Construction Materials

Federal investigators cite Florida roofing contractor for willfully, repeatedly ignoring fall protection standards, propose $349K in fines ORLANDO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida roofing company for willfully putting workers at risk of falling at residential construction sites. Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Jan. 21, 2026, Orchids Builders LLC exposed workers to a 10-foot fall hazard when it failed to provide them with fall protection while they installed sheathing on a sloped roof at a Rockledge worksite. On March 10, 2026, OSHA investigators found the employer exposed a worker to a 9-foot fall hazard while installing metal hurricane clips at another Rockledge worksite. OSHA also found that Orchids Builders failed to prepare and maintain written fall protection training certificates for employees at both worksites, did not ensure workers had eye protection while using nail guns,...

US Department of Labor fines Houston utility contractor $343K after worker hospitalized following excavation collapse at Brazoria County work site HOUSTON – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation concluded that a Houston utility construction company exposed employees to safety hazards after an excavation collapse hospitalized a worker.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an investigation into Blazey Construction Services LLC following the incident, which occurred while crews were installing sewer and water pipes for a residential development in Alvin, Texas. OSHA determined that the employer failed to adequately protect the excavation, provide a safe means of egress, and report the hospitalization within 24 hours as required by federal law. OSHA cited Blazey Construction Services for two repeat violations and one other-than-serious violation and proposed $343,797 in proposed penalties.The company has 15 business days from receipt of ...

US Department of Labor seeks input from West Virginia highway construction industry to establish prevailing wage rates WEST VIRGINIA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division is asking the highway construction industry of West Virginia to participate in a survey to help the agency establish prevailing wage rates, as required under the Davis-Bacon Act and Related Acts, for the payment of construction workers on federally funded and federally assisted construction projects.The survey requests information about wages paid to workers on highway construction projects in West Virginia where construction occurred between Aug. 3, 2025, and Nov. 2, 2026. This is a statewide survey and is not limited to only federally funded construction projects. The data collection period will begin Aug. 3, 2026, and will conclude on Nov. 2, 2026. Participation in the survey process is critical to the publication of prevailing wage and fringe benefit rates that accurately reflect the ra...

Acting Secretary Sonderling statement on June jobs report WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling issued the following statement regarding the June 2026 Employment Situation Report:“The policies championed by President Trump and the Working Families Tax Cuts continue to drive private-sector employment, accelerating from last year. This administration has created more than 900,000 jobs while keeping government employment at its lowest levels since 1966. The certainty that our manufacturers and construction sectors are seeing thanks to the permanency of key tax provisions will fuel economic growth for American businesses, families, and workers across the country. The June Jobs Report added 57,000 jobs marking the fourth consecutive month of positive payroll growth. Manufacturing employment, which was devastated under the Biden Administration, continues to grow as we secure historic investments and reshoring of critical industries.President Trump’s America first ...

US Department of Labor announces nearly $13M available in funding for worker safety, health training grants WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $12.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support the delivery of training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards.Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the grants aim to advance the job quality of the American workforce by providing instructor-led training opportunities for workers and employers in small businesses with an emphasis on industries with high injury, illness, and fatality rates.The grants will fund training and education on hazard awareness, avoidance, and controls to protect workers from on-the-job hazards, and to inform workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Applicants may apply in the fol...

Acting Secretary Sonderling statement on May jobs report WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling issued the following statement regarding the May 2026 Employment Situation Report:“President Trump and this Administration once again produced the best month of job creation since taking office, demolishing economists’ expectations. This Administration is proving the cynics wrong and American workers, families, and businesses are winning.The May Jobs Report overperformed on every level, adding 172,000 jobs and marking the third consecutive month of positive payroll growth. Thanks to President Trump, manufacturing jobs are up 25,000 in 2026 and construction jobs have increased by 71,000 since he took office – a true testament to this Administration’s priorities.Under the President’s leadership, American workers are seeing benefits in real time: rising wages, increased affordability, and over 903,000 private sector jobs added. The Department of Labor remains committe...

Acting Secretary Sonderling statement on April jobs report WASHINGTON – U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling issued the following statement regarding the April 2026 Employment Situation Report:“Despite doom-and-gloom rhetoric from pundits and economists, America’s economic comeback is clearly accelerating under President Trump, with job growth now shattering expectations two months in a row. 115,000 jobs were added in April, doubling expectations and proving 94% of Bloomberg economists wrong. The unemployment rate remained steady and total private sector job growth under this Administration now stands at more than 700,000 new jobs.“Thanks to President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts, job creators were clearly feeling empowered this tax season and are investing in American workers. Our skilled workforce is seeing the benefits, with continued job growth in construction and a strong 5.2% year-over-year increase in manufacturing weekly earnings.“The President is bringing work...

US Department of Labor highlights safe construction practices during 2026 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging construction employers and workers nationwide to participate in the 13th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, taking place May 4-8, 2026.The nationwide event focuses on preventing falls, the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, and reinforces the importance of planning, training, and hazard awareness to protect workers.Because falls continue to pose a significant risk in construction, OSHA is making prevention a top priority. Through efforts like the Safety Stand-Down, the agency is working to drive real change and emphasizing that lasting progress is achieved through employers, workers, and industry partners working together.OSHA encourages employers to pause work throughout the week and engage employees ...

Department of Labor finds New Mexico company wrongfully fired inspector who raised concerns during gas pipeline installation at Oklahoma site OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered a New Mexico-based inspection company to reinstate and compensate a terminated worker who reported safety concerns during installation of a natural gas pipeline in Watonga, Oklahoma.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated a whistleblower complaint filed against Legacy Energy and Distribution LLC that alleged a construction crew was installing a pipeline without following federal regulations. The complainant used “stop work authority” to halt the installation and contacted an independent, third-party testing company to verify observed concerns, which Legacy later confirmed as valid. Legacy subsequently fired the inspector, alleging failure to follow the established chain of command and complete the probationary period.OSHA determined that Legacy wrongfull...

US Department of Labor investigation finds Alabama construction company exposed workers to trenching hazards following fatal incident HUNTSVILLE, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Huntsville-based home builder with eight serious safety violations after an investigation into a worker’s fatality in December 2025 found the employer exposed construction workers to multiple safety hazards during groundwork prep.Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration learned that workers for Breland Homes Inc. were installing a sewage drainpipe in a Madison County subdivision when a trench collapsed on a construction laborer. OSHA concluded that Breland Homes had allowed the decedent to work in an unprotected and unsupported section of the trench. In addition, OSHA found multiple safety violations, including failure to train workers to recognize unsafe conditions in trenching, allowing workers to conduct duties without protective helmets, and p...

California construction contractor ordered to pay back wages, damages to 137 workers denied overtime, minimum wages NEWPORT BEACH, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment to recover $468,505 in back wages and damages for 137 construction workers denied minimum wage and overtime pay by a Newport Beach construction company, in violation of federal law. On Dec. 17, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California approved the judgment against SCA General Contracting and operators Sundeep Pandhoh and Gary Tetone. The court action follows an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division that found the employers’ pay practices violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.From Nov. 1, 2024, through Nov. 30, 2025, the division determined that the employers repeatedly missed payroll, failed to pay workers minimum wage, did not pay overtime for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, and retaliated against employees who compl...

US Department of Labor, Mascaro Construction Co. partner to promote safety, health during Heinz History Center expansion PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed a strategic partnership with Mascaro Construction Co. to promote worker safety and health during a major expansion of the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.The partnership between the OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office and the construction company seeks to prevent work-related injuries, control and eliminate serious workplace hazards, and establish a foundation for an effective safety and health program.This initiative will also assist contractors in developing and implementing safety and health management systems and train subcontractors on recognizing hazards when working in and around construction sites.Partners will emphasize leadership engagement, accountability measures, worker participation strategies, and robust hazard identification protocols. The He...

US Department of Labor files suit alleging South Dakota construction company wrongfully fired whistleblower for reporting work-related injury SIOUX FALLS, SD – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against a Valley Springs construction contractor for the wrongful termination of an employee who reported a severe work-related injury.An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the employee received second- and third-degree burns from scalding water in a pressurized pipe. OSHA determined Stone Hill Excavation LLC, and its successor Split Rock Sand & Gravel, violated the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act by firing the worker two days after the injury was reported.The department’s suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, asks the court to hold the company and its successor liable for illegal retaliation. It also calls for the reinstatement of the employee and...

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer statement on March jobs report WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the March 2026 Employment Situation Report:“One year since Liberation Day, America’s economic comeback is on full display: Job growth smashed expectations, with a remarkable 178,000 jobs added in March. President Trump’s economic policies are working as planned, and Americans are feeling the benefits as we reindustrialize our nation after years of decline under the previous administration.“Through the Working Families Tax Cuts, historic private investments, and fair trade policies, President Trump is putting more money in Americans’ pockets and empowering job creators. This is evident through strong growth in construction jobs, particularly factory construction, and manufacturing having its first positive quarter in several years – proving that we are bringing production back to the United States.“Thanks to President Trump’s America ...

US Department of Labor cites construction contractor with 7 willful, 33 repeat violations after fatal Yarmouth cave-in BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Massachusetts-based water and sewer line construction contractor for willfully and repeatedly exposing workers to safety hazards in a trench collapse in November 2025 that claimed the life of an employee and seriously injured another at a Yarmouth worksite.   The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation into the Nov. 18, 2025, incident found that workers from Revoli Construction Co. Inc. were removing sandy soil and installing steel plates outside of a trench. While working, the backfilled sand collapsed and trapped two workers inside the trench. One worker was engulfed and sustained fatal injuries.“This cave-in is a solemn reminder of the dangers construction workers face when basic safety procedures and safe engineering solutions are ignored. Through our trench safety ini...

US Department of Labor cites Florida construction contractor after 2 workers severely injured, 1 fatally electrocuted SEMINOLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor cited a Florida utility construction contractor for Duke Energy after one worker was electrocuted and two others injured at a Seminole site in August 2025.Investigators with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined a work crew from Primoris Services Corp. – operating as Primoris T&D Services LLC – was replacing a utility pole when the pole contacted an energized overhead transmission line, fatally electrocuting a lineman and sending two other workers to the hospital.OSHA cited the employer with three serious violations for failing to ensure employees maintained the required minimum approach distance from exposed energized parts or have the transmission line deenergized, assign a designated observer to monitor approach distances and provide warnings, and ensure the job briefing covered spec...

US Department of Labor recovers more than $293K in back wages for 56 construction workers denied overtime by Idaho company NAMPA, ID – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $293,698 in back wages for 56 workers employed by a Nampa-based residential construction company after a federal investigation found the employer denied them overtime pay in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined Speedy’s Framing LLC paid employees straight time rates for hours worked over 40 in a workweek instead of paying the federally mandated overtime premium. The division also found the employer failed to pay travel time for one foreman who drove the employer’s vehicles between the shop and work sites, which resulted in additional unpaid overtime. The division recovered back wages for each affected worker ranging between $90 and $32,047. The employer also paid a $24,795 civil money penalty due to the willful nature of the violati...

US Department of Labor cites Florida air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after worker fatality FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that on Aug. 28, 2025, a Hyvac Inc. pipefitter installing a new air-conditioning system for a mall expansion construction project was fatally injured from a pressurized HVAC piping system. The employer was cited with two serious violations for exposing workers to struck-by hazards by not verifying piping was free from stored pressure before employees performed work on the system and did not train workers to recognize and avoid hazards associated with removing HVAC end caps on pressurized pipping systems. OSHA proposed $28,135 in penal...

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...