Roundup: Protecting workers goes beyond COVID-19 protocols

Even though the threat of COVID-19 infection seems to be declining, construction pros continue to remain vigilant for other health and safety issues.

By Jennifer Goodman • June 4, 2021

OSHA changes course on vaccine recording requirements

In a 180-degree shift in policy, OSHA said that employers do not need to record adverse reactions from COVID-19 vaccines.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 26, 2021

Judge dismisses COVID-19 lawsuit from contractor's wife

The federal judge said an employer does not have the same duty to protect family members from COVID-19 as it does its employees on the job. 

By Kim Slowey • May 25, 2021

22 states to end federal COVID-19 unemployment benefits

States are cutting off pandemic benefits, and some are offering bonuses in hopes that their unemployed residents will head back to work.

By Kim Slowey • May 24, 2021

Bechtel settles gender pay claims with $200,000 payment

The Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found that Bechtel paid 22 female engineers less than their male counterparts.

By Kim Slowey • May 20, 2021

Pennsylvania lawmaker proposes legislation to prevent 'change order scheming' on state projects

State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill wants to require Pennsylvania agencies to consider evidence of deceptive change order practices when evaluating bids.

By Kim Slowey • May 20, 2021

VP Harris convenes first White House labor task force meeting

"When workers organize, our economy gets stronger," Vice President Kamala Harris said at the inaugural gathering.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 19, 2021

Contractors weigh new OSHA guidance on adverse vaccine reactions

Construction employer groups said the agency's latest COVID-19 vaccine guidance could cause confusion among contractors as to their recording responsibilities. 

By Kim Slowey • May 18, 2021

Home building costs soar due to government regulations, material price increases

Regulations and codes add $93,870 to the cost of a new home, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

By Jennifer Goodman • May 18, 2021

AGC presses feds on time frame for PPP forgiveness applications

The Associated General Contractors of America wants more information about how the SBA is fielding Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness applications of $2 million or more, and why they are taking so long.

By Joe Bousquin • May 17, 2021

Redefining infrastructure and driving tech adoption

What will the new infrastructure bill mean for our industry? A breakdown from our expert panel.

May 17, 2021

Pittsburgh mayor cracks down on construction fraud

Worker payment crimes increase in times of greater competition within the industry, according to a labor investigator.

By Jeffrey Steele • May 14, 2021

We Build the Wall founder indicted for tax fraud

Brian Kolfage allegedly received approximately $350,000 from the nonprofit's proceeds, according to court documents.

By Kim Slowey • May 10, 2021

PPP runs out of funds for most lenders

The cutoff comes nearly four weeks before the Paycheck Protection Program was slated to end. 

By Dan Ennis • May 7, 2021

Biggest OSHA fines of Q1 2021

The OSHA citations this quarter included three fatalities, all involving the use of aerial lifts. 

By Kim Slowey • May 3, 2021

Coronavirus liability laws could be a 'nightmare' for multi-state employers

Construction firms that operate in more than one state face a moving target as they calculate potential exposure on vaccine policies, on-site operations and more end-of-pandemic logistics, an attorney says.

By Katie Clarey • April 29, 2021

White House establishes task force to help expand union influence

Issued this week, President Joe Biden's executive order said a lack of federal support has contributed to lower union membership.

By Kim Slowey • April 28, 2021

Pittsburgh pursues sustainable deconstruction policy

Following similar steps in Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Pittsburgh is betting that recovering materials from condemned buildings instead of demolishing them will support the city's climate and equity goals.

By Maria Rachal • April 27, 2021

Republican lawmaker introduces bill to continue border wall construction

The measure has more than 60 co-sponsors and is one of House Republicans' "five pillars" related to the immigration crisis at the southern border. 

By Kim Slowey • April 27, 2021

Contractor groups ask Buttigieg to waive NY Scaffold Law for $11.6B Hudson River Tunnel project

Construction groups told the transportation secretary that the regulation could cost the project as much as $300 million.

By Kim Slowey • April 26, 2021

What contractors should know before going after public projects

Private-sector contractors can grab a share of the billions slated for infrastructure work if they prepare themselves now. Here are six ways that public projects differ from other types of jobs.

By Kim Slowey • April 22, 2021

NIOSH releases survey to measure worker well-being

The agency's WellBQ questionnaire includes 68 questions spanning five areas of worker health and can be used to measure well-being at the company, industry and workforce levels.

By Joe Bousquin • April 21, 2021

Buttigieg defends climate elements of American Jobs plan

The transportation secretary told the Senate Appropriations Committee that President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan aims to have the country off fossil fuels and toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

By Kim Slowey • April 21, 2021

NJ court says contractor must pay for worker's medical pot

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that M&K Construction has to pay for an injured worker's medical marijuana, but that it isn't criminally liable for breaking federal law by doing so.  

By Joe Bousquin • April 20, 2021

Biden nominates California safety chief as head of OSHA

Douglas L. Parker currently runs Cal/OSHA, which issued its own COVID-19 emergency temporary standard during the pandemic. 

By Kim Slowey • April 14, 2021