Author: Nazia Shah
On January 8, AGC staff met with the new Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), David Keeling, and staff members of the Department of Labor (DOL). Mr. Keeling was confirmed on October 3, 2025, to the post. He brings 37 years of safety and health experience to the agency, mostly with the United Parcel Service (UPS). AGC used the meeting as an opportunity to highlight our longstanding partnership with OSHA, while also discussing key policy and program initiatives. Both sides shared the importance of engaging with the regulated community through OSHA Cooperative Programs as a…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is taking a significant step forward in workplace safety by releasing its 2023 injury and illness data using standardized codes. For the first time, OSHA applied the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System to the narrative fields in Forms 300 and 301, enabling more consistent capture of how incidents occurred and what caused them. These codes allow OSHA to better organize and analyze similar cases, making it easier to identify industry trends and emerging risk patterns. By strengthening the clarity and usability of injury and illness narratives, OSHA is improving the foundation for…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published updated resources for its Injury Tracking Application (ITA) to assist with workplace injury and illness data submission for 2025, which began on January 2, 2026. Updated resources include: Visit the ITA Coverage Application to help determine who is required to submit workplace injury and illness data. As a reminder construction establishments with 100 or more employees are required to submit 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. Establishments with 20 to 99 employees continue…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently launched its new Safety Champions Program to help employers develop and implement an effective safety and health program with the goal of preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The program incorporates seven core elements of Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs The program has three self-guided steps – introductory, intermediate, and advanced – which participants may work through at their own pace. Participants may also request a Safety Champion Special Government Employee to assess their safety and health program and step progress at any time. Start your journey today and click…
The Construction Safety Excellence Awards honors construction companies that go beyond compliance – demonstrating strong management leadership, meaningful employee engagement, effective training, robust hazard controls, and forward-thinking practices that advance safety across the industry. CSEA finalists are invited to present their programs in Orlando before a distinguished panel of industry experts. Finalists leave not only with national recognition, but as proven leaders whose commitment to safety strengthens their workforce and elevates the industry. The application deadline has been extended to January 13 – time to get your team recognized! Your people have earned this recognition. Don’t miss the opportunity to…
On December 10, the US House of Representatives introduced the “LET’S Protect Workers Act.” The legislation was introduced by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and is currently co-sponsored by seventy-three (73) other Democrats. As introduced, the bill would increase penalties on employers that violate federal labor and employment law including proposed amendments to section 9 and 17 of the OSH Act. Specifically, the bill would 1) significantly increase the civil penalties for violations of OSHA standards, and 2) resurrect OSHA’s “Volks” rule by extending the period during which OSHA can issue a citation for injury and illness recordkeeping violations. The provisions…
On December 10, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued seven (7) new letters of interpretation focused on several OSHA standards, with some offering clarification on compliance questions that construction contractors may also have. The letters are in response to questions the agency received on the following OSHA rules: This effort aligns with the Department of Labor’s (DOL) commitment to expanding compliance assistance and helping employers better understand their obligations under the OSH Act. On June 2, the DOL launched its opinion letter program across multiple agencies, including OSHA. Opinion letters provide official written interpretations from the department’s enforcement…
Safety Week 2026 invites companies across the construction industry to elevate health and safety not just for one week, but year-round. Since 2014, the commitment and collaboration of participating organizations have helped strengthen safety culture and drive meaningful industry-wide improvements. By joining as a member, sponsor, or advocate, companies support the Safety Week mission while also showcasing their own commitment to protecting workers and jobsites. Online registration is available, with more details on how to participate and support the initiative. Types of Supporters: Learn more and register. Contact Nazia Shah for more information.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) collects and maintains a wide range of data related to workplace safety and health. This includes OSHA inspection and citation data, injury and illness data electronically submitted to OSHA, work-related severe injury and fatality data, and chemical exposure health data. OSHA recently updated and redesigned the OSHA Data webpage to enhance user accessibility and navigation of publicly available OSHA datasets. The redesign organizes all datasets in one convenient location, categorized by topic, and the new layout is consistent with other OSHA webpages, offering a clearer and more streamlined experience for users. Employers, workers,…
Construction Suicide Prevention Week (CSPW) has grown from a regional effort into a nationwide movement, with more than 700 organizations reaching nearly 500,000 workers in 2025. This industry-wide initiative provides free resources to help those in and around the construction community start lifesaving conversations, hold stand-down events, and share support with colleagues who may be struggling. Your sponsorship helps put more tools in the hands of the people who build our communities – expanding awareness, reducing stigma, and giving every worker access to resources that could save a life. Join CSPW in making an impact where it matters most -…