C&D News

RECYCLED LUMBER COMPANY LAUDED

International Wood Products Inc., Queen Anne, Md., has become the first wood products company to receive certification from Scientific Certification Systems, Oakland, Calif., for 100-percent post-consumer recycled wood content in its wood flooring products.

SCS lauded the company’s unique practice of retrieving timber from the beams of 19th century buildings slated for demolition and reclaiming federally protected species such as heart pine. The recycled wood flooring is being marketed through major retail chains and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.

TASK FORCE TO STUDY CRANE OPERATION

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, Fairfax, Va., has appointed a 20-member task force to produce a comprehensive job analysis. The analysis will form the basis of written tests of knowledge and skill to be required for crane operator certification by CCO.

Task force members have "extensive experience in the use of cranes from a wide range of perspectives," according to CCO. Representatives include construction, manufacturing, safety and training industries, as well as the U.S. government, crane owners, trade unions and large industrial corporations that use cranes.

The task force is responsible for defining the knowledge necessary to safely operate cranes on the worksite. The group has already recommended to the CCO board of directors the development of written examinations for four types of mobile cranes in the initial phase of the program: lattice boom crawler, lattice boom truck, telescopic boom (up to 17.5 tons) and telescopic boom (more than 17.5 tons).

CCO is currently establishing a second task force to write examination questions.

BRITISH STEP UP C&D RECYCLING

An increased and more efficient use of recycled and waste materials in the construction industry is the objective of the United Kingdom’s Aggregate Advisory Service planned for 1995.

The new service will promote secondary and recycled aggregates rather than primary product -- sand, gravel and crushed rock. Recycled materials will help meet a growing demand for aggregate, which is expected to reach 365 metric tons by 2006. The Comite European de Normalisation will convene shortly to harmonize European specifications on such materials.