Future Construction Industry Trends | Page 40

Geothermal energy - Thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines the temperature of matter. The geothermal energy of the Earth's crust originates from the original formation of the planet (20%) and from radioactive decay of minerals (80%). The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heat from the core to the surface. Global Harmonized Systems - An internationally accepted system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labelling of chemicals. It is a logical and comprehensive approach to: Defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals; Creating classification processes that use available data on chemicals for comparison with the defined hazard criteria; and Communicating hazard information, as well as protective measures, on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Source: www.OSHA.gov Global Positional System (GPS) - A space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. Source: Wikipedia Graphic design - A creative process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas. The designer works with a variety of communication tools in order to convey a message from a client to a particular audience. The main tools are image and typography. Source: AIGA.org Green environments - Are generally healthier, more comfortable, more durable, and more energy efficient and have a much smaller environmental footprint than conventional buildings. Sustainable properties are the future and demand, residential builders, federal government incentives, and local government policy are making driving the initiative for green environments. Hazard recognition - The act of recognizing a chance or condition of being injured or harmed. Source: http://www.fdrsafety.com Hazardous materials - Any substance or material could adversely affect the safety of the public, handlers or carriers during transportation. The Department of Transportation identified nine classes of hazardous materials: Explosives, Compressed Gases, Flammable Liquids, Flammable Solids, Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides, Toxic Materials, Radioactive Material, Corrosive Material, Miscellaneous. Source: USDOT.gov Hazardous materials management - Comprehensive regulations addressing the generation, storage, collection, transport, treatment, disposal, use, reuse and recycling of hazardous waste and material. Source: www.nahmma.org/ Health and Welfare - The general well-being of individuals and societies. It has a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, politics and employment. It includes the built environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation and leisure time, and social belonging. Source: www.dol.gov High performing teams - A concept within organization development referring to teams, organizations, or virtual groups that are highly focused on their goals and that achieve superior business results. Highperformance teams outperform all other similar teams and they outperform expectations given their composition. www.highperformanceteams.com ©Copyright 2014, North Central Texas InterLink, Inc. All rights reserved 40