a mandatory drug
Offshoring Cuts Both Ways It behooves all international design firms to participate in global sourcing, for logical reasons. But firms that derive most revenue from domestic work should maintain domestic resources (ENR 8/2 p. 20). Since the advent of competitive bidding (the bane of good design work), and clients insatiable desire for speed, the quality and accuracy of project design has suffered. Offshoring design work will only compound this. It is sometimes impossible to coordinate design performed at the same domestic address, let alone work performed in a distant land. If the U.S. wishes to maintain a top position in
Keep Uncle Sam Out Your editorial regarding deficient small dams nationwide suggests that legislation at the federal level is what is needed to properly address this potential problem (ENR 7/26 p. 56). I disagree. I do not believe that centralized power is the de facto solution to all of the nations problems. You also note that New Jersey is admirably and aggressively addressing the issue. Let New Jersey be a model for other states and keep Uncle Same out. RAPHAEL SEMMES Vice President Wm. P. Lipscomb Co., LLC Arlington, Va. Offshoring Has Proper Role Iwant to applaud ENR for your
Clearing the Confusion Your article on the Miami Performing Arts Center, "Deal Cut to Expedite Miami Arts Center Job," is a good report on a troubled project thats been set right through Agency Construction Management (ENR 8/30-9/1 p. 12). In one respect, though, it adds to the confusion in the construction industry about what CM is and is not. One of the key players in the project compares agency CM to "a design-build type collaboration." In agency CM, the construction manager works directly and solely for the project owner, providing advice and services with only the projects success in mind.
Aging Dams Need Attention Your recent editorial on deficient small dams was a welcomed point about a growing concern that warrants national attention (ENR 7/26 p. 56). The challenges faced by local governments around the country are growing in size and scope along with the potential forand eventual impacts of dam failure. We are collectively faced with funding shortages, and yet, the facts that increase the likelihood of dam failures and the costs of these disasters continue to grow. Where once low-head dams were built to protect agricultural activities and low-density land uses, they are now often the only protection
Industry Image Is Morphing The editorial "Industry Image Initiative May Be Dying" (ENR 5/10 p. 48) accurately describes the meeting of the National Construction Industry Image steering committee as a watershed event. The purpose of the meeting was to reflect on achievements and to refine the vision of Chairman Pete Wert, who led the start-up effort. We are indebted to Pete for tilling the rocky soil of cynicism and industry self-deprecation. Under his leadership the committee launched the National Hard Hat Heroes award program and developed an industry recruiting DVD that speaks to the interests of future generations to make
Diatribe or Cooling Overview? The diatribe presented by Nadine Post in "Skyscrapers Supporters Infuriated by Fire Fearmongers" (ENR 6/7 p. 48) was bolstered by Richard Schulte, a fire protection engineer, and the editorial page of ENR, which lamented "the nation should not fall prey to hysterics, hyperbole and hot air." My background is 33 years in fire research, education and investigation. I am proud to say I am an advisor to the Skyscraper Safety Campaign. The Skilling group examined the structural consequences of a Boeing 707 (similar to the aircrafts that hit the World Trade Center towers) at 600 mph
Technology Toppers I have finished reading the ENR cover story, Ten Electronic Technologies That Changed Construction, and wanted to send my congratulations to the multiple authors for accurately capturing the state of technology in our industry today (ENR 6/21 p. 24). It is always a difficult task to capture all the details of any subject, let alone such a personal subject like technology. What one person cannot live without, another could care less about. Being that CAD may be critical to one group in our industry, another group may think that using Internet tools is a higher priority. Given the
Pay Attention to Systems The editorial in the May 31 issue implores us not to stifle innovation as we remove the root causes of the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport concourse collapse (ENR 5/31 p. 56). The root causes exist in our systems of "processes and procedures" for ensuring that the "millions of details mesh on our projects." The public cannot rely on our collective individual memories to prevent recurrence of such disasters. As designers and builders further explore the wild side of design with short-er timeframes and smaller budgets they must institutionalize their learning within their companies and projects. They must continually improve their process-based management