Author: Nazia Shah
The time has come to make sure your team (and you) are up to date on the latest developments in construction safety. Safety moves fast, so do we. The agenda for the Summer 2026 Construction Safety & Health Conference has been released, providing timely content for meaningful engagement and learning. Here are the daily highlights: Things don’t end Friday either, with the unique 3M Experience blending learning with a night to remember (innovation center tour, Saint Paul Saints baseball game). This is a free addition with registration, as long as you opt-in while tickets last. Take a look at all…
OSHA has launched the Safety Shout-Out Challenge as part of its annual Safe + Sound campaign, encouraging workers to recognize coworkers for safe actions on the job. Using printable “Safety Shout-Out” cards, employees can acknowledge behaviors such as reporting near misses, conducting thorough safety inspections, helping others work safely, modeling safe work practices, etc. OSHA says peer-to-peer recognition can increase awareness of safe behaviors, provide immediate positive feedback, strengthen teamwork, and encourage conversations about safety. For employers, the challenge offers a simple way to reinforce a positive safety culture and engage workers through toolbox talks, safety meetings, and internal communications.…
The recently published 2024 Annual Report of Severe Injuries and Illnesses Reported from Employers Covered by Federal OSHA summarizes the most common severe injuries and illnesses reported to OSHA in 2024, with spotlight pages summarizing reported eye losses, a 10-year analysis of falls and forklift-related injuries, and the SIR Dashboard. The SIR annual reports, dataset, and dashboard include all severe injury and illness reports made by establishments subject to federal enforcement authority (approximately half of U.S. workers). In 2024, the construction industry reported 1,699 severe injury incidents to OSHA, including 1,468 inpatient hospitalizations and 231 amputations. These figures are lower…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., ET. The agenda for this meeting includes: Individuals may submit comments, including attachments, identified by Docket No. OSHA–2025–0001, electronically at https://www.regulations.gov/, which is the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Additional information will be posted to the ACCSH website, https://www.osha.gov/advisorycommittee/accsh, ahead of the meeting. For more information, see the Federal Register Notice and ACCSH website. Contact Kevin Cannon for more…
On April 15, in honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, AGC hosted a Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Forum focused on Alcohol Awareness and Workplace‑Supported Recovery, featuring experts from SAFE Project. The session highlighted how alcohol use affects worker wellbeing, explained key definitions like heavy and binge drinking, and emphasized that recovery looks different for everyone. The presenters shared practical ways employers can reduce stigma, support recovery, and create more inclusive, recovery‑friendly workplaces – starting with simple steps like alcohol‑optional events and open conversations about available resources. The recording and slides are now available on AGC’s website. The AGC Mental Health…
On April 10, OSHA issued its revised national emphasis program (NEP) for outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards in the workplace. Originally issued in April 2022, the revised enforcement policy remains largely unchanged with a few exceptions. The 2022 policy required each OSHA regional office to double their heat-related enforcement activity, while the most recent policy avoids establishing any inspection metrics. Another change in the new policy is the reduced number of targeted industries. Compared to the 2022 Heat NEP, the data update resulted in 46 target industries removed from the tables, 22 industries added, and 33 industries retained, for a…
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) 2026 is set for April 20-24. It encourages drivers to slow down, stay focused, and use extra caution when approaching and passing through a roadway work zone. This year’s theme is “Safe Actions Save Lives”. In 2023, 899 people died in work zones and 82 highway worker fatalities occurred in road construction sites. As part of AGC’s commitment to protecting workers, AGC of America and contractor members will take part in the official kickoff event on April 21 in Farmington, CT. Interested in attending and advocating for safer work zones? RSVP by contacting Jonathon Porter…
AGC participated in OSHA’s 2026 Alliance Program Construction Roundtable on March 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C., joining industry, labor, and government leaders to advance construction safety and health through collaboration. Hosted by OSHA’s Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, the roundtable highlighted cooperative approaches to addressing persistent and emerging safety challenges. AGC’s participation reinforces its long-standing commitment to working with OSHA and industry partners to improve jobsite safety outcomes for construction employers and workers. Key Discussions and UpdatesThe roundtable theme—“Building Bridges: Enhancing Collaboration and Strengthening Partnerships in the Construction Industry”—framed discussions led by OSHA senior leadership, including Deputy Assistant Secretary…
The National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-By Incidents is held annually during National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) to raise awareness of struck-by hazards, which may include falling and flying objects, vehicles and heavy equipment, and crane swing hazards. These incidents are the number one cause of nonfatal injuries in construction and the leading cause of death among heavy and civil construction workers. Fortunately, they can be avoided by careful planning, training, and the use of controls. Plan or participate in a stand-down event by taking a break to focus on struck-by hazards and reinforce the importance of training and prevention: Contact Nazia Shah for more…
As the days get warmer and excavation projects pick up, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. April is recognized as National Safe Digging Month to raise awareness about excavation hazards and the potential to strike underground utilities and pipelines – or “dig-ins.” There are more than 500 “dig-ins” every day in the U.S.* – each presents a risk of serious injuries to workers and impacts to communities. The good news? By following a few key safety steps—including contacting 811 before every dig—you can help ensure smooth and incident-free excavations. Whether you’re working on a large construction project or a routine dig,…