Construction Materials

US Department of Labor cites Alabama contractor for exposing workers to sewage gas that resulted in 2 fatalities BIRMINGHAM, AL – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found numerous safety hazards at a Mobile worksite where Construction Labor Services Inc. workers were exposed to sewage gases, resulting in two fatalities.Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 11, 2025, three Construction Labor Services workers were installing and repairing sewer lines inside of a manhole when they were overcome by sewer gas and became unresponsive. One worker regained consciousness and managed to self-rescue, and the two other workers succumbed to their injuries.Federal safety investigators determined the employer lacked confined space entry programs, procedures, training, and emergency response plans, including plans to determine acceptable entry conditions for confined spaces.OSHA cited Construction Labor Services Inc. with 1...

US Labor Department orders Texas companies to pay more than $200K in back wages, damages to workers fired after raising asbestos concerns HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered two Houston-based construction companies and their owners to reinstate and compensate two workers who were fired for raising asbestos concerns during repair of a hotel after Hurricane Beryl.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated a whistleblower complaint by the terminated employees of Rise Construction LLC, owned by Jivar Foty, and Niko Group LLC, owned by Jessica Foty. The two employees alleged they were fired after raising concerns to the owners about lack of training, asbestos certification, personal protective equipment, and illegal dumping of asbestos. OSHA found that the terminations were in retaliation for making protected complaints under the Clean Air Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act, and ordered reinstatement of th...

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer statement on January jobs report WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the January 2026 Employment Situation Report:“The January jobs report shows that the U.S. economy is off to an undeniably strong start this year, with 172,000 private sector jobs added. Solid growth in construction is proof that President Trump’s America First policies are working their magic, including a notable 25,000 uptick in specialty trades from factory groundbreakings – a direct result of the trillions in historic investments the President has secured. “The numbers are reflecting what I’ve been seeing on the ground throughout my America at Work listening tour. With the support of pro-growth policies like the Working Families Tax Cuts, businesses are ready and excited to expand, and Americans are getting back to work. President Trump is fulfilling his promise to grow the private sector while eliminating wasteful and burde...