Legal/Regulation

$15B California school construction bond to go before voters

The move would offer a lot of benefits for contractors that specialize in school construction, but it has also raised questions about the role that project labor agreements play in the measure.
By Kim Slowey • Sept. 16, 2019
Manhattan DA busts labor broker for workers' comp fraud

There are several "easy questions about hiring that any legitimate employer will be able to answer" to avoid the fate of Salvador Almonte Jr., who allegedly cheated his workers out of $1 million in workers' comp insurance premiums, an attorney told Construction Dive.
By Kim Slowey • Sept. 09, 2019
Returning lawmakers could move on several infrastructure bills, including $287B highway act

As Congress begins its fall session, it faces many industry issues, such as road construction and replacing military project funds deferred for the wall.
By Jenn Goodman • Sept. 09, 2019
New USDOT rules would speed up project permitting

For a long time, various federal agencies' environmental reviews processes have been siloed, causing a back and forth that results in inevitable delays.
By Kim Slowey • Sept. 08, 2019
Worker sues Marriott, PCL, other contractors after witnessing construction deaths in Florida

Suing for emotional distress, the plaintiff will likely have to prove a high level of negligence, an attorney said.
By Kim Slowey • Sept. 04, 2019
National Labor Relations Board's independent contractor ruling called 'employer friendly'

Though misclassification of workers as independent contractors doesn't violate the National Labor Relations Act, a legal expert advises contractors in doubt to classify workers as employers.
By Kim Slowey • Sept. 04, 2019
DOL apprenticeship plan stirs debate among contractors

The controversy centers on whether construction should be exempt from a proposed provision that paves the way for standard-setting training programs.
By Jenn Goodman • Sept. 03, 2019
Illinois enacts new retainage law amid national trend

Twenty states have restricted owners' withholding of contractor payments, a lawyer says, and the state's action could prompt others to make the change.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 28, 2019
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Deep Dive
The Dotted Line: When contractors can walk off the job

Certain project dynamics give GCs or construction managers the right to stop work and bill for doing so.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 27, 2019
OSHA consults industry on silica standard refinements

Despite detailed control measures, the agency believes some workers can still be exposed to the breathable hazard and wants field experts to weigh in.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 22, 2019
OSHA fines I-4 Ulitmate JV $15K for worker death

SGL Constructors, a joint venture between Skanska USA, Granite Construction and The Lane Construction Corp., was cited for the fourth fatal accident on the project since construction began in 2015.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 20, 2019
Graham Construction: Equipment that killed worker was 'manifestly faulty'

The general contractor said Canadian prosecutors were right not to pursue charges against it for the 2016 jobsite death of a subcontractor's employee.
By Kim Slowey • UPDATED: Aug. 19, 2019 at 9:54 a.m.
Florida authorities investigating We Build the Wall

The criminal investigation is focused on how the private group behind border wall construction raises funds and allocates money.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 15, 2019
In its largest case yet, New York's DOL recovers $6M in unpaid construction wages

AGL Industries pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny and will have to pay the 500 welders and ironworkers it shorted on overtime pay.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 14, 2019
An inside look at a failed roofing repair

OSHA called the $2 million San Diego State University roof project, in which dangerous volatiles were released, "a case study in what not to do."
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 14, 2019
More states invest in flood control programs

States are finding they have to supplement FEMA funds with their own when it comes to repairing flood-damaged infrastructure.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 12, 2019
Report: Trump construction firm uses undocumented workers

The Trump Organization's Mobile Construction Payroll business unit has allegedly been employing undocumented workers to perform small construction projects at a Trump winery and golf resorts.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 12, 2019
Louis Berger only firm refusing to settle FIU bridge collapse claims

All but one company being sued by victims' families and survivors of the March 2018 Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse have reached financial settlements.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 12, 2019
Unpaid $412K OSHA fine lands New Jersey contractor in contempt of court

If Altor Inc. and its president don't pay up this month, they may face an additional daily penalty.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 08, 2019
Study: Workplace injuries drive rise in overdoses, suicides

An injury triggering at least one week off from work almost tripled the combined risk of accidental and intentional death among women and increased the risk by 50% among men, researchers found.
By Lisa Burden • Aug. 06, 2019
SNC-Lavalin failed to meet minimum technical score for CA$663M light-rail project

An Ottawa, Canada, city official gave detailed bidder score information to the city council after some members expressed concern that the bidding process for the Trillium Line and other projects was not transparent enough.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 06, 2019
SBA raises revenue limits for small business certifications

Under current Small Business Administration guidelines, small construction firms are those with $36.5 million in annual sales or less, but the new rule raises that threshold to $39.5 million.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 03, 2019
Arizona court stops $1B Rosemont copper mine construction

Hudbay Minerals' project will likely face continued delays as the company moves through the appeals process.
By Kim Slowey • Aug. 01, 2019
Canadian proposal would extend residency to migrant construction workers

The country is looking at new ways for its already immigrant-heavy construction workforce to fill a persistent labor shortage.
By Anying Guo • Aug. 01, 2019