OSHA fines GA contractor $140K for 'deliberate lack of concern' for worker safety

The agency said Jasper Contractors put its employees at risk for falls and eye injuries on a residential project in Jacksonville, FL.

By Kim Slowey • April 8, 2016

USGBC closes LEED loophole permitting use of illegal wood

The U.S. Green Building Council's effort aims to eliminate the use of wood from illegal logging in LEED-certified buildings and to stymie those operations in general.

By Kim Slowey • April 7, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Legal Issues

Contracts, disputes, change orders and delays can keep builders up at night. Construction Dive covers some of the top issues facing the industry.

By Construction Dive staff

Betting on BIM: Inside the UK's new construction technology mandate

Is there any chance the U.S. government will take a cue from its neighbors across the pond and one day implement a BIM requirement?

By Kim Slowey • April 7, 2016

OR motorists file $2M suit against Kiewit, state over 'crash-prone highway ramp'

The Oregon Department of Transportation said the accidents on the on-ramp were the result of speeding motorists, not construction problems.

By Kim Slowey • April 6, 2016

Court rules against DOL in prevailing wage case due to 'massive, atextual' expansion of Davis-Bacon

The court said the Department of Labor had wrongly expanded the Davis-Bacon Act for the CityCenterDC project to include privately funded developments.

By Kim Slowey • April 6, 2016

Construction groups file petition to block OSHA silica rule

The eight organizations said they believe OSHA did not consider all the evidence prior to making its final ruling.

By Kim Slowey • April 5, 2016

After the dust settles: Construction industry reacts to OSHA's final silica rule

Despite the new legal challenge to the rule, advocates say the safety benefits outweigh the additional costs.

By Kim Slowey • April 5, 2016

Construction company accused in deadly India overpass collapse

Authorities said contractor IVRCL has a history of financial problems and unsatisfactory performance on contracts.

By Kim Slowey • April 4, 2016

$8M proposed FL tiny house community faces major resistance from neighbors

Potential neighbors have filed legal challenges to the development due to their concerns about the types of residents who will live in the low-income development.

By Kim Slowey • April 4, 2016

NY authorities: Contractor charged with 136 felony counts for failing to pay union benefits

Prosecutors alleged that Arbor Concrete Corp. and owner Kenneth Padover did not pay workers more than $250,000 in benefits required under prevailing wage laws.

By Kim Slowey • April 4, 2016

ABC lawsuit against DOL claims 'persuader' rule will 'chill employers' First Amendment rights'

The expanded version of the rule obligates employers to reveal if they’ve consulted with outside sources in developing employee communication about unionization.

By Kim Slowey • April 1, 2016

DC architect sentenced to 33-month prison term for VA bribery scheme

Prosecutors alleged that Mark Farmer paid a VA department head in exchange for inside information to give his former employer an advantage over other firms.

By Kim Slowey • March 31, 2016

Construction unions: Headed for extinction or poised for a resurgence?

The ongoing industry debate centers around greater guarantees of high-quality work vs. the possible drain on construction company profits.

By Kim Slowey • March 31, 2016

Report: CA bullet train's 1st phase could face $400M in change orders

The project has been under a legislative magnifying glass since an LA Times investigation suggested that rail authority officials had not been upfront about its viability or cost.

By Kim Slowey • March 30, 2016

No criminal charges in deadly Berkeley balcony collapse

Prosecutors said they have found no cause to bring charges against the construction company, building owner, or anyone else potentially involved with the collapse last June that killed six people.

By Kim Slowey • March 30, 2016

PA paving contractor barred from working in state, fined $76K

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection said contractor Daniel Fry performed shoddy or incomplete work for several customers.

By Kim Slowey • March 29, 2016

Sacramento, CA, weighs funding options for $3.6B infrastructure plan

City officials said they’ll need local assistance for a list of transportation improvements — as state and federal funding has failed to keep up with demand.

By Kim Slowey • March 29, 2016

CT contractor ordered to pay workers $3.4M in racial discrimination suit

The lawsuit against contractor Safety Marking Inc. alleged that two workers were subjected to discrimination and a hostile work environment for years.

By Kim Slowey • March 28, 2016

Wage dispute sparks union protest at Apple 'spaceship' campus

UA Local 393 alleged that Preston Pipelines is not paying its plumbers the prevailing wage rate, but Preston officials denied the claim and said the matter is in litigation.

By Kim Slowey • March 28, 2016

OSHA issues final silica rule

The construction industry has been one of the biggest opponents to the rule since it was first proposed in 2013, as an industry coalition predicted it will lead to the loss of more than 33,000 full-time jobs.

By Emily Peiffer • March 24, 2016

VA Dept.: No one left to punish in CO hospital debacle

The Aurora, CO, hospital is more than four years behind schedule, and costs have skyrocketed to $1.7 billion — more than three times the original price tag.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

NYC mayor's affordable housing plan scores major win with City Council approval

Mayor Bill de Blasio's plan includes mandatory developer set-asides ranging from 20% to 30%, depending on the residents' income levels.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

MA contractor fined $54K for prevailing wage violations

The Massachusetts Attorney General's office alleged that I.W. Harding Construction Company did not pay employees the prevailing wage rate on 11 state projects.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

UPDATE: Worker's 53-story fall on Turner Construction Los Angeles site ruled a suicide

Turner said that Cal/OSHA and the Los Angeles Police Department determined the fall was not work-related and that the agency could find no fall protection violations.

By Kim Slowey • March 24, 2016

P3s: A growing alternative with potential to capitalize on 'privatized innovation'

Regulatory issues and a lack of education about public-private partnerships are some of the challenges facing the model, according to experts.

By Kim Slowey • March 23, 2016