on Wright Brothers Contracting Blog

Does Your Construction Team Have All the Training It Needs? | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 06:00:25 EDT

Are you looking to build a dream team? Then, you need to make sure your construction team has the training it needs to work effectively and efficiently on the job site.

Our team at Wright Brothers Contracting works hard to ensure skills are built and maintained from season to season within the construction industry.

What’s Missing?

Whether you have new employees coming on board or seasoned veterans who have become complacent in their career, it’s important to make sure all skills align and are given a good foundation to grow and build a successful team.

Take a look at some of the ways that you can help develop skills among your construction team:

Boost Your Workers’ Skills

Is there a certain skill missing from your construction team? Now’s the time to offer additional training to help them gain the necessary skills.

Whether you’re focused on communicating effectively or operating heavy machinery, it’s vital that all skills are kept up to keep everyone safe while on the job, as well as meet deadlines.

Train Your Construction Workers Properly

As in any job, there are certain risks associated with construction, making training in certain areas of the construction site even more valuable and important. If your employees are able to learn these skills on the front lines, then they are able to anticipate, prepare and strategize a safety plan together while on the construction site.

For example, falls are one of the main risks associated with construction workers. Therefore, it’s important for all workers to have good balance, depth perception and eye-hand coordination when working on a construction site.

In addition, you need to have a strong physical skill set of strength and endurance to help keep up with certain tasks on a job site. As a result, it’s important to ensure workers are trained in how to move and handle machinery so that it doesn’t hurt their health.

At Wright Brothers Contracting, we strive to ensure our team has optimal training and remains in the know about the latest best practices to stay safe and complete work.

Overcoming Challenges in the Construction Industry | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 21:16:04 EDT

Every industry has its fair share of challenges, including the construction industry. Fortunately, the team at Wright Brothers Contracting is ready to help overcome the challenges!

What’s Facing the Construction Industry?

From rules and regulations to other issues, there are many challenges facing the construction industry—but nothing we can’t overcome. Some challenges include:

Labor Shortages

With infrastructure funding finally coming into play, there are going to be more jobs being created. Which also means more workers are going to be needed.

As a result, the construction industry needs to tap into a new generation of workers to help fill in the gaps as the older generation retires. This can also make the construction industry appealing to many candidates, since they know their skillset is in demand.

Safety

Safety is an absolutely necessity when it comes to the construction industry. As a result, OSHA continues to unveil safety measures designed to keep employees—and the public at large—safe from hazards on and around the construction site.

From adhering to silica rules to helping eliminate fall hazards on a construction site, our goal is to always keep our workers safe and protect them against accidents and injuries while on the job site.

When new equipment is introduced, our employees undergo additional training to help them understand how to utilize it safely. We also require safety gear, including steel boots, helmets and appropriate eyewear, to help keep workers safe while on the job.

Technology

The construction industry has been known to fall behind when it comes to the utilization of technology. However, the industry is coming onboard with technology, especially as it sees the important role it can play in the future of building roads and bridges.

Drones, especially, have found a place in the construction industry, helping to keep workers safe by being able to safely go where humans cannot.

Are you looking for a career within the construction industry? Look no further than with Wright Brothers Contracting!

Hey, Mr. Weatherman: Your Moods Are Impacting Our Road Conditions! | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Tue, 15 May 2018 06:00:24 EDT

The April showers certainly brought some heavy rain to our backroads and highways. And when there’s rain, there’s road damage.

That’s why our team at Wright Brothers Contracting wants to share some info about how poor weather can impact our roads.

Cars Aren’t the Only Thing Making an Impact on Roads

Let’s take a look at how the elements affect our roadways.

Why don’t we start with water, since April was an extremely rainy month that even included some flood days. When extreme flooding occurs, the weight of the water causes the pavement of the roads to weaken. As a result, vehicles driven on the weakened pavement can bring about cracks in the asphalt, as well as potholes in various areas, such as parking lots.

In addition, when it comes to bridges, debris from the floods can cause the foundation of bridges to grow weak, which, in turn, makes it difficult and dangerous for cars to cross. That’s why road funding becomes so important, so that damage from weather on our roadways and bridges can be fixed sooner rather than later.

Earth, fire and air are also elements that can play a part in the destruction of our roads and bridges. For instance, earthquakes, tornadoes and volcanic eruptions can all cause roads and bridges to be destroyed in a blink of an eye.

Between roads buckling and bridges on shaky ground, there are many projects currently out there, even in our area, that could use some upgrading to help improve the transportation industry within our own state of Tennessee.

Are you ready for Mother Nature to take a step back and for our construction team to step in to help build stronger roads and bridges in the Chattanooga and surrounding areas?

When Mother Nature decides to do her thing, you can count on Wright Brothers Contracting to get to work!

Sun Protection While on the Construction Site | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Tue, 01 May 2018 06:00:23 EDT

Chances are that while driving down the road, you’ve seen the Wright Brothers team a time or two. And now that the weather’s warming up, you’ll notice our team taking more preventive action against the sun’s strong ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Read on for a look at how Wright Brothers Contracting works to keep our employees safe in the sun and heat!

Sun Safety On the Construction Site

While our goal is to get the job done effectively and efficiently, we also want to keep our construction crews safe from the sun’s UV rays while out on the job site.

Take a look at steps we take to help keep our outdoor workers safe in the sun:

If possible, we move the work to an inside or more shady location during the hours the sun is most intense.
We send our construction crews to cooler, more shady places for work breaks and lunch.
If possible, we organize the hours of work so that work can be done before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. so that our workers are not out during the hottest hours of the day.
We recommend that protective clothing be worn while on the construction site, including broad-brimmed hats (along with hard hats) to protect construction workers’ faces from the sun.
We recommend that sunscreen be worn at all times and re-applied every two hours.
We recommend that our workers drink water throughout the day to keep the body hydrated. To ensure this happens, we make water readily available on our construction sites at all times.

Are you ready to work with a company that takes the safety of their employees seriously? Then, we are the (w)Right choice for you! Contact the Wright Brothers Contracting team today to learn how we can help you get started on your next project!

A Day in the Life of a Construction Worker | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 06:00:21 EDT

While you might see us all the time driving around town, have you ever thought about what our day really looks like?

Our team at Wright Brothers Contracting wants to take a moment to tell you a little bit about the average day of a construction worker.

Each Day Is a New Day!

When you are working on a project for Wright Brothers Contracting, you can expect to find yourself working on a highway, airport, landfill, commercial building or other commercial construction structure.

The mornings can start early but the nights can also be late, depending on the type of construction site you are working on.

For instance, when working on a highway, sometimes the best time to work is overnight when there is not as much traffic while on the road.

However, other construction sites like landfills and commercial buildings might be more appropriate for early morning hours. Therefore, as with other job positions, the hours at work on a construction site could be different for everyone, as well as different when it comes to each project.

When the job begins, the team gathers for a quick meeting to discuss the tasks that lie ahead. In addition, team members begin to put on the appropriate safety gear to help ensure safety on the job site.

Safety gear for a construction worker includes:

Slip-resistant shoes/boots
Hard hat
Safety vest
Eye goggles
Gloves

After a meeting and putting on the right protective gear, it’s time to get to work!

Take a Break

Because of the strenuous work occurring each and every day on a construction site, it is vital that our workers take breaks throughout the day in order to recuperate. Plus, this helps to ensure safety is at the forefront and a worker doesn’t become injured on the job site because he or she is able to keep his or her mind and body sharp through rest breaks.

Hydration is also vital on a job site, especially since the strenuous work can cause a worker to become dehydrated faster than other jobs, such as those at a desk.

Rest breaks throughout the day allow time for construction workers to catch their breath while also grabbing a cup or two of water to help stay hydrated on the construction site.

At the end of the shift, it is back to making sure all heavy equipment is turned off and taken care of, as well as all safety equipment put back in its place to be ready for work the next day!

Is a construction worker’s life the life for you? Contact Wright Brothers Contracting today to learn about our current job openings.

Avoiding Delays on a Construction Job | Wright Brothers Construction

Wright Brothers Contracting — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 06:00:21 EDT

While life happens and things occur that are out of our control, our team at Wright Brothers Contracting wants you to know that we work hard to avoid delays on any construction site we step foot on.

Start Off the Construction Project on the Right Foot!

When creating project timelines, it’s important to incorporate wiggle room to help account for the unexpected events that can occur on any construction site. Our team strives to be as productive and efficient as possible to not only meet deadlines of construction projects, but go above and beyond to possibly finish them before the due date.

However, when delays do occur, they often seem to happen before the construction project even starts to break ground, which is where there is a lot of room for improvement.

Let’s take a look at ways we can help take care of delays within any construction project our team is on.

First, you want to make sure you set realistic deadlines for your project. One of the worst things any business can do is to set itself up for failure in the beginning.

Therefore, be realistic about how long it takes to get permits, as well as the state of traffic around the construction site. These are all factors in how long a project will take overall.

Second, you also want to make sure you plan right for the materials needed for the construction project.

Are all the materials in, or do they need to be ordered? Is there any custom work that needs to be included that will be sent overseas? These are all matters that can delay any project.

Once you’ve identified these potential roadblocks, build in appropriate time to ensure everything is wrapped up in plenty of time.

Don’t delay! Contact the Wright Brothers Contracting team today to learn how we can help you get started on your next project!

Finding the Perfect Location for a Construction Project | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 17:27:02 EDT

While the team at Wright Brothers Contracting might be known for its roads and bridges, we are also able to help with a number of various commercial construction projects, like landfills and airports. But before we get started on any project, it’s important that we find the perfect spot to build!

Space Available!

One of the many benefits that comes with working with our team is that we have knowledgeable and experienced contractors on the job who can help with selecting the perfect location. After our contractors review the pros and cons of various available spaces in the area, they are able to give important feedback on the location that will best suit the client’s needs.

Let’s take a look at some of the aspects our contractors look at when reviewing available spaces for a commercial project like a landfill or an airport.

First, our contractors want to make sure the new location fits most—if not all— of the needs of the client’s project to ensure he or she will be happy once the project is complete. You want the location to fit well into the strategy of the overall project.

Second, does the space allow for build out? If possible, using an already existing location can be more cost-effective while also a friend to the environment, as you are recycling a structure. Yet not all structures are ready to go for the purpose of the project.

Therefore, it’s important to have experienced contractors like ours to evaluate the location to ensure it’s able to meet the needs of a project, as well as to ensure the changes won’t exceed the cost if you just started from scratch. You want to make sure the structure is the right fit, and our contractors do just that!

Finally, when looking at location, contractors also ensure the space is able to be branded into something new—like a big-box store to a strip mall. Sometimes, the old brand can still be visible. A new brand doesn’t want the old brand sticking around. Therefore, it’s important that these distinctive features can be wiped clean and replaced with a new brand.

Fortunately, for the most part, simple cosmetic work can be completed in order to take away the recognizable features of the old brand. All you need is a company that can give the commercial property some TLC—like us!

Are you ready to start building with Wright Brothers Contracting? We are ready to move some dirt!

Aging Within the Construction Industry | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 06:00:11 EST

As Confucius says, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” That philosophy shouldn’t change as you age, which is why our team at Wright Brothers Contracting works with our employees to make sure they can find success—no matter what their age!

Age Is Just a Number in the Construction Industry

The average retirement age for construction workers is 61, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means more construction workers today are working longer than in the past. However, as we age, our ability to handle certain tasks diminishes somewhat.

Older construction workers tend to be at a higher risk of many chronic or acute conditions that can impact their work, including:

Arthritis
Back strains
Deteriorating hearing and vision
Hypertension
Joint problems
Muscle strains

Because these conditions can make injuries more common, it’s vital that certain steps are taken to ensure a construction worker’s skills are being used properly while ensuring his or her safety.

It might be necessary, for example, to modify certain tasks on a construction site based on both ability and age to ensure the physical safety of each worker. It’s also important to keep a careful eye on the number of hours being spent on the job site to ensure safety.

To make sure construction workers of all ages remain safe on our construction sites, an annual physical exam is important. These evaluations can determine where workers are able to perform certain tasks and if they have any physical limitations.

A stretching session before and after work can also help to decrease a construction worker’s risk of suffering an injury on a job site by improving their range of motion and increasing flexibility. In addition, this stretching session could also help to improve work performance and overall happiness in their job, which probably means the most to all!

At Wright Brothers Contracting, we welcome construction workers of all ages. Contact our team today to learn how you can get started in a career with us!

Take Steps to Manage Your Stress & Protect Your Heart! | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 06:00:16 EST

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 735,000 people living in the United States suffer a heart attack every year. One of the biggest causes of heart disease? Stress!

That’s why our team at Wright Brothers Contracting wants to take time during American Heart Month to offer some suggestions on how you can take your stress level down a few notches!

Coping With Stress in a Heart-healthy Way

Let’s face it—we all have stressful days. Whether caused by work or our personal lives, stress can always find a way into our lives. That’s a reality, but it’s how we handle that stress that ultimately matters.

For starters, you need to explore what your stressors are. While some stressful events cannot be predicted, other stressors can, especially if they occur frequently. When those stressors occurred, how did you handle the situations? Think through your common stressors and how you react to them. How can you handle them better?

Second, if you react negatively—say by stress-eating—find a healthier reaction. For instance, instead of immediately going into stress mode and yelling and screaming, use exercise as a stress buster instead. In fact, regular physical activity can actually help you manage the effects of stress during the course of a week. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, which you can fit in with just more than 20 minutes per day.

Finally, learn how to relax. When the stress is beginning to get the best of you, take deep breaths and meditate. Or go for a walk, take a 20-minute break and listen to some soothing music, read a book, or take a bath. Know which activities are calming for your mind and body—and when you begin to feel stressed, head to your comfort zone.

Does a certain project have you stressing out? Don’t let it. Instead, let the Wright Brothers Contracting team handle the job from start to finish so that you can focus on other things.

Finding the Right Balance of Work and Life | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 06:00:17 EST

When you’re facing the daily ins and outs of life, maintaining a work/life balance can seem unattainable. However, the team at Wright Brothers Contracting wants to show you that it can be done!

3 Tips for Carving Out a Work/Life Balance

Do you currently feel stressed out on a daily basis? Do you feel as though you can’t give 100 percent to your work and 100 percent to your family?

Those feelings are familiar to most of us. But don’t you think it is time to start enjoying your life a little bit more? Let’s take a look at ways you can start having a better work/life balance in 2018.

First, prioritize your goals—for the day, week, month and year. And while it might be hard to determine what to prioritize, it can be done. Determine what’s most important, then take one task at a time from there. You might think multitasking will help you get more things done, but in reality, knocking one item off the list at a time will be more effective in the long run.

Second, you need to set your work hours and stick to them. It’s important to establish boundaries when it comes to work. It’s all too easy to allow our work to encroach on our personal time. But it’s very important that we don’t. When you are on work time, focus on work. However, when you are on personal time, the same principle applies.

Finally, you need to let technology work for you. While you don’t want a robot taking your job, today’s technology can help make life easier. Look into tools that will help you organize your time, keep track of responsibilities or even nudge you to stop working and start spending time with the kids. Believe it or not, there’s an app (or two) for all of that!

Are you ready to work for a company that cares for family just as much as you do? Visit the Wright Brothers Contracting website today to learn about our current job openings.

How to Be Compliant in the Construction Industry | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 06:00:16 EST

Did you know more than 6.5 million people are at work on a construction site on any given day? With that many people, rules and regulations must be set in order to help protect construction workers and businesses. The team at Wright Brothers Contracting is committed to working within the regulations set forth by OSHA to best protect our workers and remain compliant within the construction industry.

Following the Rules…

Each year provides new opportunities to improve safety on a construction site so that fewer and fewer injuries occur with each passing year. Read on to learn of ways the construction industry can tackle injury prevention on a job site and remain compliant with OSHA requirements.

First, you want to make sure you are hiring employees who care just as much about safety as you do. When discussing the importance of safety with your potential new hires, evaluate their body language. Are you getting a sense that they truly understand just important safety and compliance rules are? Or do you think that they are just shaking their head to get the job, and will be reckless on the job site once hired?

At Wright Brothers Contracting, we want a team of employees who want to keep not only themselves safe on a job site, but also their peers. Therefore, we take the time to ensure we are hiring people who also have safety at the top of their priority list.

Second, we provide training regularly throughout the year, especially as new regulations come into play. Our team is always going through training to ensure everyone is on the same page about how to keep safety a priority while on the job site.

Finally, you want to ensure you are maintaining your construction equipment properly so that employees can feel safe behind the wheel of cranes, bulldozers and other large equipment. Construction equipment is heavy machinery, which means it needs to be handled with the utmost care. Just as a car needs to be maintained in various ways throughout the year, so does construction equipment.

Are you ready to work with a team that puts just as much emphasis on your safety as it does its own? Visit Wright Brothers Contracting to learn how we strive to stay up to date to keep everyone safe while working in and around a construction site.

Be More Productive in Your Career Within the Construction Industry | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 06:00:14 EST

Looking back on 2017, how do you feel about your leadership skills and ability to manage a variety of commercial construction projects? No matter what your answer, the team at Wright Brothers Contracting wants to share some ways we can all stand to improve in 2018!

Picking Up New Habits for Growth in Construction in 2018

When preparing for a new year, it’s important to go through a list of pros and cons, also known as your list of good habits and bad habits, to help you see where there is room for improvement.

First, were you guilty of multitasking a lot throughout the year? While multitasking might give you the sense that you are getting everything done, are you really completing each task to the best of your ability? If you look back at your work, probably not. You could probably instantly see where you were rushing through and where you could have done better. Therefore, in 2018, aim to throw your multitasking habit out the window. Instead, plan on completing one task at a time. This will help ensure the project you’re working on has your full attention, helping you complete it more quickly and efficiently.

Second, limit the interruptions to your workday. Texts, emails and phone calls can all lead you down rabbit trails away from the project you’re working on. Your best bet is to start putting your phone on silent and closing your email, checking both at a couple designated times during the workday. These distractions are killing your productivity at work more than you realize. By turning off the “stressors,” you might find yourself getting more done during your eight-hour workday than ever before!

Finally, you have to get a good night’s sleep every night. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,, one in three adults are not getting the sleep they need at night. Lack of sleep doesn’t just make you feel tired during the day.

Sleep deprivation is linked to a decrease in memory, reaction time and your cognitive function as a whole. You need your sleep! If you are having a hard time getting between seven and nine hours of good sleep each night, talk with your primary care physician about ways you can improve your sleep routine for a more productive day.

Do you have a project that our construction team could assist with? Visit Wright Brothers Contracting to learn how we can help you complete your project in the coming year.

Team Building for the New Year | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 06:00:16 EST

While you are busy considering your own goals for 2018, the team at Wright Brothers Contracting is looking for ways to build an even better team to help meet the infrastructure goals in front of us in the new year. We don’t just want to “meet” the goals—our team’s overall plan is to exceed them.

Take Your Team From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Read on for a look at ways to strengthen your team in the new year.

First, in order for a team to work as a unit, everyone has to be on the same page. If each person’s vision is completely different, then the company as a whole seems unprofessional and distorted. Therefore, it’s important when team building to also ensure that the vision is the same for all parties involved. If your company’s vision isn’t clear, it might be best to find a way to make it more understandable in 2018.

Second, you also want to sit down with your team and work on goals for the new year together. This is another way to ensure everyone is on the same page, and each person can understand how he or she fits into the common goal of the company. They can see how they are not a small part, but actually an integral part of the team in meeting those goals. Allowing them to be a part of the process also helps employees to see value in their work, which means they will work harder and be more productive because they understand how vital a role they have within the company.

Finally, it can’t be all work and no play. There needs to be a time when the team can come together for fun and challenging activities that aren’t necessarily held on the construction site. Therefore, every once in a while, bring your team to another location to create an atmosphere fit for team-building activities.

Are you ready to be a part of our team? Visit the Wright Brothers Contracting website today to learn about our current openings. You might just be able to start a new career the “Wright” way with Wright Brothers in 2018!

Ending the Year on the Right Foot! | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 06:00:15 EST

Who wants to end the year on the wrong foot? No one, especially not our team at Wright Brothers Contracting. That’s why we’re focusing in this month on how we can end 2017 on a high note, leaving us to begin 2018 in a good spot!

The Closing of a Chapter

While you might want to focus in on the holiday season, there’s still business to be done. The following tips can help you stay productive and end 2017 the right way.

First, focus in on your end-of-year goals. Whether it’s to finish paving a back road that is covered in potholes or starting to work on a bridge thats foundation is beginning to fail, you need to do your best to limit your distractions, which means making time for work and making time for play, such as holiday office parties, gift exchanges, etc. While the holidays are a great time of year to spread holiday cheer, you still need to work to get the job done accurately and efficiently.

Second, it’s important that everyone pitches in to help cover for each other during the holiday season. People tend to save their vacation time to use around major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s to give them a longer amount of time with family and friends. Therefore, it’s up to those left behind to pick up the slack and keep things moving. While it can be frustrating when you feel like you’re pulling extra weight while others are on vacation, remember that your time will come!

Finally, you want to start thinking about the new year. What are your career goals for 2018? What are you most proud of in 2017? What obstacles did you face, and how are you going to improve upon your achievements in 2018?

While we’re focusing on end-of-year goals, you’re probably working on your project wish-list for 2018—and we would love to be a part of it. Visit the Wright Brothers Contracting website to check out our latest projects and learn what we’re capable of!

The Stages of the Construction Project | Wright Brothers Contracting

Wright Brothers Contracting — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 06:00:14 EST

Have you ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes of a construction project from start to finish? The team at Wright Brothers Contracting wants to give you an inside look at the project management systems we put in place to ensure our projects are completed in an efficient and timely manner each and every time.

The Basic Stages of a Project

The following stages take place when working on any construction project (i.e., roads, bridges, etc.) from start to finish:

First, you want to start making decisions on a project. Now that the bidding is over, it’s time to make a plan to determine how the different phases of a project will occur. From coordinating material delivery to establishing deadlines and everything in between, a project initiation document (PID) is created so that everyone on the team is able to know what is expected on the project and when.

Next, you have the planning stage. This is when it is decided what costs will occur, what timeline everything will fall on, what resources will be used, and what Wright Brothers team members will be tackling the project. A smaller list of tasks is also created at this stage to ensure everyone involved knows what is needed and expected from them at the construction site each day.

A budget is also established so that the appropriate number of workers can be scheduled. Team members are in constant communication during this stage to ensure everyone is on the same page with where the project is headed.

Along the way, project managers make sure milestones are being met. While the contracting team works hard to ensure every step is on track and tasks are being completed effectively and efficiently, changes can also be made to improve the flow of the project. On every job site, changes are expected and planned for—always keeping the project’s safe, efficient completion the top priority.

Finally the project reaches completion. Achieving an exceptional end result is what we strive for, and we are ready to make your project a reality!

Are you ready to see your project finished? Visit the Wright Brothers Contracting website today to learn how we can take a project from beginning to end in an efficient and timely manner.