Legal/Regulation
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With Biden's ETS deadline looming, feds find OSHA compromised worker safety
The U.S. Labor Department's inspector general said that OSHA complaints last year increased by 15% but that federal inspections decreased by 50%.
By Kim Slowey • March 05, 2021 -
Former construction exec sentenced to 27 months, $18.7M in restitution for fraud
At the now defunct MGT Construction in Virginia, Patrick Lindsey moved costs off the records of projects that were in the red to make it appear as if they were making money.
By Kim Slowey • March 02, 2021 -
Contractors consider COVID-19 vaccine incentives for hesitant workers
Construction employers must take care not to violate federal law when trying to incentivize workers to get a vaccination, attorneys say.
By Kim Slowey • March 01, 2021 -
New York creates statewide construction death registry
A new law requires all construction-related workplace deaths to be publicly recorded, which could lead to "compliance by shame," according to an attorney.
By Joe Bousquin • Feb. 25, 2021 -
Permission granted by Florida Department of Transportation
Florida DOT called out Skanska just hours after barge strike
The Florida Department of Transportation called the contractor's storm preparation efforts and response "totally unacceptable."
By Kim Slowey • Feb. 25, 2021 -
How would a $15 minimum wage affect construction?
An increase in the federal minimum wage would mean that construction employers in some states would have to pay more for some types of labor.
By Kim Slowey • Feb. 23, 2021 -
Courtesy of Enbridge
Permitting, regulations add $867M and 3 years to Enbridge Line 3 project
The increase includes final costs for the Canadian portion and fees for permitting delays as well as expenses related to COVID-19 and winter measures on the U.S. side.
By Kim Slowey • Feb. 16, 2021 -
Permission granted by Wikimedia Commons user Lars Plougmann
New York City building inspector charged in bribery scheme
Francesco Ginestri allegedly accepted a $1,200 payment in exchange for not fining a construction company that ignored a stop work order.
By Jenn Goodman • Feb. 12, 2021 -
Tappan Zee Constructors sues New York State Thruway on $4B bridge project
The design-build team that includes Fluor and Granite is pursuing extra money for weather delays, the cost of a crane collapse and what it claims is the interference of the state in its decision-making processes.
By Kim Slowey • Feb. 10, 2021 -
US Conference of Mayors
Walsh's labor secretary nomination advances to final vote
During his Senate hearing, Marty Walsh emphasized the need for safety standards, calling OSHA "one of the first and top priorities for me." His final confirmation vote has not yet been scheduled.
By Ryan Golden , Zachary Phillips • UPDATED: Feb. 12, 2021 at 9:14 a.m. -
NYC Department of Buildings
Workers' group calls out OSHA, demands tougher COVID-19 standards
"People have been exposed unnecessarily," U.S. Rep. Andy Levin said yesterday during a press event with the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.
By Joe Bousquin • Feb. 04, 2021 -
Permission granted by Integrated Builders
OpinionTake these steps to avoid COVID-19 personal injury lawsuits
The more a construction firm can limit workers' exposure to the coronavirus on the job, the less likely it will be liable for either an OSHA violation or a lawsuit, according to attorney Stefan Borovina.
By Stefan Borovina • Feb. 04, 2021 -
The image by U.S. Department of the Interior is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
What a Marty Walsh-led Labor Department could mean for construction
As President Joe Biden's nominee for labor secretary begins Senate confirmation hearings today, groups on both sides of the union issue say that Walsh’s construction experience is a plus for the industry.
By Kim Slowey • Feb. 04, 2021 -
OSHA updates COVID-19 guidance; mandates still on the table
In guidance issued Friday, the agency reinforced its support for the use of face coverings in a focus on prevention.
By Sheryl Estrada • Feb. 01, 2021 -
Firms denied PPP forgiveness can take tax credit, IRS says
A change Congress made in December allows the credit for some Paycheck Protection Program loan recipients.
By Robert Freedman • Jan. 29, 2021 -
Q&A
Biden ramps up the Defense Production Act
It's likely the Biden administration will use the law to spur the creation of critical healthcare equipment and facilities, according to attorney Alex Hontos.
By Jenn Goodman • Jan. 27, 2021 -
Top OSHA fines of Q4 2020 include citations for 4 deaths
The largest proposed fine for last quarter, which involved a fatal concrete mixer accident in Ohio, was for $451,079.
By Kim Slowey • Jan. 27, 2021 -
Lane Construction sues I-4 Ultimate partner Skanska for $132M
Lane is accusing Skanska Civil Southeast of putting Skanska's ownership interests in the $2.3 billion Florida highway project above those of their design-build JV.
By Kim Slowey • Jan. 27, 2021 -
Retrieved from The White House/YouTube on January 21, 2021
Biden toughens Buy American rules
The revised policies, which will apply to the administration's plans for infrastructure and energy projects, will have ramifications for construction firms that do business with the federal government.
By Jenn Goodman • Jan. 26, 2021 -
NYC Department of Buildings
Biden orders OSHA to beef up COVID-19 safety rules
President Joe Biden gave OSHA two weeks to issue new coronavirus guidance, while considering a national emergency temporary standard that could provide a scorecard for workplace infections.
By Joe Bousquin • Jan. 25, 2021 -
Fotolia
Biden likely to raise corporate tax rate
While President Joe Biden is expected to increase the top corporate tax rate to 28%, he may also push for new tax breaks for certain businesses.
By Robert Freedman • Jan. 22, 2021 -
How Biden's Inauguration Day executive orders will impact construction
From a review of environmental regulations to new federal contracting rules and immigration policies, many of President Joe Biden's actions on his first day in office have ramifications for construction firms across the country.
By Jenn Goodman • Jan. 20, 2021 -
OSHA raises penalty maximums, establishes new debt collection procedures
Contractors that don't pay their fines or make payment arrangements will open themselves up to more inspections, the agency said.
By Kim Slowey • Jan. 15, 2021 -
Retrieved from Gage Skidmore/Flickr.
Biden will ask OSHA to reconsider decision to skip emergency coronavirus standards
He will also direct the agency to target the worst violators and increase the number of inspectors.
By Kate Tornone • Jan. 14, 2021 -
AECOM sues Zurich for payment of COVID-19 property damage claims
The contractor says that Zurich American Insurance did not exclude viruses like the novel coronavirus from its coverage.
By Kim Slowey • Jan. 14, 2021
