Research + Tech

Pamela Shinkoda joins ASTM International board of directors

Shinkoda

Pamela M. Shinkoda, research associate and manager of technical solutions and quality for CGC Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, has joined ASTM International’s board of directors. She will serve a three-year term.

ASTM International’s board of directors is composed Shinkoda of 25 leaders from a variety of companies, associations and government bodies worldwide. CGC is a manufacturer and distributor of gypsum board products, interior finishing materials and suspended acoustical ceilings in Canada.

Shinkoda has served in her current role since 2015 and previously served as a technical manager and section manager of building products. She has been a member of ASTM International since 1998 and is past chairwoman of Committee C11 on Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems. Shinkoda also is a member of ASTM International’s fiber-related cement products (C17), fire standards (E05), and building and environmental acoustics (E33) committees.

ABC releases safety technology guide for contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors has made available its Safety Technology Resource Guide, according to constructiondive.com. The guide is designed to assist contractors who want to implement new technology and innovate on job sites.

ABC’s Safety Technology Resource Guide helps build the construction workforce’s skills, increases safety and efficiency on job sites, and ensures contractors are in accordance with industry safety guidelines.

The safety guide addresses common issues contractors face while implementing technology on job sites. It includes general tips, cases and specific recommendations, as well as best practices for contractors, including:

• Start small, and test technology on one or two projects before rolling it out across all jobs.
• Assign a technology champion who is responsible for implementing the technology.
• Celebrate small wins and recognize success on any scale when innovating.
• Strategize a rollout to meet end users where they are.
• Identify necessary training for new technology and plan how training will be completed.
• Pair seasoned professionals with digital natives to create opportunities for employees to connect with one another, create a more inclusive culture, improve safety and raise efficiency with technology.
• Note what works and what doesn’t to double down on successes and avoid repeating mistakes.

“To be a leader in the industry, contractors must be willing to innovate to deliver work and ensure our workforce gets home safely every single day,” says Matthew Abeles, ABC vice president of construction technology and innovation.

ABC’s Safety Technology Resource Guide is available at abc.org/safety-tech.