OSHA: Latino construction workers more likely to die on NYC sites

A new report being released Thursday highlights a serious issue for New York projects.

By Brian Warmoth • Oct. 24, 2013

Calif. reopens probe of June death of worker at Levi's Stadium

The state has notified Schindler Elevator Corp. that it is taking another look at incident, which occurred at the future home of the 49ers.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 23, 2013

Architects' group hails SEC nod to crowd-funding as help for construction

The Securities and Exchange Commission has decided to put together regulations that would let startup companies sell shares through crowd-funding websites, and the American Institute of Architects says that's great.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 23, 2013

Shutdown-ending law will mean construction dollars

The law that ended the partial federal government shutdown and averted an end to borrowing contained some notable provisions, including a higher spending cap for a Corps of Engineers project on the Ohio River.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 20, 2013

Email is easy for project communications, but be careful what you write

It would be absurd to expect everyone to drop email and go back to drafting letters and memos about ongoing projects, but an attorney advises following similar rules for tone and content.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 17, 2013

With $98 million at stake, losing bidders protest Minn. I-35E contract award

The state DOT gave the job to Ames Construction and upheld its own action in an administrative appeal, so three companies are going to court to argue that the rules were not followed.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 15, 2013

Why every contract should mean a call to a lawyer before you sign

You wouldn't advise your attorney to be his own builder, so why would you try to go it alone in understanding a hard-won contract?

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 15, 2013

Shutdown may slow road projects as EPA reviewers sit at home

Corps of Engineers workers cannot go to their offices, and design firms fear harm if the shutdown stretches out.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 9, 2013

With E-verify closed, building jobs may go unfilled

Like so much else, the Department of Homeland Security's E-verify system that helps employers stay on the right side of the law is down.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 8, 2013

Tax-bond financing moves ahead for 251-acre KC redevelopment

A medical software company plans a $4.3 billion project on a derelict mall site, and the commission that governs tax-increment financing is on board for $1.635 billion.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 8, 2013

Feds clarify how much road work triggers disability regulations

Which projects on streets are "alterations" and which are just repairs has had contractors and local governments scratching their heads over Americans With Disabilities Act compliance.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 7, 2013

OSHA fines hit $272,000 over NYC scaffolding issues

OSHA levied fines on a general contractor and three subs, with many of the citations relating to scaffolding at a 23-story hotel project in Manhattan.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 6, 2013

OSHA violations: Failure to provide fall protection is still largest issue

Builders need to be aware of the top categories on OSHA's just-finished list of most-cited workplace violations for Fiscal Year 2013.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 3, 2013

Paperwork backlog bogs down construction in Denver

The city-county office that processes building applications in Denver is holding up millions of dollars in work that has come with the economic recovery.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 3, 2013

Government shutdown could impact FY13 construction contracts

Like so many other people who interact with the federal government, contractors have to wait and see if a lack of funds and federal workers will hamper them.

By Ron Gallagher • Oct. 1, 2013

State Supreme Court sides with builders for affordable housing in N.J.

The court reached a decision that has been brewing for a decade.

By Nicole Wrona • Sept. 30, 2013

Builders Association in Ala. adopts streamlined energy code inspections

In order to facilitate the new building codes in the Madison County area, three seperate jurisdictions will each adopt the same energy-code inspection procedures.

By Nicole Wrona • Sept. 30, 2013

Multiple safety violations bring six-figure fine for framing contractor in Mass.

Twin Pines Construction Inc. got on OSHA's bad side after inspectors visited two building sites in Reading and Plymouth earlier this year.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 26, 2013

Chicago contractor cited for second trench-safety violation

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it cited Reliable Contracting and Equipment for the same problem less than 12 months ago.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 25, 2013

Army Corps, EPA working on uniform (and perhaps wider) wetlands jurisdiction rules

They have sent a not-yet-public draft for Office of Management and Budget review, but the agreement may well institute a very broad definition of where the Clean Water Act applies.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 25, 2013

Green construction liability claims have much in common with traditional claims

An attorney says that the specific may vary, but issues over sustainable buildings are still about parties who are unhappy with what they got.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 24, 2013

Report: FHWA can help states use unspent Recovery Act road money from Washington

There are legal ways that the Federal Highway Administration can help states commit unspent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, according to an inspector general's report.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 24, 2013

Equipment dealers say 'no way' to proposed Buy America constraint

A U.S.-Canadian trade group a proposal to restrict equipment bought with federal money to American-made machines is all-around bad idea.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 22, 2013

An invisible skyscraper and rooftop solar: The week's most read construction news

Need to catch up on the week's construction news? Now is your chance.

By Brian Warmoth • Sept. 20, 2013

OSHA tags R.I. company for trench-safety violation

Inspectors spotted a crew from D'Ambra Construction Co. Inc. that had workers laying pipe 6 to 7 feet below ground in a trench with nothing to stabilize it, the agency said.

By Ron Gallagher • Sept. 18, 2013