Labor/Safety

First bucket of infrastructure act funds heads to states for water, lead pipe remediation

The investment is the federal government's most significant effort to address the country's lead pipes, though it's likely not enough to replace all of them.

By Julie Strupp • Dec. 7, 2021

Tennessee suspends vaccine mandate exemptions for federal contractors following court ruling

A judge's ruling on vaccine mandates in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee last week is the latest in a "quagmire of regulations" affecting construction employers, according to an attorney.

By Zachary Phillips • Dec. 7, 2021

Timeline: What's next for the OSHA vaccine mandate?

The Supreme Court would have to go "pedal to the metal" to rule on the ETS before its expiration date, according to an employment lawyer.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 6, 2021

Take a STAND: How to combat suicide in construction

John Somers, vice president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, provides a roadmap to implement a suicide prevention program on the jobsite.

By John Somers • Dec. 2, 2021

Clark exec urges new workers to view career climb as a 'jungle gym instead of a ladder'

With nearly 25 years in the industry, Andree Yaap has worked on several major healthcare projects in the Washington, D.C., region.

By Jennifer Goodman • Dec. 1, 2021

Federal contractor minimum wage to rise to $15 an hour

The legislation's effect on the construction industry will likely be minimal, as most firms that work with the federal government already pay a higher wage.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 23, 2021

South Carolina governor invests millions for trade school scholarship program

Henry McMaster directed $17 million to Workforce Scholarships for the Future, calling on the General Assembly to allocate an additional $124 million.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 19, 2021

Infrastructure act likely to spur higher construction wages

An influx of civil spending will bring skyrocketing demand for a shrinking labor pool, industry experts told Construction Dive.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 18, 2021

Construction groups encourage vaccines as they decry OSHA mandate

Three organizations have shared strong words about the directive, which they say will not effectively encourage workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 18, 2021

New OSHA directive aims to improve communication with families after workplace deaths

The initiative seeks to ameliorate issues with how the agency interacts with relatives of the deceased through each step of an investigation.

By Jeffrey Steele • Nov. 11, 2021

Helmets to Hardhats exec: Veterans can help combat construction labor issues

As the country celebrates Veterans Day, the organization's new executive director discusses how former service members can help solve the industry's worker shortage.

By Leslie Shaver • Nov. 11, 2021

Mortenson shuts down Meta jobsite for second time due to racist graffiti

The contractor imposed another site-wide stand down at the Utah data center project earlier this week.

By Joe Bousquin • Updated Nov. 18, 2021

Should employers wait out OSHA's vaccine mandate? 'If you're a gambler.'

Who pays for testing? Which legal arguments are likely to come up in court? Attorneys tackled these questions and more after last week's announcement.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 9, 2021

Court stays ETS employer vaccine mandate

The 5th Circuit ordered the stay due to "grave statutory and constitutional issues with the mandate."

By Kathryn Moody • Updated Nov. 8, 2021

'Once-in-a-generation' $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill heads to Biden's desk

The legislation, long-awaited by many in construction, includes $110 billion for roads and bridges and $66 billion for passenger and freight rail.

By Julie Strupp • Nov. 8, 2021

Should climate change, racial equity factor into OSHA's new heat standards?

The agency is soliciting comments on topics ranging from heat-stress thresholds to exposure monitoring.

By Katie Clarey • Nov. 4, 2021

OSHA's new COVID vaccine standard: What contractors need to know

Some states are planning a legal challenge to the new ETS, but attorneys are advising clients to move forward with compliance.

By Ryan Golden • Updated Nov. 5, 2021

Advice from a female superintendent: 'Be assertive'

Adolfson & Peterson's Beth Butler says women in construction should speak up and not be afraid to ask a lot of questions.

By Jennifer Goodman • Nov. 3, 2021

What can construction employers learn from 'Striketober'?

Here's what contractors need to know as workers from many industries fight to improve pay rates and conditions.

By Emilie Shumway • Nov. 3, 2021

These 3 construction-related majors provide the most bang for the buck

A new analysis of college degrees with high salaries and strong job security shows several of the best bets are in the construction industry.

By Julie Strupp • Nov. 3, 2021

Locking in materials costs and trade partners early helps A&P mitigate shortages

Adolfson and Peterson is securing materials and subs before projects begin, according to division president Will Pender.

By Leslie Shaver • Nov. 2, 2021

Florida's infrastructure gets 'C' grade

The Sunshine State's scores from the American Society of Civil Engineers range from a D- for dams to a B+ for solid waste facilities.

By Julie Strupp • Nov. 2, 2021

Construction's career crisis: Keeping workers on site and in the industry

Climbing out of the labor shortage requires training new leadership, changing jobsite culture and investing in technology and safety, experts say.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 1, 2021

Is 'Striketober' the moment construction unions have been waiting for?

The convergence of worker shortages, supply chain snarls and vaccine mandates could give labor the upper hand at the bargaining table, experts say.

By Joe Bousquin • Oct. 28, 2021

PepsiCo to boost wearable technology use after workers see injury reductions

Thousands of Frito-Lay employees cut back on improper lifting and posture when using a device that alerted them to unsafe movements, reducing strain and sprain injuries by 19%, a new study said.

By Max Garland • Oct. 27, 2021