Construction Materials

US Department of Labor investigation finds Chicago construction employer exposed workers to continued safety hazards, proposes $265K in penalties CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Calumet City-based residential construction and carpentry employer after two separate investigations into its continued failure to provide fall protection for workers. The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated two worksites operated by Martin Araujo – doing business as Araujo Construction Corp. – and found that carpenters and general construction laborers were installing roof rafters and roof sheeting without fall protection, exposing them to falls of up to 25 feet. OSHA cited Araujo Construction with two willful violations for not providing fall protection, while working from heights during residential construction at the two worksites. OSHA also cited the employer with nine repeat safety violations for failing to provide head and eye protection, l...

This Labor Day, the US Department of Labor celebrates 250 years of the American worker, our nation’s greatest asset WASHINGTON – As America celebrates Labor Day and its 250th anniversary, the U.S. Department of Labor is honoring the generations of American workers whose skill, strength, ingenuity, and determination built the greatest nation and most powerful economy the world has ever known.For 250 years, American workers have built our cities, cultivated our land, powered our factories, forged our steel, laid our railroads, pioneered new technologies, and carried American industry to every corner of the globe. From the workshops and farms of 1776 to the factories, construction sites, small businesses, and cutting-edge industries of today, the American worker has always been the backbone of our nation.“American workers are the greatest workers in the world,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “For 250 years, their skill, ingenuity, determination, and hard work have built...

Acting Secretary Sonderling statement on August jobs report WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling issued the following statement regarding the August 2026 Employment Situation Report:“President Trump’s economic comeback continues to deliver for American workers and businesses, as this Administration has now surpassed 1 million new private-sector jobs. In August, the economy added 162,000 jobs, tripling expectations and marking the second-largest monthly gain of President Trump’s second term. This year alone, the U.S. economy has added 643,000 jobs.“After years of decline, American manufacturing continues to rebound exactly as President Trump promised. Fueled by trillions of dollars in historic investments, manufacturing and construction have now added jobs for three consecutive months.”  Published at 2026-09-04T12:00:00Z Read more at https://dol.gov

Acting Secretary Sonderling statement on July jobs report WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling issued the following statement regarding the July 2026 Employment Situation Report:“The labor market is seeing continued growth in private sector employment, adding 30,000 jobs in July and 426,000 this year. Additionally, we are adding jobs in key sectors with gains in construction and manufacturing driven by the trillions of dollars of investments that are pouring into the United States.” Published at 2026-08-07T12:00:00Z Read more at https://dol.gov

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 ...

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 ...

US Department of Labor seeks input from building, large-scale construction contractors to set prevailing wages, fringe benefits in Houston area HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division encourages employers, stakeholders, and others in Southeast Texas’ building and heavy construction industries to help establish accurate prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for workers on federally funded and assisted projects.Required by federal law, the division is distributing an online survey that asks for information on wages paid for relevant construction projects from May 5, 2024, to Aug. 5, 2025. The areas covered include Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Waller, Washington, and Wharton counties. The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts re...

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer meets with Teamsters, manufacturers, construction workers as America at Work tour continues BEAVERTON, OR – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer delivered a keynote address at the Teamsters Unity Conference last week in Nevada, where she also visited a training facility for aviation mechanics and held a roundtable with local small business owners. Continuing her promise to tell the story of America at Work, the Secretary then traveled to Oregon, where she toured a high school construction project and met with Daimler Truck North America’s Chief Executive Officer John O’Leary.In her speech to Teamsters last Tuesday, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer highlighted that her father’s experience as a Teamster “meant a paycheck we could count on, a roof over our heads, and a promise that hard work would be respected.” The Secretary concluded her remarks by promising to “push for jobs that pay what you’re worth, for workplaces that keep you safe, and for retir...

US Department of Labor, Missouri roofing contractor reach agreement after teen worker’s fatal fall in 2023 JAMESPORT, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor reached an agreement with Jamesport roofing contractor John Troyer after a federal investigation determined he violated federal laws, resulting in a teen worker’s fatal fall in March 2023.The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that Troyer, owner of Troyer Construction LLP which operates as Troyer Roofing & Coatings, failed to provide workers with required fall protection. A separate investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division found he violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by employing minors illegally in roofing work from May 2022 to June 2023.Under the agreement, Troyer must pay $290,000, which includes $156,259 in OSHA penalties, $15,000 in child labor penalties, and $118,741 in criminal fines to the U.S. Department of Justice. The company will also enroll in...

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer statement on March jobs report WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the March 2025 Employment Situation Report:“March’s incredibly strong jobs report reflects President Trump’s efforts to reshape and rebuild our economy to put the American Worker First, with over 13,000 construction jobs added. Additionally, growth far exceeded expectations at 228,000 jobs created, demonstrating strong expansion that will only continue when jobs that were previously shipped overseas are brought back to the United States.“As expected, this report also reflects the Trump Administration’s focus on improving efficiency across government. Federal telework numbers are now in-line with the private sector, and federal employment is shrinking while critical sectors throughout the economy are seeing growth. This trend will continue while agencies right-size their workforce and eliminate wasteful contracts, which will save Amer...