Although the Small Business Administration opened its Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness portal on Aug. 10, many contractors have found their banks are not ready to accept applications. The portal allows lenders to submit completed PPP loan forgiveness applications to the SBA for its review.

The importance of safety when working from heights cannot be emphasized enough. It is critical to take the proper precautions to protect employees, which includes conducting detailed jobsite checks to mitigate any hazards that are present and could lead to injury. It also involves thorough employee training that provides a clear understanding of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.

Construction employment in October remained depressed compared to pre-pandemic levels in three-fourths of states despite the fact 36 states and D.C. added new construction jobs in October, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released recently. Association officials added that demand for most types of nonresidential projects remains weak amid pandemic-related uncertainty and urged federal officials to enact a new round of coronavirus recovery measures.

One of the upsides of 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic, if you can call it that, is the accelerated pace of technology adoption by construction firms.

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) has revised its standard for determining the lawfulness of an employer’s discipline or discharge of an employee who has engaged in abusive or offensive conduct —including making profane, racist, and sexually unacceptable remarks—in the course of activity otherwise protected under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”).

Only 30 percent of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs in the past year, according to an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released recently. Association officials said construction employment in most parts of the country was being impacted by the pandemic as businesses and local governments curtail planned construction projects.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 – 1 p.m. CT
CISCA is pleased to offer this free informational webinar with our colleagues at the Gypsum Association. This 40-minute session, presented by Gypsum Association’s Technical and Market Advisor Greg Woolley, will provide an in-depth look at the GA’s code-referenced Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual (GA-600-2018). A brief overview of the Manual will be followed by a deeper dive into the General Explanatory Notes for fire and sound. Often overlooked, the Notes are very helpful in problem solving and code compliance issues. After drawing attention to additional GA resources, the instructor will take questions. Registration is free to CISCA members.

Our all-new, redesigned Construction Excellence Awards entry website is live. Planning to submit for a 2021 award? Applications are due January 31, 2021, so get started now. For complete details on the 2021 Awards, view the awards flyer.