Author: Nazia Shah

The next AGC Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Forum is scheduled for April 16, 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Eastern Time. The forum will focus on a novel approach to critical incident response that combines classic critical incident stress debriefing strategies with long-term (specially trained and supervised) peer support. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER. The AGC Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Forum meets virtually, on a quarterly basis, with the goal of providing a safe space where construction industry stakeholders can gather to share success stories, challenges, and seek/share resources and best practices. For more information, please contact Nazia Shah.

As the days get warmer and excavation projects pick up, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Every April, Congress designates National Safe Digging Month to raise awareness about excavation hazards. Did you know there are more than 550 dig-ins to buried utilities and pipelines every day in the U.S.?* Each one presents a risk of serious injuries to workers and 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, here are six must-follow tips for…

AGC today launched a new, online and self-paced mental health and suicide prevention course designed to help construction supervisors provide resources and support for workers. The roughly three-hour course covers key topics such as the risk factors for mental health challenges and suicide in construction, how to cultivate a psychologically safe work culture, identifying and approaching employees in need, leadership and employee engagement, and human resources considerations. AGC developed the course to address the fact the construction sector has one of the highest suicide rates among all professions. The association collaborated with industry leaders and mental health professionals to develop…

High-hazard activities require specialized safety strategies. AGC’s Focused Topics in Construction (FTC) course, April 21–24, equips you with the skills to prevent accidents, comply with OSHA regulations, and create safer job sites. Over four days, dive deep into critical topics like heavy equipment, fall protection, excavations, and confined spaces—guided by industry experts. Take the next step in safety leadership. Enroll today. Interested in other CSMC Courses? The AGC Construction Safety Management Certificate (CSMC) is a powerful step towards advancing your career and becoming a leader in construction safety. This certificate program goes beyond basic compliance—it demonstrates your commitment to excellence, elevating your knowledge of cutting-edge safety protocols,…

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…