In a series of interactive webinars, U.S. government agencies and private sector partners will explore the role of public-private sector collaboration in addressing drug challenges. Join participants from around the country to listen to expert speakers from the full range of relevant sectors, inside and outside of government. The webinar week will be held September 21–25, 2020. Each day will showcase a distinct aspect of the drug crisis, and the fact- and outcome-driven discussions will explore creative and practical measures to strengthen our collective response.

During the week of September 14, AGC and its members engaged in various efforts to celebrate the industry’s shared commitment to safety. The week kicked-off with a virtual event led by AGC’s CEO, Steve Sandherr, along with officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Loren Sweatt. The event also included a presentation from OSHA’s Directorate of Construction as well as a preview and discussion of the innovative approach one-member contractor has taken to raise awareness of the dangers associated with falls from ladders at various heights. In addition to the kick-off event, AGC made available several free training and education resources from our key partners and friends. If you are interested in receiving a certificate of participation for your construction safety week event(s), you can complete the required form, found here.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted revisions to regulations that implemented the paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The revisions come as a result of a federal court decision that found portions of the regulations invalid.

Pre-Conference Federal Construction HR Workshop Returns

Learn More at AGC’s Construction HR and Training Virtual Conference

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.

Learn More at AGC’s Construction HR and Training Virtual Conference
Postponed and Canceled Projects Proliferate, Yet Majority of Firms Report Difficulty Filling Hourly Craft Positions; Officials Urge Immediate Federal Action to Fund Infrastructure and Enact Liability Reforms

Sixty Percent of Firms Report Future Projects Have Been Canceled or Delayed, But 52 Percent of Firms Struggle to Find Craft Workers Amid Worker Fears of COVID and Unemployment Supplement

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.