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New National Safety Council survey: contractors and SIF risk
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 14, 2026

New National Safety Council survey: contractors and SIF risk

The National Safety Council is surveying employers to understand how they're managing serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) related to contractor work. The survey targets both organizations that hire contractors and those operating as contractors to gather data on SIF prevention practices.

Workforce
3D Systems Lands $9M to Complete Air Force Large-Format Metal 3D Printing Demonstrator
3D Printing Industry·Aug 14, 2026

3D Systems Lands $9M to Complete Air Force Large-Format Metal 3D Printing Demonstrator

3D Systems received a $9 million contract extension from the U.S. Air Force to continue development of its GEN-II DMP-1000 large-format metal 3D printer over the next two years. The funding will support the final phase of the Advanced Technology Demonstrator program to complete the technology.

3D Printing
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Which U.S. Construction Sectors Are Growing Fastest in 2026 — and Where a Full Backlog Hides Risk
ConstructConnect·Aug 14, 2026

Which U.S. Construction Sectors Are Growing Fastest in 2026 — and Where a Full Backlog Hides Risk

Data centers, power infrastructure, and healthcare are driving the fastest construction growth in 2026, with data centers showing the strongest contractor confidence at +57%. These booming sectors are creating significant demand for construction workers, though backlogs in certain areas present risks for project timelines and labor availability.

Workforce
JLC Online·Aug 14, 2026

A Custom Walnut Vanity

A custom walnut vanity was built to match existing bathroom cabinets in both material and design character. The project demonstrates custom cabinetry craftsmanship with detailed steps for constructing the face frame.

WEEKLY DISPATCH
GreenVibe Concrete Sensors Put Lab Results to the Test
ENR Construction Technology·Aug 14, 2026

GreenVibe Concrete Sensors Put Lab Results to the Test

GreenVibe's concrete sensors provide real-time measurements during curing that revealed insights missed by traditional lab testing methods. A costly high-rise repair project convinced the team that embedded sensor data could improve concrete quality control and prevent future structural issues.

Materials
Robots on Wall Street: Non-traditional paths to public markets for robotics companies
Robotics Business Review·Aug 14, 2026

Robots on Wall Street: Non-traditional paths to public markets for robotics companies

Robotics companies going public have multiple pathways available beyond traditional IPOs, including SPAC mergers and reverse mergers, each with distinct benefits. Agility's recent SPAC deal demonstrates the growing viability of non-traditional routes for robotics firms to reach public markets.

Robotics
Construction Materials Prices Flat in July, Up 7.4% From a Year Ago
Construction Executive·Aug 14, 2026

Construction Materials Prices Flat in July, Up 7.4% From a Year Ago

Construction input prices remained flat in July but are still 7.4% higher compared to the same month last year. Materials costs continue to outpace inflation despite the month-to-month pause in price increases.

Materials
Meshy Launches Meshy 7: Image-to-3D Model Built Around Alignment
3D Printing Industry·Aug 14, 2026

Meshy Launches Meshy 7: Image-to-3D Model Built Around Alignment

Meshy released Meshy 7, an updated image-to-3D model that converts 2D images into 3D assets for construction visualization and planning. The company introduced a new benchmark called alignment that measures how accurately generated 3D models match their source images, setting a new standard for quality in the industry.

AI & ML
AGC Safety & Health Town Hall – September 2
AGC of America News·Aug 14, 2026

AGC Safety & Health Town Hall – September 2

The Associated General Contractors is hosting a safety and health town hall on September 2 to discuss industry concerns and best practices. Construction professionals can expect to hear updates on regulations, hazard management, and worker protection strategies relevant to their jobsites.

SafetyWorkforce
Understanding Wood
JLC Online·Aug 13, 2026

Understanding Wood

Heartwood is the darker, non-living wood at the center of a tree log that provides structural support as the tree ages. Natural chemicals accumulate in heartwood to resist decay, making it a durable material for construction applications.

Materials
How Contractors Find Early-Stage Projects with ConstructConnect®
ConstructConnect·Aug 13, 2026

How Contractors Find Early-Stage Projects with ConstructConnect®

Early-stage project discovery allows contractors to identify commercial construction opportunities during the conceptual or design phases, typically 12-24 months before bidding begins. Finding projects at the planning stage enables contractors to win work based on fit and relationships rather than competing solely on price.

Workforce
JLC Online·Aug 13, 2026

Copper Corner Terminations

Copper corner terminations require careful design that balances functional performance with aesthetic integration into the overall building envelope. Effective exterior details must be thoughtfully executed rather than treated as afterthoughts to ensure durability and visual coherence.

Materials
WEEKLY DISPATCH
The Subcontractor Tech Gap: Why Tools Built for GCs Keep Trades Behind
eSUB Construction Software Blog·Aug 13, 2026

The Subcontractor Tech Gap: Why Tools Built for GCs Keep Trades Behind

General contractors have adopted advanced software tools that don't meet the needs of subcontractors, creating a technology gap that leaves trades struggling to keep up. Subcontractors need solutions built specifically for their workflows, not watered-down versions of GC platforms.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Mobile manipulators and humanoids: The future of robotics
Robotics Business Review·Aug 13, 2026

Mobile manipulators and humanoids: The future of robotics

Humanoids and mobile manipulators are emerging as the next generation of construction robotics, with major developers actively advancing the technology. A new resource provides an overview of current humanoid developers and insights from industry experts on how these robots will reshape job sites.

RoboticsAutonomy
Session Preview: What You’ll Find for Preconstruction Professionals at AU 2026
Autodesk Construction Cloud Blog·Aug 13, 2026

Session Preview: What You’ll Find for Preconstruction Professionals at AU 2026

Autodesk University 2026 is returning with expanded programming designed specifically for preconstruction professionals to learn and network. The event will feature expert-led sessions and panel discussions covering topics relevant to construction technology and project planning.

Workforce
ARM Institute calls for defense manufacturing technology projects
Robotics Business Review·Aug 13, 2026

ARM Institute calls for defense manufacturing technology projects

The ARM Institute and U.S. Department of War are requesting technology project submissions aimed at accelerating domestic defense manufacturing capabilities. Companies and organizations can submit innovations to support rapid production scaling in the defense sector.

RoboticsWorkforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
New Trimble SketchUp Pro Civil Contractor Connects 3D Modeling with Field Layout and Earthmoving
Trimble Constructible·Aug 13, 2026

New Trimble SketchUp Pro Civil Contractor Connects 3D Modeling with Field Layout and Earthmoving

Trimble SketchUp Pro now integrates 3D modeling directly with field layout and earthmoving operations for civil contractors. The connection between design and execution reduces coordination gaps and improves accuracy on job sites.

Autonomy
Experts to discuss the state of humanoid robots at RoboBusiness
Robotics Business Review·Aug 13, 2026

Experts to discuss the state of humanoid robots at RoboBusiness

Experts from leading robotics companies including Agility, Apptronik, Persona AI, and PSYONIC will share insights on the current state and applications of humanoid robots at the RoboBusiness panel. The discussion will cover developments in robotic technology that could impact construction operations and job site automation.

RoboticsAutonomy
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Construction Backlog Indicator Plummets in July
Construction Executive·Aug 13, 2026

Construction Backlog Indicator Plummets in July

Construction backlogs dropped significantly in July across most regions, signaling potential softening in project demand and future workload. The South is the only region maintaining a larger backlog compared to the same period last year.

Workforce
BioflexBot robot hand aims to replicate key human hand motions
Robotics Business Review·Aug 13, 2026

BioflexBot robot hand aims to replicate key human hand motions

Researchers have developed the BioflexBot, a robot hand with a simplified design that replicates and performs human hand motions effectively. The advancement could enable construction robots to handle complex manual tasks more efficiently on job sites.

RoboticsAutonomy
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Construction Input Costs Rise 7.1 Percent as War and Tariffs Push Prices Higher
AGC of America News·Aug 13, 2026

Construction Input Costs Rise 7.1 Percent as War and Tariffs Push Prices Higher

Construction input costs jumped 7.1 percent, driven by geopolitical tensions and new tariff policies that are pushing material prices higher across the industry. Contractors should expect continued budget pressures as supply chain disruptions from these factors work through project timelines and procurement cycles.

Materials
OSHA’s illness-recording requirement doesn’t apply to mental illnesses, appeals court rules
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 12, 2026

OSHA’s illness-recording requirement doesn’t apply to mental illnesses, appeals court rules

A federal appeals court has ruled that OSHA's requirement for employers to record work-related illnesses does not apply to mental health conditions. The 5th Circuit decision came from a case involving an ExxonMobil refinery explosion and fire in Texas.

Workforce
Black lung rates in coal-country states at a 50-year high, NIOSH says
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 12, 2026

Black lung rates in coal-country states at a 50-year high, NIOSH says

Black lung disease rates among long-tenured underground coal miners in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia have reached nearly 1 in 3 workers, marking the highest prevalence in almost 50 years according to recent NIOSH research. The findings highlight serious occupational health risks in coal mining regions and underscore the need for improved workplace safety measures and dust control practices.

SafetyWorkforce
New Hampshire law secures restroom access for truckers delivering cargo
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 12, 2026

New Hampshire law secures restroom access for truckers delivering cargo

New Hampshire's S.B. 500, signed in June and effective August 11, requires most businesses to allow commercial truck drivers to access restrooms during deliveries and pickups. The bipartisan law addresses a longstanding issue affecting the working conditions of drivers in the state.

Workforce