Legal/Regulation

  • A shadow of a construction worker on a jobsite before a blue background of an OSHA citation.
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    Photo illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Getty Images; OSHA

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    9 of the biggest OSHA fines of Q3 2024

    One of the heftiest citations issued last quarter was to the contractor responsible for the January hangar collapse in Idaho.

    By • Oct. 10, 2024
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    Retrieved from Pixabay.
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    EPA requires lead pipes to be replaced nationwide within 10 years

    The landmark rule imposes the strictest limits on lead in drinking water since federal standards were set 30 years ago.

    By • Oct. 8, 2024
  • A collage shows a notebook with the words "Equal Employment Opportunity Commission" next to a judge's gavel.
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    syahrir maulana/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    EEOC sues Shimmick for discrimination, retaliation

    A woman worker was given the choice to switch to the night shift or hand in her keys after cooperating with an internal investigation, according to the complaint.

    By • Oct. 7, 2024
  • Loper decision ending Chevron deference doctrine
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    Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Chevron decision may lead to environmental suits, permit delays

    The Loper Bright and Corner Post rulings could open the National Environmental Policy Act, OSHA’s heat standard and other regulations to challenges, legal experts say.

    By • Oct. 3, 2024
  • An exterior shot of the Department of Justice building shows the words "Department of Justice" and an American flag flying above.
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    Kevin Dietsch / Staff via Getty Images
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    NJ contractor to pay $950K for allegedly false DBE claims

    The DOJ said Rahway-based MV Contracting sought and won jobs under DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, even though it knew it didn’t qualify.

    By • Oct. 1, 2024
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    gorodenkoff / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Judge partially blocks DOT’s DBE program

    The federal preliminary injunction could have widespread implications for workforce participation goals in federal contracts.

    By • Updated Sept. 25, 2024
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Lump sum contracts benefit engineers, owners in AI age

    The delivery method is best suited for projects with a well-defined scope, such as road and bridge rehabilitation, per a new report from the American Council of Engineering Companies.

    By • Sept. 24, 2024
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
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    Column // The Dotted Line

    How construction managers can deal with changing marijuana laws

    Cannabis use is illegal in just four states but remains prohibited at the federal level. Lawyers say navigating the issue demands a clear-eyed approach.

    By • Sept. 24, 2024
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    Courtesy of Interstate Bridge Replacement Program
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    $720B in IIJA funds yet to be allocated

    Nearly three years into the five-year law, less than half of the money has been announced, according to the DOT.

    By • Sept. 19, 2024
  • In an aerial view, salvage crews use cranes and barges to remove bridge wreckage from the a cargo ship.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Baltimore bridge collapse

    DOJ sues ship owner for $100M over Baltimore bridge collapse

    The Justice Department alleged negligence by the Dali’s owner and manager in court documents filed Wednesday, and said it intends to seek additional punitive damages.

    By • Updated Sept. 19, 2024
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    Art Wager via Getty Images
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    DOE spurs new building energy codes with another $90M

    Construction-heavy states that lack the latest energy-efficiency codes are among the focus areas for this round of federal funding, a U.S. Department of Energy official said.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 18, 2024
  • Salvage crews continue to remove wreckage from the cargo ship Dali after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Patapsco River.
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    Kent Nishimura/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Baltimore bridge collapse

    Construction firm sues owner, operator of ship that hit Key Bridge

    Brawner Builders employed six workers who were killed when the boat hit the Baltimore bridge, causing it to collapse.

    By • Updated Sept. 23, 2024
  • A chain lock over a gate on a construction site.
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    EricFerguson via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Signs that a project partner is in distress

    Noticing the red flags and knowing how to act is vital for fending off potential problems, according to a construction attorney.

    By Dan Rosenberg • Sept. 18, 2024
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    Tennessee Witney via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How to tell if a project owner is in financial trouble

    In today’s volatile lending environment, it's important to know the signs that could indicate a client is in distress, says a construction attorney.

    By Dan Rosenberg • Sept. 16, 2024
  • 18-year Supreme Court terms
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    White House calls for stronger labor standards

    The executive order directs federal agencies to prioritize project labor agreements, voluntary union recognition and high-wage standards for manufacturing grants.

    By Kathryn Moody • Sept. 11, 2024
  • EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows
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    Retrieved from Alyson Fligg/Department of Labor.
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    Racism in Construction

    EEOC settles 3 construction harassment cases for a combined $2.9M

    The federal workplace watchdog took enforcement actions against Florida-based J.A. Croson, New Jersey's Asphalt Paving Systems and Balfour Beatty's U.S. infrastructure arm.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024
  • Overhead view of the silver Mario Cuomo Bridge over deep blue water.
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    The image by Komzet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    NY sues Cuomo Bridge builders over allegedly faulty cables

    The New York State Thruway Authority’s lawsuit says some stay cable anchors have to be retrofitted only six years after the $4 billion span opened.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    OSHA sets late December comment deadline for extreme heat standard

    The agency’s proposed rule would require employers to develop heat injury and illness prevention plans, among other actions.

    By Ryan Golden • Sept. 3, 2024
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    Danielle Ternes/Construction Dive
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    Column // The Dotted Line

    How contractors can guard against wage theft on their jobsites

    GCs need to thoroughly vet subcontractors, use careful contract language and lean on labor partnerships to limit their risk, attorneys say.

    By • Aug. 27, 2024
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    Chunyip Wong via Getty Images
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    6 sustainability trends impacting commercial properties: Cushman & Wakefield

    The SEC’s final climate rule will require public companies to disclose their climate-related risks and greenhouse gas emissions, pending an ongoing legal review, per a report.

    By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 21, 2024
  • Three people in safety gear talk at the top of a building under construction.
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    ljubaphoto via Getty Images
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    OSHA’s walkaround rule raises questions of liability, safety

    Several industry groups have filed suit to stop the change, which expands the definition of who can be present during jobsite inspections.

    By Jen A. Miller • Aug. 15, 2024
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    Zerbor via Getty Images
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    Oklahoma civil contractor indicted in $100M price-fixing scheme

    Sioux Erosion Control and two of its employees were charged for allegedly colluding on prices and rigging bids for highway jobs across the state.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
  • A rendering of a large liquefied natural gas plant that spreads along a riverbed. Two ships are docked in the left side of the photo at the docks.
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    Permission granted by Bechtel
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    Rio Grande LNG ruling underscores risk of megaprojects

    After Bechtel won a $4.3 billion contract for Train 4 of the Texas energy facility, a court overturned the project’s federal authorization, putting its timeline in doubt. 

    By • Aug. 12, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    EPA unveils labels for green construction materials

    The program will support the Biden administration’s Buy Clean Initiative to boost lower-carbon building products on federal projects.

    By • Aug. 9, 2024
  • Construction machinery over a jobsite with broken and twisted debris.
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    Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/TNS/Newscom

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    Idaho hangar builder cited for ‘irresponsible construction methods’

    OSHA fined two companies over $200,000 collectively, just a few weeks after the families of two workers who died filed suit against the contractors.

    By • July 31, 2024