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 ...

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...

Phoenix drywall, painting contractor must pay more than $7.4M in wages, damages after deliberately denying overtime to over 1,400 employees PHOENIX – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment ordering two commonly owned Arizona drywall and painting companies to pay $7,450,000 in back wages and damages after investigators found the employers willfully denied overtime pay to more than 1,400 employees.The Jan. 15, 2025 judgment by the U.S. District Court of the District of Arizona follows an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division that found Apodaca Wall Systems Inc. and Empire Wall Systems Inc. in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The companies, owned by Arnold Apodaca and his children Michael and Brittany Apodaca, attempted to evade payment of overtime wages by paying hourly employees with multiple checks at straight-time rates for all hours worked. They also used labor brokers to hire hourly workers who were paid in cash at st...

Statement by Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su on December jobs report WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the December 2024 Employment Situation report:“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 256,000 jobs in December, well above market expectations and reflecting a robust and resilient labor market. With unemployment ticking down to 4.1 percent and the three-month average of payroll employment gains at 170,000, this report underscores the strength of our economy as we close out 2024. “December was a particularly strong month for sectors like private healthcare, retail and government, while construction growth over the past year has been driven by non-residential projects. This is also the first economic recovery since the 1970’s in which manufacturing jobs have fully recovered - a testament to the investments and leadership of this administration. “The labor force participation rate h...

Zion contractor again found ignoring protections to prevent workers from suffering disabling, deadly falls from elevation; faces $266K in new fines ZION, IL – Federal inspectors have again cited a Zion contractor with an extensive history of endangering workers by exposing them to fall hazards. The latest violations were discovered when employees were found roofing a residential structure without required fall protections – marking the second such incident in six months and the fifth in two years.Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration observed employees of Miguel A. Esquina Reyes – operating as Corner Construction Corp. – working without legally required fall protection equipment atop a residential structure in Glencoe in August 2024. Falls from elevation are the leading cause of fatal and serious injuries among construction workers and rank among the most frequently cited safety violations by OSHA. In 2022, the Burea...

Owner of Medford construction company sentenced to 18 months for tax crimes, making false statements to federal government Date of action:                       Dec. 10, 2024Type of action:                      SentencingEmployers:                            Mauricio Baiense, owner, Contract Framing Builders Inc.                                                     407R Mystic Ave. Suite 34B, Medford, MA 02155Allegations:                  ...