The key components of the STEP Safety Management System work synergistically to build an effective safety culture. Explore how responsibilities, resources and rules can help you build better relationships and open lines of communication to improve employee safety and company profitability.

Throughout 2023, ABC has been closely monitoring federal regulatory actions and updating ABC members through the ABC Regulatory Roundup. Several federal rules have gone into effect or are scheduled to go into effect in the near future.

ABC honored Ben Houston with the Life Membership Award at ABC Leadership Institute in Palm Springs, California. A Life Member is an individual retired from an active role in the industry who contributed outstanding service to ABC during their active years.

On Nov. 15, Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., introduced a resolution (H.J. Res.103) under the Congressional Review Act providing for congressional disapproval of the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule, Updating Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations. This controversial final rule largely disregards the feedback of ABC, construction industry stakeholders and thousands of small businesses urging the withdrawal of––and/or improvements to––this unnecessary, costly and burdensome regulation.

ABC Congratulates 30 Members Awarded DOL’s 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Congratulations to the 30 ABC members that have been honored by the U.S. Department of Labor with the 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award, only federal-level award that recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention and professional development.

On Nov. 17, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued an executive order that requires the consideration of union-favoring project labor agreements on construction contracts procured by state agencies where the state’s financial commitment is $20 million or greater. The EO also includes new community benefit agreements and government-registered apprenticeship policies in addition to troubling pro-PLA language.

On Nov. 13, Associated Builders and Contractors filed comments urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to withdraw the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process proposed rule, which would allow employees to choose a third-party representative, such as an outside union representative or community organizer, to accompany an OSHA safety inspector into nonunion workplaces during site inspections. ABC also signed on to comments submitted by the Coalition for Workplace Safety and Construction Industry Safety Coalition.

On Nov. 16, the National Labor Relations Board extended the effective date of its final rule on Joint Employer Status Under the National Labor Relations Act from Dec. 26 to Feb. 26, 2024. The new standard will only be applied to cases filed after the rule becomes effective.

States across the country held legislative, gubernatorial, local and judicial elections yesterday, as well as considered a variety of hot-button issues on ballot initiatives. In almost every instance, Democrats carried the night, delivering a resounding blow to GOP optimism as focus shifts toward the 2024 elections.

On Nov. 7, ABC submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor in response to a proposed rulemaking that would alter overtime regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.