Author: Nazia Shah

The deadline by which AGC is accepting session proposals for the 2025 AGC Construction Safety & Health Conference, July 22 – 24, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN, is quickly approaching. This notice is a call for presentations for a limited number of speaking opportunities. We are looking for experienced presenters to deliver dynamic and engaging presentations related to safety and health. AGC wants to deliver content that will stimulate and provoke discussion. We invite you to share your knowledge and help us shape the summer 2025 experience. For more information on speaker expectations, important deadlines, and how to submit your proposal,…

On January 13, OSHA’s personal protective equipment (PPE) fit for construction standard went into effect. The new rule adds language to the construction PPE standard, 1926.95(c), “Design and selection. Employers must ensure that all personal protective equipment:(1) Is of safe design and construction for the work to be performed; and (2) Is selected to ensure that it properly fits each affected employee.” What can construction firms do to help ensure that their workers have a properly fitting PPE? What best practices can be put in place to help ensure selected PPE works together and encourage workers to wear the PPE the entire time exposed?…

On January 22, AGC of America, at their semi-annual Construction Safety & Health Conference, recognized three members for their decades-long contribution to the safety and health profession, the association, and its safety and health committee. James T. Goss, Sr., Safety Consultant at HCSS, was presented with the Outstanding Service and Dedication to Safety and Health award by his son Matthew Goss, Director Environmental Health & Safety at Stark Tech. “This year’s recipient has been a dedicated member of AGC for over 25 years, serving 20 years as a trainer, 15 years on the AGC Safety & Health Committee, and as…

On January 17, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that Scott Ketcham has been named as deputy assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ketcham brings more than 20 years of OSHA experience to his new role at the national office. He recently led the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and served for almost five years as the director of OSHA’s Directorate of Construction, after two years as the directorate’s deputy director. His career at OSHA includes roles as assistant area director, area director, deputy regional administrator and compliance officer. Before joining OSHA, Ketcham worked as a…

On January 15, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it terminated its pursuit of a final COVID-19 standard to protect workers in healthcare settings. The agency cited the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the ongoing infectious diseases rulemaking as reasons for halting their efforts. On June 21, 2021, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to protect workers from COVID-19 in healthcare settings, which also served as a proposed rule on which OSHA requested comments. The scope of the proposal explicitly stated that it would only apply to settings where any employee provides healthcare services or…

On January 14, AGC submitted comments in response to OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The proposed rule is a result of an effort by the agency going back more than three years. The NPRM focused on the basic elements of a heat injury and illness prevention program, which include water, rest, shade, acclimatization, and training and education. OSHA presented the standard as a performance-based standard that would allow employers to tailor programs specific to their operations.  However, the proposed regulatory text does not provide the level of flexibility needed for the construction industry, presenting significant…

On January 14, the U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) civil penalty amounts based on inflation for 2025. In 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act to advance the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. Under the Act, agencies are required to publish “catch-up” rules that adjust the level of civil monetary penalties and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. The maximum OSHA penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations will increase from $16,131 to…

Establishments that meet certain size and industry criteria are required to electronically submit injury and illness data from their OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), and Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report) once per year to OSHA. OSHA collects this work-related injury and illness data through the Injury Tracking Application (ITA). Construction establishments with 20 to 99 employees continue to be required to submit only Form 300A data. Establishments with 100 or more employees are mandated to submit Form 300 and Form 301 in addition to Form 300A data. For detailed information on…

The National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program has been an ongoing effort since 1991 to offer member companies an opportunity to evaluate their safety record. The NASA compares an AGC member’s safety record with other AGC members according to the member size and construction type. Additionally, the NASA provides a great opportunity for members who have excellent safety records to compete for nationally recognized awards. AGC works closely with our network of chapters to administer this program. To participate, follow the instructions below. Awards are given to members who have a zero-incidence rate or who have an incidence rate 25…

On January 8, AGC and its partners on the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) met with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to discuss OSHA’s intent to cover construction under their proposed infectious disease standard, and urge them to reverse that decision. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which was submitted to OIRA on November 8, 2024, would cover construction work and activities in the same manner as maintenance or custodial workers directly employed at healthcare facilities covered under the proposal. During the meeting, representatives of the coalition highlighted the construction industry’s current efforts to protect their workers in…