Author: agcnews

On May 10, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a memorandum titled Interim Guidance for Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process. The memorandum provides interim guidance for implementing the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process final rule (“Walkaround rule”), which was published on April 1, 2024, and went into effect on May 31, 2024. This rule clarifies that employee representatives during OSHA inspections can include third-party individuals if deemed necessary by Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs). Key points include: Field staff were directed to familiarize themselves with the rule’s FAQs and the preamble to address questions from employers and employees effectively. For additional information…

Earlier this year, AGC of America filed a coalition amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, supporting a water utility sector’s request for the Court to clarify whether Clean Water Act (CWA) NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits can include generic prohibitions. AGC members have noted these generic prohibitions in permits nationwide. This language does not provide a compliance path for permittees and exposes them to enforcement, criminal penalties, and citizen suits for activities that conform to the permit. On May 28, the Court issued an order granting certiorari, meaning it will hear the case. The Feb. 12th coalition amicus brief urged…

On May 17, AGC and its coalition peers responded to a recent White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) request for feedback on methods and practices for advancing public participation and community engagement (PPCE). The comments urge the agency to recognize the importance of engagement with the regulated community, enhance participation and accessibility, and improve transparency. According to OMB, the agency is working to develop a government-wide framework, common guidelines, and leading practices for PPCE and requested recommendations on methods, approaches, and available tools. In addition to highlighting the need for the federal government to include the regulated community in these efforts, the…

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson is joined by key members of the carbon reduction taskforce Myrrh Caplan from Skanska USA, Joe Rozza from Ryan Companies, and AGC’s own Melinda Tomaino. They delve into the creation and significance of the AGC Decarbonization Playbook, discussing its formation, key drivers, content, and expected outcomes. Learn about the collaborative efforts behind the playbook, the challenges and solutions in carbon reporting, and the future of decarbonization in the construction industry. Guests:Myrrh Caplan | National Vice President – Sustainability | Skanskawww.skanska.com Joe Rozza | Chief Sustainability Officer | Ryan Companieswww.ryancompanies.com Melinda Tomaino |…

Construction employment rose in 218, or 61 percent, of 358 metro areas between April 2023 and April 2024, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials noted that construction employment is growing in fewer metro areas than earlier this year, but said demand remains strong enough in much of the country that many contractors continue to struggle to find enough workers. “Job gains were less widespread in the latest 12 months than earlier in 2024 as homebuilders and developers throttled back,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, with demand surging for…

On May 22, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed the AGC-backed Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024). The bipartisan WRDA 2024 bill will help ensure that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works Program is appropriately responsive to the water resources needs identified by local communities. Specifically, the bill authorizes 81 feasibility studies and the construction of 8 new or modified projects. WRDA 2024 invests in our harbors and inland waterways, which helps to ensure construction materials make it to the jobsite in a timely manner. The water infrastructure bill permanently adjusts the inland waterways…

The AGC Labor and Employment Law Council held its 39th Annual Construction Labor Law Symposium on May 2-3, 2024, in Washington, DC. The Council is a network of attorneys who regularly represent AGC members and chapters in labor and employment matters. It holds an annual continuing legal education symposium such attorneys and for chapter labor staff. Symposium participants heard presentations on the following topics: The program also featured a presentation by guest speaker Richard Bock, head of the National Labor Relations Board’s Division of Advice, and a “fireside chat” with Jessica Looman, administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour…

Addresses Legal Developments and Emerging Issues, Including Virtual Work Environments The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently published final guidance on harassment in the workplace, “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace.” By providing this resource on the legal standards and employer liability applicable to harassment claims under the federal employment discrimination laws enforced by the EEOC, the EEOC intends to help people feel safe on the job and assist employers in creating respectful workplaces. The new guidance addresses federal laws that protect covered employees from harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical…

16 Additional Federally Funded Projects Designated The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently announced that it is scaling up its Mega Construction Project (Megaproject) Program by designating 16 additional federally funded construction projects as megaprojects. OFCCP launched the Megaproject Program in March 2023. Megaprojects are large federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more – some part of which must be federal funding – and that last more than one year. For the 16 newly designated megaprojects, OFCCP partnered with the Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Transportation and U.S.…

Looking to tackle your biggest construction HR & workforce challenges? There’s no better place than AGC of America’s Construction HR & Workforce Conference! After a successful conference in 2023, we’re once again combining the best elements of a few AGC events to facilitate even better conversations between folks in construction HR & workforce development. Interested? Check out the event details below and start planning your conference experience! Where: Grand Hyatt Denver When: October 20-22, 2024 Registration Rates: Before July 19 (Members Only): $699 | After July 19 (Members): $835 | Non-Members: $989 The Construction HR & Workforce Conference will focus on the intersection…