Coronavirus Coverage

Editorial: Open Vaccine Mandate Rulemaking to More Voices

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 07:43:00 -0500

OSHA should model industry engagement on effort to craft the 2017 silica dust rule to design vaccine mandate that is enforceable—and realistic.

OSHA Pulls Vaccine Mandate, But Will Propose as a Rule

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0500

Rulemaking process starts Jan. 26, with industry groups applauding rescind but seeking more input on construction-specific regulations.

DOJ Defends Federal Contractor Vaccine Order to Atlanta Appeals Court

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 20:30:00 -0500

Attorneys tell court in Jan. 18 brief that mandate is legal under US procurement law to insure "economical and efficient" contracting, but Cincinnati appeals court panel rejected argument on Jan. 5, despite strong dissent from Chief Justice. That court also is weighing merits of OSHA vaccine rule for large contractors, not in effect now under new US Supreme Court order.

Will US Supreme Court Majority Delay OSHA's Vaccine-Testing Mandate?

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 18:40:00 -0500

In emergency hearing Jan. 7, conservative justices indicated concerns with the Biden Administration's argument of legal authority to issue sweeping mandate.

Kentucky Court Halts Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate in Three States

rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 15:34:00 -0500

Dec. 3 ruling in conservative court supports claim of unclear government authority, halting order only in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee; separately, Cincinnati court declines government request to accelerate appeal of halt to OSHA vaccine rule for large private employers, and NYC orders new mandate for all businesses.

OSHA Suspends Vaccine Mandate Compliance After US Court Affirms Halt

rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 10:56:00 -0500

Agency said it "remains confident in its authority" to issue emergency rule for large employers, but is complying with New Orleans appeals court-ordered halt of required employee vaccination or testing—as multiple lawsuits now are combined and case appears headed for the US Supreme Court; 60 major medical groups urge employers to implement vaccination rule voluntarily.

US Appeals Court Halts OSHA Vaccine Mandate, Unclear How Long

rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 16:15:00 -0400

Government says OSHA enforcement is "unambiguous ... in addressing grave dangers to employees in the workplace," in rollout of COVID emergency temporary rule.

Calif. Safety Official Douglas Parker Confirmed as Federal OSHA Chief

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -0400

Parker's first big task: implementing expected standard mandating worker vaccination or testing for COVId-19.

AGC to White House: COVID Vaccine Mandates Will Hurt Infrastructure Efforts, Companies

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:20:00 -0400

Contractor group wants workplace definition changes, employer mandate liability and enforcement clarifications, among other things for federal contractors and large firms.

Vaccine Mandate: How Employers Can Prepare

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 15:40:00 -0400

President Biden's vaccine mandate has left many businesses, including in construction, uncertain about what's next. But legal experts say there are ways to prepare.

NJ Firm Hyper Tracks Building Renovation for Dartmouth, Mass., Vaccine Plant

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 00:16:00 -0400

Site work is underway for 45,000-sq-ft clinical-scale manufacturing facility in the New Bedford, Business Park./p>

Global Survey: US Construction Industry Hit 'Full Recovery Mode' in Q2

zevina@enr.com (Alisa Zevin) — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 11:48:00 -0400

The U.S. had "significant growth in workloads within all market segments," says RICS Construction Monitor second quarter report.

1000M Tower, Helmut Jahn's Last Chicago Project, Gets Approval to Restart Construction

manniona@enr.com (Annemarie Mannion) — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 15:13:00 -0400

After stopping construction due to pandemic-related uncertainty, architect Helmut Jahn's 1000M tower in Chicago has been approved to resume construction as apartments instead of condos.

Latest Updates On The Coronavirus Pandemic

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 05:01:00 -0400

ENR tracks new industry impacts as COVID-19 forces project closures and interrupts global business.

US Labor Dept. Releases OSHA Temporary COVID-19 Standard for Health Care Workers

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 15:58:00 -0400

OSHA releases emergency temporary standard for health care workers June 10, after it initially sought to create a broader standard that included more industries, including construction.

Construction Sheds 20,000 Jobs in May, But Jobless Rate Improves

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 10:25:00 -0400

Job losses in nonresidential segments outpace increase in residential building.

EEOC: Employers Can Make COVID-19 Vaccination a Job Requirement

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 15:48:00 -0400

Federal agency now says industry firms can require the shot for jobsites and other workplaces, if health and religious exemptions are allowed.

Editorial: How To Write a Better COVID-19 Standard

Fri, 28 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400

How OSHA can keep its forthcoming COVID-19 emergency temporary safety standard fair and reasonable

Triax Adds Features to Proximity Tracing Wearables, Looks Beyond Social Distancing

rubenstonej@enr.com (Jeff Rubenstone) — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:20:00 -0400

Safety tracking tag also has geofencing and hazard warning features, as well as those that can be used for access control at gates and tracking worker equipment certifications

ENR Top 400 Contractors: The Pandemic's Second Act

Wed, 26 May 2021 16:39:00 -0400

Many ENR Top 400 Contractors plan a return to normal, but will the COVID-19 vaccine be a shot in the arm or a shot in the dark?

OSHA Now Says Contractors, Other Employers Should Not Record Vaccine Reactions

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Mon, 24 May 2021 17:08:00 -0400

Agency has reversed course on a recommendation about recording as safety incidents adverse reactions to required COVID-19 vaccinations.

EEOC Says It Will Create Specialized Return-to-Work Guidelines

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Tue, 18 May 2021 15:56:00 -0400

Agency commissioner says industry-specific guidelines are necessary even as CDC recommendations evolve.

Construction Activity Rises in All Regions, Says Global Survey

zevina@enr.com (Alisa Zevin) — Thu, 13 May 2021 14:00:00 -0400

Despite concerns about a hike in materials costs, worldwide construction markets report a growing recovery.

As Rescue Act Aid Starts to Move, Roads, Water, Sewers May Benefit

Tue, 11 May 2021 17:12:00 -0400

Water, sewer, broadband and—industry officials say—road projects are eligible.

ASHRAE Publishes Updated Ventilation Standard for Health Care Facilities

postn@enr.com (Nadine M. Post) — Tue, 11 May 2021 15:12:00 -0400

ASHRAE has released an updated edition of its ventilation standard for health care facilities that has been expanded to reflect the new normal in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Construction Jobs Flat in April, But Unemployment Rate Falls

Fri, 07 May 2021 10:26:00 -0400

Totals pulled down by loss of 11,800 jobs in nonresidential specialty trade firms.

OSHA Imposes New Guidance For Employer-Required COVID-19 Vaccines

yodersj@enr.com (Jeff Yoders) — Mon, 03 May 2021 17:17:00 -0400

Contractors, construction industry groups say guidance contradicts administration's desire to encourage employees to get vaccinated.

Cost, Conflicting Advice Hamper COVID-19 IAQ Upgrades in Schools, Says Center for Green Schools

postn@enr.com (Nadine M. Post) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:26:00 -0400

School districts still have unmet indoor air quality needs and face numerous challenges related to costs and outdated building infrastructure, as well as confusion over conflicting guidance from different groups, reports a study from a USGBC center.

AECOM CEO Unveils Expanded Push on Carbon Emissions Cuts, Diversity Targets

rubind@enr.com (Debra K. Rubin) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:30:00 -0400

In ENR interview, CEO Troy Rudd says that even with construction units shed, the design firm has size, scale and tech value to tackle climate change and workforce demands

Construction Groups Seek Billions in Rescue Act Aid for Transpo Projects

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:57:00 -0400

Nearly three-dozen groups ask Treasury to specify the act's $360B in aid can be used for transportation projects.