Author: agcnews
Two Pittsburgh area AGC chapters, the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA) and the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP), have teamed together to launch a new mental health initiative for the Pittsburgh area construction industry. By posing a simple question, “Yinz Good?” (Pittsburghese for “Are you okay?”), the initiative encourages individuals to engage in conversations about mental health and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the workplace. The program reflects the CAWP and MBA’s dedication to the health and welfare of the construction industry’s workforce. By offering a comprehensive collection of resources through a dedicated website,…
Meet Jeremy! Jeremy has been with Burleson Construction Company since 2015. He is a Project Manager leading commercial and industrial building projects. Jeremy is the immediate past President of the Construction Leadership Council with AGC of TN, current Secretary and Treasurer for the Tri-Cities Branch of AGC of TN, and is currently serving on the CLC Steering Committee for AGC of America. Why did you choose to get involved with AGC’s Construction Leadership Committee? I got involved with the CLC Steering Committee to continue my own professional development. I also wanted the ability to have a forum with CLC members…
Termination for cause on a construction project is the equivalent of “going nuclear.” Construction is riddled with claims and litigation, and termination for cause litigation may be the costliest.[i] Construction professionals need to be familiar with the termination clauses in their contracts. This article examines the importance of writing an effective termination for cause provision and how the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and ConsensusDocs standard construction contracts differ on this issue. The contractual requirements governing termination must be followed to terminate a party effectively. This includes giving notice pursuant to the timing and in a format specified in the contract.…
Meet Max! Max has been involved in the construction industry since as long as he can remember. Max recalls talking shop with his parents at the dinner table while growing up and in college serving as an officer for the Pittsburg State University AGC student chapter. After successful experiences with two other electrical contractors, Max moved to the family business and more recently bought in. Max has brought over 15 years of experience in business development, estimating, and project management. Max serves on his local NECA NJATC Apprentice Interview Committee, local CLC board, local Builders’ AGC board, national AGC specialty…
Construction employment increased in 45 states in June from a year earlier, while 33 states added construction jobs from May to June, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. Association officials said the job gains were welcome, but that widespread construction labor shortages mean many firms would likely have hired even more workers if they could find qualified candidates. “Unlike some other parts of the economy, construction is showing no letup in activity,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But with an industry unemployment rate of only 3.6 percent, contractors in…
On July 19, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to require employers to provide employees with proper-fitting PPE to protect them from occupational hazards. This move would align the construction, general industry, and maritime standards related to PPE and further emphasize the need for PPE that properly fits the variety of body types represented in construction while providing the intended protection. AGC of America believes that PPE must fit properly to provide adequate protection to employees and is in the process of working with its safety and health committee to submit comments in response to…
On July 13, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a proposal to update its existing standards to better protect miners against occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica, and to improve respiratory protection for all airborne hazards. MSHA’s proposal would cut the current permissible exposure limit (PEL) of respirable crystalline silica by half to 50 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m3). The proposal would also include other requirements, such as exposure sampling, corrective actions to be taken when miner exposure exceeds the permissible exposure limit, and medical surveillance. Additionally, the proposal would replace existing requirements for respiratory protection. The comment period is…
On July 17, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a final rule that expands the current recordkeeping requirements, and goes into effect on January 1, 2024, to mandate the submission of Form 300-Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses and Form 301-Injury and Illness Incident Report in addition to Form 300A-Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses data from construction establishments with 100 or more employees. Establishments with 20 to 99 employees continue to be required to submit only Form 300A-Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses data. Of concern to AGC is OSHA’s intent to make the data collected publicly available on its website, which…