Construction Materials

US Department of Labor and Holder Construction celebrate 20 years of safety partnership ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its strategic partnerships with Holder Construction Group LLC – collaborations that have significantly improved worker safety and health. Since 2005, these partnerships have focused on reducing injuries, illnesses, and exposure to hazards, while expanding safety training, and promoting strong safety and health programs. The collaboration with Holder supports OSHA’s long-range efforts to foster cooperative safety management between contractors and the federal government. In addition to its partnership with OSHA, Holder Construction demonstrates a strong commitment to workplace safety by supporting national initiatives like OSHA’s Fall Stand-Down and Safe + Sound campaigns, and actively participating in the Georgia Struck-by Alliance and Stand-Down, whi...

US Department of Labor recovers $594K in back wages, damages for 419 workers denied overtime by Florida construction contractor LEESBURG, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $594,313 in back wages and damages for 419 workers after a federal investigation found a Leesburg-based employer failed to pay workers all of their required overtime wages.An investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined Amtex-NMS Inc., operating as Southeast Modular Manufacturing, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime provision by not paying workers time-and-a-half their regular rate for all hours over 40 in a workweek. Specifically, its rounding methods improperly reduced hours that resulted in unpaid overtime for hours worked over 40 per workweek.Investigators also discovered the employer violated federal recordkeeping requirements by failing to maintain complete and accurate records of workers’ wages and hours.“Some employ...

US Department of Labor updates inspection program focusing on workplaces with highest injury, illness rates WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it has updated the inspection program that directs agency enforcement resources to establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses based on injury and illness data submitted in accordance with OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements.The Site-Specific Targeting program is OSHA’s primary planned inspection program for non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees. Using OSHA Form 300A data from calendar years 2021-2023, establishments may be selected for inspection based on:High injury and illness rates from 2023 data.Upwardly trending injury and illness rates based on 2021-2023 data at or above twice the 2022 private sector average.Injury and illness rates markedly below industry averages.Failure to submit an OSHA Form 300A in 2023.The new direct...

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer talks skilled construction jobs, workforce shortages during America at Work visit in Tucson TUCSON, AZ – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer joined Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Tucson yesterday to see Pima Community College’s state-of-the-art workforce development programs in action. Pima Community Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Nasse, Provost Ian Roark, President and CEO of the Chamber of Southern Arizona Joe Snell, and local business leaders joined the Secretary and Rep. Ciscomani to discuss collaborate efforts to build a stronger workforce pipeline. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Rep. Ciscomani then joined a roundtable discussion with members of the Arizona Builders Alliance. The conversation focused on workforce shortages in the construction industry and policies that reduce unnecessary red tape to empower workers and businesses.“With strong growth in the construction industry thanks to President Trump’s America First policies, it’s critical the Labor Departme...

Department of Labor to highlight safe construction work practices during 2025 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging construction industry employers and workers, across the nation, to take part in its 12th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction from May 5-9, 2025. This nationwide event spotlights preventing falls, the construction industry’s leading cause of worker deaths. Throughout the week, OSHA urges employers to pause during the workday to conduct “stand-down” activities, including safety demonstrations, hazard recognition and fall prevention training, and “tool-box” talks about hazards. Employers are also encouraged to have discussions about job-specific hazards, like roofing, ladder use, and working on scaffolds. Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling will participate in the 2025 Stand-Down and provide remarks during an event at ...

US Department of Labor recovers over $1.4M in wages for 2,620 workers after employer failed to pay overtime wages SAN JOSE, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $1.4 million in back wages for more than 2,600 employees after finding a large, San Jose-based electrical engineering and construction company failed to pay them proper overtime rates, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined Cupertino Electric Inc. failed to include non-discretionary bonuses when determining the rate for purposes of calculating overtime pay, which led to the significant wage recovery. The company is one of California's largest electrical contractors.“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to making sure employees are paid properly, including the full amount of their legally required overtime rates,” said Wage and Hour Division Assistant District Director Lilita Hom in San Jose. A subsidiary...

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer statement on April jobs report WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the April 2025 Employment Situation Report:“We’re just over 100 days in, and President Trump has already kept his promise to revitalize our economy by creating nearly half a million new jobs – once again beating expectations this month by 40,000. The private sector is booming, with expansion continuing in critical sectors previously abandoned by decades of failed policies that sold out American workers. The April jobs report showed strong growth in construction, with 11,000 jobs created, and transportation and warehousing, with 29,000 jobs added. At the same time, every dollar is going a little further – burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of living are being eliminated, and wages continue to grow.“With a businessman and master negotiator in the White House, we are finally bringing jobs back to our country. President Trump ...