OSHA proposes $106K fine to ID contractor for trench safety violations

The agency's inspectors found workers in 7-foot-deep trenches with no cave-in protection, ladders, ramps, stairs or any other safe means of egress.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 7, 2017

FL contractor arrested for $1M workers' comp fraud

Authorities charged Carlos Contreras with one count of knowingly concealing payroll and one count of scheme to defraud.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 7, 2017

Construction industry pushes back against GOP tax reform provisions

Critics said the tax bill would discourage P3s and prevent engineering and consulting firms from benefiting from a lower pass-through tax rate.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 7, 2017

US affirms final tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber

In a victory for American mills, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that Canadian imports hurt the U.S. lumber industry.

By Mary Tyler March • Nov. 6, 2017

OSHA's electronic recordkeeping rule now in effect

Industry groups have pushed back against the rule's requirements, specifically OSHA's intent to make some data available for public view online.

By Kim Slowey , Mary Tyler March • Nov. 6, 2017

House GOP tax reform bill would kill tax-exempt stadium bonds

High-profile projects like the Atlanta Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Detroit Red Wings' Little Caesars Arena have secured millions in bond financing.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 6, 2017

An end to the leave law patchwork? Bill would let employers opt out of state laws

By providing employees with PTO days and a flexible work arrangement, employers wouldn't need to track state and local leave laws.

By Kate Tornone • Nov. 3, 2017

AGC seeks protections for US–Mexico border wall contractors

The association said the punitive measures local governments are cooking up against wall contractors are unconstitutional.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 3, 2017

Trump taps FedEx Ground exec to head OSHA

The agency, which has been without a permanent chief since January, could see its new head phase out or "sunset" certain standards.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 3, 2017

Court finds union misused strike power to gain work

The decision upheld a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board that found the union had done so to take work away from another union.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 3, 2017

How prefab products get from offsite to onsite — and who's responsible for their safety

When it comes to transporting modular units, the process is significantly more complicated than simply loading them on a truck and taking off for the job site.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 2, 2017

Columbus, OH, tests plan to increase apprenticeships, local hires

An $8 million firehouse project will be the proving ground for the new construction apprenticeship and local employment plan.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 2, 2017

NY Scaffold Law can add millions of dollars to projects

The Tappan Zee Bridge project alone is expected to cost approximately $200 million in insurance to cover Scaffold Law claims.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 31, 2017

Denver construction permit values soar past $3B

Permitted construction activity in 2017 is set to surpass 2016's full-year value of $3.65 billion.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 31, 2017

American Dream Miami construction pushed back another year

The project's billing as an "entertainment destination" has triggered issues with land use and zoning, which developers hope to resolve by the year's end.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 30, 2017

Report: White House considers 7-cent federal gas tax hike to fund infrastructure

The tax feeds the Highway Trust Fund, which could be completely tapped out in the next decade without an increase in or new source of funding.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 30, 2017

Report: Paving the way for a new salary threshold, DOL will appeal overtime injunction

The Department of Labor will reportedly appeal the order enjoining the Obama-era regulations this week.

By Kathryn Moody • Oct. 27, 2017

CA adopts tougher reinforcing steel and post-tensioning safety standards

The state OSHA board has decided to adopt the standards used by the Iron Workers International, which should go into effect in 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 27, 2017

EPA limiting review of potentially toxic chemicals

This departure from what President Obama proposed during his terms will exclude from review "millions of tons" of asbestos-containing material.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 26, 2017

AIA publishes amended architect scope contract documents

The updated versions now reflect the duties architects take on beyond providing architectural services.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 24, 2017

OSHA's silica rule now fully enforced

The agency has released interim enforcement guidelines for the rule while its final compliance directive moves through the review process.

By Mary Tyler March • Oct. 23, 2017

Construction of border wall prototypes nears completion

The Trump administration has not revealed how many winners it will tap to build the proposed full-scale wall or whether the president will weigh in on the decision.

By Hallie Busta , Mary Tyler March • Oct. 20, 2017

White House set to ease drone regulations

A soon-to-be-released program could allow local communities to independently oversee drones flying below 200 feet, sources told The Wall Street Journal.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Oct. 20, 2017

Skyward can now grant instant access to airspace for commercial drone operators

That permission, given through the FAA, will commence this fall, starting with airports in Cincinnati; Reno, NV; San Jose, CA; and Lincoln, NE.

By Mary Tyler March • Oct. 18, 2017

OSHA fines NJ contractor $191K for scaffold safety violations

The owner of the company, DH Construction, has another construction company, which was cited for similar violations in 2014.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 18, 2017