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�۽�ֱ�� to offer an educational webinar on July 27 to help contractors prepare for what to expect from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs in upcoming audits and if they become involved in your Mega Projects.

In April 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the first national emphasis program (NEP) addressing outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards. �۽�ֱ�� worked with the agency to issue a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) clarifying contractors’ obligations under the NEP to better assist members with effectively protecting workers from hazards related to heat, while also avoiding citations during any enforcement proceedings. The FAQs offer clearer guidance regarding program elements and policies that OSHA will deem effective at protecting workers from heat related hazards. Issues addressed include availability and access to water, measures for providing shade, effective training methods and topics covered, among others.

In its unanimous June 29 decision in Groff v. DeJoy, the U.S Supreme Court disrupted decades of precedent in ruling that, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, an employer that rejects a religious accommodation request on the basis of “undue hardship” must prove a burden well beyond a “de minimis cost.” The employer must establish that the rejected accommodation requires “substantial increased costs in relation to the conduct of [the employer’s] particular business.” The Court further clarified that a negative impact on co-workers resulting from the requested accommodation does not automatically qualify the accommodation as an “undue hardship.” The new test must be satisfied whether the “substantial increased costs” result from an impact on co-workers or otherwise.

Construction Association Urges Federal Officials to Issue Timely, Clear, and Consistent Regulations That Will Facilitate Spending to Proceed on a Wide Range of Projects Already Approved by Congress

Artificial intelligence or AI is causing significant disruption in the construction industry and our world. However, in the context of construction law, contracts, and risk management, the abbreviation “AI” refers (first and foremost and for purposes of this article) to additional insured (AI). Obtaining coverage as an additional insured is part of the foundation for insurance coverage and legal defense against claims in construction. AI status allows upstream parties to access downstream parties’ insurance coverage directly and request that the insurance carrier provide a defense. This article highlights the importance of appropriately tailoring AI coverage obligations in your contracts and how the ConsensusDocs and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) standard construction contract documents handle this issue differently.

Agencies may delay permits until changes are final

�۽�ֱ�� of America is now accepting speaking proposals for the Construction Safety & Health Conference taking place January 10-12, 2024, in Newport Beach, CA. This event is designed for emerging to senior-level management professionals who work in any of the commercial construction markets. All educational sessions should be targeted towards these attendees and should involve topics that reflect current and emerging issues in construction safety, health, and/or the environment.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is seeking input on the use of leading indicators in order to develop a resource that shares best practices to improve workplace safety and health. Leading indicators are proactive, preventive measures that can provide insight on the effectiveness of safety and health activities, improve identification/elimination/control of risks, and reduce incidents and injuries. Examples of leading indicators include, number of employees trained in hazard identification, percentage of trainings completed, etc.