This year’s theme for Construction Safety Week is “VALUE EVERY VOICE.” The focus is on driving personal ownership of safety, welcoming new ideas, fostering healthy communication, and improving workplace culture. To access all the resources you need to plan your event, visit the Construction Safety Week website.
The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) Expert Evaluation Panel recently released guidance for employers on selecting head protection equipment in construction. It covers the importance of head protection, types of hazards, standards and regulations, choosing the right helmet, and maintenance and replacement considerations. It emphasizes the need for proper fit, comfort, and suitability for the specific work environment.
The AGC Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Forum meets virtually on a quarterly basis to gather/share information, resources, and best practices among stakeholders in the construction industry. The next forum is scheduled for April 17, 2pm – 3pm, Eastern Time. Join us for a discussion on financial literacy programs for employees. Hear from two AGC contractor members about their programs – contents, implementation, lessons learned, etc. If you would like to participate in the forum, sign up here. Until then, you are encouraged to browse the website created to house important and lifesaving tools related to mental health and suicide prevention.
On March 22, at the 2024 AGC Annual Convention in San Diego, California, nearly 60 member companies were recognized across 21 divisional categories in the Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA). The CSEA, sponsored by WTW and Starr Insurance, is the industry’s elite safety excellence awards program. The CSEA recognizes companies that have developed and implemented premier safety and risk control programs and showcases companies that have achieved continuous improvement and maintenance of their safety and health management systems.
As the days grow warmer and longer, excavation activity ramps up. That’s why every year, Congress declares April as National Safe Digging Month. Did you know that there are more than 500 dig-ins to buried utilities and pipelines every day in the U.S.?* That’s more than 500 daily opportunities for serious injuries to workers and communities.
All Categories Post Increases Compared to February 2023, Suggesting Monthly Downturn is Due to Temporary Factors Rather than Cooling Demand for Most Types of Construction Projects
In the weeks following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action to lower the primary annual air quality standard by 25 percent for fine particulate matter or PM2.5 (see AGC article), multiple states have taken legal action and both chambers of Congress have initiated AGC-supported resolutions against the rule.
As set forth in its notice and comment request of February 26, 2024, “Proposed Renewal of the Approval of Information Collection Requirements,” OFCCP seeks to renew and make changes to its construction scheduling letter and itemized listing. These documents are sent to contractors to initiate a construction compliance evaluation and to request relevant information for the evaluation.
Report, Titled “AGC for All” Catalogues Association’s Accomplishments During the Past Year
On March 12, 2024, a federal judge in Louisiana dismissed on procedural grounds AGC of America’s lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s regulation requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal construction projects of $35 million or more. The decision, however, does not prohibit the association from refiling a lawsuit later.