Legal/Regulation

OSHA cites 5 contractors in FIU bridge collapse, proposes fines totaling $87K

A regional administrator said each contractor "failed to take appropriate action and provide the necessary protections" to employees on the job that day.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 21, 2018

Proposed Detroit ordinance could mandate 51% local hires for all city construction work

City Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield proposed the measure as part of a package of "People's Bills" that she said will benefit Detroit residents.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 20, 2018

How to get an in-house drone program 'off the ground'

It can be daunting for a construction company, consultants said, but if contractors set out clear business strategies and safety protocols, narrow their focus and get other teams on board, there's promise of success.

By Kathleen Brown • Sept. 19, 2018

FERC allows construction to resume on Atlantic Coast Pipeline

The 600-mile pipeline was put on hold after a federal appeals court invalidated permits for where it crosses federal lands in Virginia.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 18, 2018

NLRB reconsiders construction collective bargaining rules

The National Labor Relations Board may change unions' requirements to prove that a pre-hire deal with a contractor has transformed into a full relationship.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 13, 2018

Industry petitions OSHA to establish heat standard

More than 130 organizations asked the agency to establish protection rules for workers exposed to heat, the leading weather-related killer in the U.S.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 10, 2018

Construction exec indicted for trying to bribe DC Metro official

Contractor Hardutt Singh allegedly attempted to bribe the former head of the Metro's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Department.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 07, 2018

Virginia contractor faces proposed $304K for silica violations

Five citations against Roanoke-based Lanford Brothers Co. could result in the largest fine imposed to date under OSHA's new silica rule.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 06, 2018

Missouri contractor under fire for alleged low pay, unsafe working conditions

Delco Construction owner Jeff Delmont said the attacks on his company are a result of his refusal to become a union contractor.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 05, 2018

Contractor sues Brooklyn developer for $3.4M

ICS Builders said it was unable to complete a project on time due to delays, including unforeseen site conditions and deficient plans, caused by Fortis Property Group and other parties.

By Kim Slowey • Sept. 05, 2018

Trump allows 'targeted relief' for some steel, aluminum tariffs

The exclusion applies only to some imports from South Korea, Argentina and Brazil, and many say it's not enough to solve the market's sourcing headaches.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 31, 2018

Streamroller death brings involuntary manslaughter charges

Prosecutors allege that a company head is responsible for allowing an untrained San Francisco worker to operate a steamroller that crushed another employee in 2016.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 31, 2018

Wood high-rises still contentious ahead of ICC vote

The International Code Council will decide this fall whether to support construction of timber buildings up to 18 stories high amid an industry tug of war on the safety of tall wood structures versus concrete or steel.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 30, 2018

Demolition chief faces bribery charges

Rufus Taylor, ex-chief of Cleveland's Demolition Bureau, allegedly solicited and accepted bribes from contractors in exchange for information that would win them city projects.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 29, 2018

Kushner Cos. fined $210K for allegedly falsifying NYC construction permits

The allegations revolve around reporting of rent-regulated tenants on building permits.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 29, 2018

Column

Dotted Line: How to conduct business in a world of discrimination and harassment claims

Lawyers offer some practical advice for contractors to prevent and weather these claims, which they say for many companies are inevitable.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 28, 2018

OSHA cites, fines two Colorado contractors in deadly fall

According to the agency, Hammers Construction and Montes Construction did not provide sufficient fall protection and did not keep employees from standing on the mid-rails of scissor lifts.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 28, 2018

NIST names steps for post-disaster resiliency measures

Per Congress' request, the National Institute of Standards and Technology introduced "immediate occupancy" standards to increase building functionality after natural disasters.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 27, 2018

Federal judge overturns verdict against Rand Construction

The court reversed a jury's finding that the Virginia contractor was guilty of firing a former employee for taking time off due to illness and instead ruled that the company's decision was based on performance prior to that.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 27, 2018

New Jersey authorizes expanded use of P3s

Buildings and infrastructure projects under the new law can be wholly or partially financed by a private partner, but the public entity still will have certain financial and land-use controls.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 27, 2018

OSHA releases free silica compliance tools for contractors

The new resources include instructional video series and a free, confidential on-site consultation service for small- and medium-sized businesses.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 24, 2018

Sacramento latest city to mandate local hiring

The new ordinance requires a 50% local workforce for covered projects, which some say is contentious and harmful to the industry.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 23, 2018

San Francisco to expand background checks on contractors after deadly tunnel accident

The city will intensify its screening of contractors following a revelation that a contractor being investigated in the Twin Peaks Tunnel incident may have had a history of undisclosed safety violations. 

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 22, 2018

LaGuardia subcontractor accused of stiffing workers $40K

Asbestos removal contractor Emlo Corp. and its owner have been charged with failing to pay prevailing wages and benefits on an airport project.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 22, 2018