The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to reissue and modify its Nationwide Permits that provide a streamlined process for the Corps to authorize discharges of “dredged or fill material” under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the River and Harbors Act.  Nationwide (general) Permits (NWP) cover construction (and other activities) that, after adherence to identified conditions and mitigation measures, have been determined to result in minimal adverse environmental impacts to federally jurisdictional waters and wetlands (i.e., waters of the United States). The Corps is proposing modifications across the program in addition to creating new NWPs and dividing the current NWP 12 into three separate NWPs.  This article highlights the potential top impacts of these developments on the construction industry and invites member feedback to better inform the association’s response to the proposed changes.

 

With telework arrangements expanding in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2020-5 to clarify an employer’s obligation to track the number of hours of compensable work by employees who are teleworking or otherwise working away from premises controlled by their employers.

 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published new frequently asked questions (FAQs) for workers and employers about qualifying for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) related to the reopening of schools.

 

We’re looking forward to Construction Safety Week, which has been rescheduled for September 14-18, following a delay from our traditional May dates. We hope you all have plans to join us. Through everything that’s happened in 2020, we have both been reminded of just how proud we are to work in construction.

Every year during Construction Safety Week, construction companies reinforce and celebrate our shared commitment to safety with safety meetings, equipment demonstrations, job tours and more. Join us next week and bring Safety Week 2020 to life at your company by planning events on your projects and in your offices.

 

Complete this form to let AGC know if you will allow media to come and cover your safety week stand down event. Certificates of participation can also be obtained during and after safety week by completing this form (opens September 14, 2020).

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Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 320 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2018 (BLS data). The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. Join representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and AGC of America to kick-off the 2020 National Safety Stand-Down (September 14-18) to prevent Falls in construction. During the session, you will hear remarks from the leaders of  OSHA and AGC highlighting the importance of preventing falls in construction as well as contractor members who have taking an innovative approach to raising awareness about the dangers associated with falls in construction.

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Register today. Thinking about getting into federal construction contracting? AGC of America and Smith, Currie & Hancock, LLP are pleased to provide a five-session course on the basics of construction contracting with the federal government, and government entities generally. This course is intended to educate companies considering entering the federal construction contracting marketplace, as well as the less-experienced professionals in construction companies already in the federal arena about its many peculiarities and risks. These 90-minute WebEd sessions will cover the law and practicalities of federal contracting with a view to helping construction companies learn to identify and avoid problems. For more information, contact jordan.howard@agc.org or (703) 837-5368.

 

Generation Z will be the future of construction work as baby boomers retire and a new crowd of young people enter the industry. On this episode, an 18-year old Gen Z expert Josh Miller and two AGC student chapter leaders Anna Bennett and Tyler Korte offer authentic insights on how to leverage their unique skills to improve your business. Discover how to target your construction firm’s training and recruiting strategies to better engage with the 16 to 24-year old demographic.

 

Construction employment increased by 16,000 jobs in August, but the gains were concentrated in housing, while the infrastructure and nonresidential building construction sector lost 11,000 jobs, according to an analysis by AGC of America of government data released recently. The new jobs data comes as association officials reported that a survey of more than 2000 contractors it released this week found growing pessimism about a return to normal levels of construction business amid a proliferation of project cancellations.