[VIDEO] Loader Operator Saves Rhino Stuck in Mud

Other than at the zoo, there aren’t many options for Americans to come into contact with a rhino.  It’s also becoming increasingly rarer to come into contact with them in their native countries.  Black rhino populations, like other rhino species, have fallen drastically since 1970.  Savetherhino.org estimates that in 1970, there were around 70,000 black rhinos in Africa, but now there are only around 5,000. 

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Beer Company is Recycling Glass Bottles into a Sand Substitute for Construction Projects

Maybe I’ve had my head in the sand for a while (forgive the pun right out of the gate), but I've recently found out that the world is suffering from a shortage of sand.  The New York Times reports that the increasing demand of sand from manufacturing and construction in combination with rising sea levels and human development of shores is reaching crisis levels.  Sand is used in plenty of construction activities, from mortar to concrete to brick and asphalt.  We use a LOT of it.  In fact, concrete production takes a whopping 80 percent of all the sand that is mined. So what can we do?  One company says the answer is to drink more beer.

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Tesla to Begin Taking Orders for Solar Roof Shingles in April, Install Later This Year

Solar roofs are an obviously popular choice for those interested in conserving energy, but traditional panels are extremely clunky and expensive.  Tesla and CEO Elon Musk announced last year that they have solved that issue, which the impending release of Tesla Solar Roof, which look like a traditional roof shingle.

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World’s First 3D Printed Skyscraper to be Built in Dubai

3D printing has had to overcome plenty of obstacles, including materials, mobility, weather, and height.  Slowly, but surely, technology companies are beginning to overcome these challenges.  A 400 square foot house was recently printed in concrete on-site, in less than 24 hours and in freezing temperatures. Other companies are working on perfecting 3D printed steel for pedestrian bridges. Height limitations seem to be the hardest problem to solve, however.

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[VIDEO] This Blimp-Like Aircraft That Can Transport Construction Equipment Is Incredible and I Want One

Remote sites have extreme challenges, like finding enough staff to work the jobs and being able to get materials to the site. Large mining operations have turned to self-driving dump trucks, like this 320 Ton mega machine, for a few years now. But, Lockheed Martin, a giant in the world of global security and aerospace, has a different solution for remote sites.

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Multiple Government Agencies Propose Bills That Would Punish Contractors Participating in US/Mexico Border Wall

As of early March, there were nearly 200 construction companies that marked themselves as “interested” in constructing the US/Mexico border wallThe Daily Mail now reports that over 600 have expressed interest in the design and construction of the wall.  The Request for Proposal (RFP) package for the conceptual design of the wall was released on March 17th and the responses are due no later than March 29th. 

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46,000 Craftsman Table Saws Recalled for Safety Hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of a Craftsman portable table saw, sold exclusively by Sears Holdings from April 2014 to October 2016 for around $200. The specific saw was manufactured in China by Rexon Industrial Corp, Ltd. of Taiwan.

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[VIDEO] Watch Damaged Big Sur Bridge Fall to Canyon Below During Demolition

Early this year, a landslide caused catastrophic failure to the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge along California’s famous Highway 1.  California Transit officials closed the bridge on February 21st and announced it would be demolished and replaced.  Time is of the essence as US News reports that over 400 residents are stranded on one side of the bridge and helicopters have had to bring in food for them.  The residents are still able to use the footpaths in the area to cross the canyon.

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OSHA Releases Guide for Safely Working with Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are on most typical construction job sites and they’re an often overlooked hazard.  Too often, liberties are taken with the lifts that create unsafe conditions, which can cause injuries and deaths.  OSHA recently released the results of their investigation of 10 fatalities and 20 injuries involving scissor lifts and released their findings in what the organization refers to as a “Hazard Alert.”

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