Construction Materials

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...

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...

US Department of Labor investigation finds Birmingham construction company willfully exposed workers to trench collapse at Bessemer worksite BIRMINGHAM – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation has found numerous safety hazards at a civil construction employer’s worksite following a trench collapse in Jefferson County. The department’sOccupational Safety and Health Administration investigators found CB&A Construction LLC workers removed and installed drain pipes for Jefferson County under a suspended load, without hard hats, and at the edge of an excavation that lacked protective restraints.OSHA cited CB&A Construction with a willful violation and proposed $170,145 in penalties.CB&A Construction LLC has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Penalties and citations may...

New York roofing contractor enters into settlement agreement with US Department of Labor after willfully failing to protect worker in 2021 fatal fall NEW YORK – A Long Island roofing contractor has entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to resolve willful safety violations found after an employee sustained fatal injuries from an 18-foot fall through an unprotected skylight in August 2021. An investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that DME Construction Associates Inc. exposed workers to falls of up to 22 feet at unguarded roof openings and roof edges. OSHA found that the employer failed to provide any personal fall protection equipment to employees at the Oyster Bay municipal building worksite where workers were replacing a steel roof decking.The settlement affirms all citations issued to DME Construction Associates, including nine willful violations, eight of which were egregious per-instance citati...

ICYMI: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer meets with apprentices, construction workers during 4-state ‘America at Work’ swing WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer completed a four-state swing through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska as she nears the end of her 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, meeting with construction workers, business leaders, local officials, healthcare workers, and apprentices as part of her promise to speak directly with the hardworking men and women who keep our nation running strong. “Whether it’s the students who are excited about getting their foot in the door through apprenticeship opportunities, or the business leaders who get to grow and expand their footprint thanks to President Trump’s pro-worker policies, hardworking Americans across the country are excited to have an Administration dedicated to putting them first,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m going to continue these conversations so I can go ...