�鶹��ý

Are you a student or professional passionate about technical skills and seeking support to kickstart your career in construction? The �鶹��ý Education and Research Foundation is here to empower your journey with our Workforce Development Scholarship. Here's your chance to seize a $1,000 (renewable for two years) scholarship towards your education in accredited technical schools or craft training programs.

The �鶹��ý Education and Research Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Bowen Prize for Great Builders. Established by Robert “Bob” Bowen, this new $1M endowed Prize was announced during last month’s CCC Gala to benefit the �鶹��ý Education and Research Foundation during the Annual �鶹��ý Convention in San Diego.

On April 1, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) published its Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process final rule that made significant changes to its existing regulation regarding individuals that can serve as the authorized employee representative during the physical inspection of workplaces. According to OSHA, the new rule clarifies that consistent with the OSH Act, employee representatives may either be an employee of the employer or a third party. These third-party individuals could potentially include union representatives at non-union worksites, community activists, worker advocacy groups, and personal injury attorneys, among others. While OSHA believes that there will be no change to the current inspection process, �鶹��ý believes that there are significant concerns that could arise from the agency’s new policy. Such concerns include the lack of a formal process for the identification of the representative among employees, lack of notification to employers as to whom this individual may be as well as an established process for employers to dispute the selection, and the limited ability for a compliance safety and health officer to verify the qualifications of the individual or individuals. Further, the new rule could expose employers to increased liability of injury in the event an inexperienced person gains access to a construction site. �鶹��ý is currently exploring options to challenge the new rule, including filing a court challenge.

There are four main project delivery methods in construction: design-bid-build, design-build, construction management at-risk (CM@R), and integrated project delivery (IPD). ConsensusDocs is providing an April 4th Webinar on Construction Project Delivery Meth0ds 101 that will explain how the contracts you sign ultimately determine project delivery methodology. Register here. Choosing the right project delivery method for your project is a fundamental decision for success. All registrants will receive a recording of the webinar.

The �鶹��ý of America Board of Directors approved the Policy Statement on Digital Means and Methods to support initiatives that standardize how digital information is created, transmitted, and permitted for use in construction.

At the �鶹��ý Annual Convention in San Diego, CA, the Highway and Transportation Division by acclamation elected Amy Hall as Chair for 2024-2025. Amy is the Owner of Armstrong Steel Erectors, Inc. and a past president of the Ohio Contractors Association.

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 �鶹��ý 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 �鶹��ý 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.