New Survey Finds Sharp Jump in Owners Canceling, Delaying Construction Projects Putting Jobs at Risk

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Thirty-nine percent of contractors report that project owners have halted or canceled current construction projects amid deteriorating economic conditions, according to a survey released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that these cancellations mean massive job losses are likely soon unless Congress passes targeted recovery measures to boost infrastructure funding, compensate firms for lost or delayed federally funded work and provide needed pension relief. The project cancellations are particularly severe in light of new data showing that 42 states added construction jobs through February. “The abrupt plunge in economic activity is taking a swift and severe … Read more

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OSHA Issues Guidance for Respiratory Protection during COVID-19 N95 Shortage

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators. The action marks the department’s latest step to ensure the availability of respirators and follows President Trump’s Memorandum on Making General Use Respirators Available. Due to the impact on workplace conditions caused by limited supplies of N95 FFRs, employers should reassess their engineering controls, work practices and administrative controls to identify any changes they can make to decrease the need for N95 respirators. If respiratory protection must be used, employers may consider use … Read more

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February Rise in Construction Outlays Contrasts with Pandemic-Drive Collapse in March, AGC Says

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Construction spending in February increased 6% from February 2019, with year-over-year gains in both residential and nonresidential outlays, according to a new analysis of federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that their latest survey shows conditions for contractors have deteriorated rapidly since February. They called on Congress to urgently pass targeted recovery measures to boost infrastructure funding, compensate firms for lost or delayed federally funded work, and provide needed pension relief. “Spending in February declined 1.3% from an upwardly revised, exceptionally strong pace in January that was aided by unusually mild winter weather … Read more

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AGC Reports Construction Employment Increases in February, Industry’s Unemployment Rate Sets New Low

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Construction employment increased by 42,000 jobs in February and by 223,000 or 3% over the past 12 months, as the industry’s unemployment rate hit a new February low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said some of the gains were attributable to mild winter weather in many parts of the country last month but added that the main reason for the gains was strong demand for construction services. “Contractors are off to a fast start in 2020, adding 91,000 jobs in the first two months—the most in nearly two … Read more

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Construction Industry Council: Best Practices in Use to Protect Workers, Public from Virus Spread

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The construction industry is taking essential safety measures to protect workers and the public from the spread of the coronavirus. Operating under the designation as an essential business as modified by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in the downstate New York region crews are pressing forward with infrastructure renewal and environmental protection projects. While certain projects have been slowed or delayed due to staffing shortages, contracting employers and organized labor leaders are hopeful key personnel and crews can continue to deliver on public projects. Contractors continue to push ahead to protect and upgrade water resources and the utility sectors. Electrical workers are … Read more

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