There have been several new laws in 2016, or new enforcement styles of existing laws, that are ready to make their mark on the construction industry. Among them are the US Department of Labor’s new rules on overtime pay and the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Act. Both laws affect the amount construction employees must be paid and when they should receive that pay, so documentation of employee time sheets and payments is becoming increasingly important. If your company plans to bid on any Federal Government work, violations of these new laws can keep you from getting the job.
Read moreNew Law May Disqualify Many Contractors from Federal Construction Work
U.S. Department of Labor
2016 has been filled with controversial law changes affecting contractors, like the first increase in OSHA fines in 27 years, OSHA’s new injury reporting rule, and new overtime pay rules. Industry groups have submitted comments hoping to ease the pain on contractors, but have not had any success overturning any of them. The next challenge facing contractors started with the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order signed in July 31.
Read more[VIDEO] Thrill Seekers Are Climbing Construction Cranes; What Can Contractors Do?
Cranes are not only an extremely useful piece of equipment, but they’re also extremely dangerous if something goes wrong. Each year, there are several crane collapses and other crane related accidents that claim lives. Having said that, the last thing contractors need is for adrenaline seekers to start climbing and playing around on their cranes. The problem is, it’s already happening.
Read moreA Lawyer’s Analysis of a $250K OSHA Scaffold Fine and a Contractor's Failed Appeal
Photo by tup wanders, CC BY 2.0
In March 2013, Flintlock Construction was building a hotel at a Manhattan construction site known as the 325 Project. OSHA inspectors visited the site and delivered three separate scaffolding violations that added up to a total of $249,920 in OSHA fines. Flintlock Construction immediately filed an appeal and that appeal was heard in July 2015.
Read moreConstruction Industry Groups Fighting Back Against New Overtime Pay Rules
Back in March, construction industry group members and leaders strongly opposed a final rule issued by OSHA that requires greater protections for workers against silica dust, citing high costs versus minimal safety improvements. This month has pitted the Department of Labor (DOL) against the construction groups.
Read moreOSHA is About to Make Contractor Injury Records Public
As we’re all aware, construction is a dangerous occupation, but just like any business decision, it’s hard to figure out how to solve the problem without having data for back up. OSHA has just released a final rule for employers in high risk industries, including construction, which requires companies to make injury data available to not only OSHA, but the general public.
Read moreYour ‘No Trespassing’ Sign Isn’t Good Enough, Here’s Why
Photo by Jon, CC BY-SA 2.0
We have all seen those “No Trespassing” signs prohibiting access to construction sites, but few may be aware of both the meaning and the specifics of the law applicable to these words.
Read moreDon’t Lie to OSHA: Alabama Contractor Sentenced to 3 Years Probation for “False Statements”
Recently, we learned that knowingly putting your employees in danger can land contractors a prison sentence of two years for involuntary manslaughter. Well, OSHA doesn’t take too kindly to being lied to either.
Read moreHow New DOL Overtime Rules Would Affect Construction Workers and Company Owners
The U.S. Department of labor has proposed an update to the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage policy that would affect nearly 5 million workers in 2016. The purpose of the policy is to require employers to pay their employees overtime rates for any hours worked over 40 per week.
Read moreOSHA Fines Construction Companies Almost $2 Million Dollars for Exposing Employees to Asbestos
Photo by Joe P, CC BY SA 2.0
You’ve probably heard the commercials about it hundreds of times by now, but Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. It is estimated that those who develop mesothelioma only have a 10 month survival time, as the disease is nearly always fatal. In 1989, the United States and the Environmental Protection Agency effectively banned the vast majority of all asbestos containing material. Surprisingly, a court of appeals overturned the ban and there are still more than a few building materials not banned from using asbestos, including roofing felt, cement shingles, millboard, cement pipe, and roof coatings.
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