Under the Hard Hat

Author: Jonathan Barnes

  • Work on billion-dollar Pittsburgh hospital tower halted

    Work on billion-dollar Pittsburgh hospital tower halted

    Pittsburgh city officials have stopped work on the 900,000 SF UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Tower in a matter related to the city and the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council and work permits for the project. The billion-dollar project involves building a 17-story inpatient tower. Ground was broken for the tower two years ago.

    City orders work stoppage

    On June 20, Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections issued a stop work order on the building, leaving 120 workers temporarily out of work.

    One council official said the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council has no involvement in the matter apart from advocating for the union workers on this job who are out of work due to an error from the contractor, the city, or both.

    “My problem is I have over a hundred union workers sitting at home today,” said Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council business manager Greg Bernard, a trained ironworker. “I need to get them back to work as soon as possible. That’s our issue with it.”

    Required permits not yet approved

    According to Maria Montano, the city’s communications director, UPMC didn’t have the required permits for the project and was ordered to obtain them before work could resume. The large nonprofit failed to get the necessary permits for the building’s electrical, mechanical, and fire suppression work, which has been under construction for over a year.

    “These permits were applied for six months ago but not approved by the city yet,” Bernard said.

    City officials are taking the matter seriously and halting project work. It’s currently unclear who is at fault, but work should not have progressed without the required permits.

    “It is our job in city government to ensure the safety of workers and citizens,” Montaño said to CBS Pittsburgh. “UPMC did not have the required permits for the work it was doing, and when that was discovered, our inspector issued a stop order.”
    UPMC told CBS Pittsburgh the matter should be resolved quickly. It’s unclear how soon that will happen.

  • NTSB preliminary report on Youngstown explosion released

    NTSB preliminary report on Youngstown explosion released

    The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report on the May 28 fatal gas explosion in Youngstown answered some questions about the explosion that killed one and injured nine. The blast caused structural damage to the 13-story Realty Tower Building that housed a bank, offices, and residences.

    Sequence of events

    A scrap removal crew working for contractor GreenHeart Companies was removing and relocating utility lines in the building’s basement in an area underneath the sidewalk. The contract was under the city of Youngstown in preparation for a city road improvement project.

    A crew member and supervisor told NTSB officials they were unaware that the gas lines were still active. The crew member said he was told the gas line he cut was not transporting gas, but part way through cutting into the pipe, he heard a loud whistling sound and felt gas blowing into his face. The crew left the building, pulled the fire alarm, and immediately called 911; another crew member advised bank employees on the first floor about the leak.

    Before the blast, the Youngstown Fire Department received reports of a gas odor from the public, and the fire department, police, and other emergency responders arrived at the scene. After the explosion, Enbridge Gas Ohio employees did a pressure test on the 1-inch diameter service line that exploded and the main line that fed it. They found that the service line didn’t hold pressure while hearing a hissing noise from the 1-inch line. The service line was capped, and the gas company employees found no other leaks.

    NTSB response to blast

    NTSB officials visually inspected the site after the blast, reviewed surveillance video, gathered physical evidence and information on the scrap-removal contract, and interviewed personnel related to the accident. 

    Going forward, the investigation will focus on the pipeline operator’s procedures for removing meters, record keeping, and abandoning gas lines. They will also focus on the ownership of the inactive line, companies associated with the building, and the contractor’s practices and policies for work crews. 

    The NTSB report identified GreenHeart as the partial owner of the Realty Tower Building.

    In March 2024, Enbridge, a North American company based in Canada, bought local gas distribution company Dominion Energy Ohio and renamed it Enbridge Gas Ohio. Both are named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Chase Manhattan Bank employee Akil Drake, 27, who was killed in the blast.

    The gas meter for the line that was thought to be inactive was removed in June 2008. The NTSB report says Enbridge records indicate the inactive service line was manually cut and abandoned in September 2015.

    NTSB has said the final report could take one to two years to complete.

  • 140k contract led to gas explosion killing 1, injuring 7

    140k contract led to gas explosion killing 1, injuring 7

    A $140k contract to remove and relocate utility lines under a mixed-use building in Youngstown led to a May 28 fatal gas explosion that killed one and the evacuation of nearby buildings, displacing businesses and residents. That small contract, issued by the city of Youngstown to Youngstown-based GreenHeart Construction, could result in millions of dollars in damages for injuries and property losses due to the explosion.

    The blast happened after a small construction crew removed utility lines in the building’s basement and made three cuts into a gas line that was thought to be abandoned and inactive. After the third cut, the crew realized the line was still pressurized with gas and that the situation was dangerous. They alerted the building’s occupants, including residents in apartments and employees of a Chase Manhattan Bank on the first floor, to evacuate.

    One worker pulled the fire alarm, as well. But the building wasn’t fully evacuated when the blast occurred. The explosion killed Chase employee Akil Drake, 27,  and injured seven others.

    NTSB investigates explosion

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the blast and will release preliminary findings by early July. NTSB officials said the full report could take one to two years to complete.

    It’s clear that the culprit in the devastation was the still-pressurized gas line being removed in the Realty Tower’s basement. A three-man crew cut it, releasing gas and leading to the explosion shortly after.

    “The explosion apparently occurred approximately six minutes after the line was cut,” said Tom Chapman, an NTSB board member.

    Depending on the conditions on the worksite at the time of the accident, noise or dust might have prevented the workers from knowing there was a problem when the first cut was made. Also, the smell of gas might not have immediately been a warning. One former plumber said it may have taken until after the third cut for the workers to realize there was a problem.

    “Removing gas lines is a situation in which you expect to smell some gas,” said retired master plumber Jim Gerard of Plum, PA.

    Multiple parties culpable

    At this point, it is unclear who is blameworthy for the explosion. More than one party may be responsible, and even if only one party seems accountable, others will likely have to pay those who were hurt or whose businesses or properties were damaged by the explosion.

    Chapman said that the gas line that caused the explosion was a service line coming off the main line. He noted that the NTSB’s role is to determine the facts regarding the blast, not to determine negligence.

    While gas explosions of such a magnitude as the Youngstown blast are not common, Chapman said, “this is particularly catastrophic. The damage to the building is devastating.”

    NTSB video footage of the Realty Tower shows a hollowed-out structure with little remaining on the first floor. Piles of rounded rebar-studded concrete rubble top mounds of cement dust littering the floor, and a long hunk of rusty pipe sticks up like a skewed flagpole.

    It resembles a scene of devastation, as seen in war footage. But a simple few ill-placed cuts into a gas line caused it all to happen, killing Chase Manhattan Bank employee Akil Drake.

    Contractor trustworthiness in question

    The contractor involved in the work leading to the accident has a questionable history. Its reported work history at the Realty Building doesn’t include any work permit for the construction work that led to the blast.

    According to WKBN, no building permits were issued for the utility line removal work at the Realty Building. The last permit issued to contractor GreenHeart Construction for work on the building was in 2020.

    An engineer’s report issued by Youngstown Deputy Director of Public Works Chuck Shasho said the ground floor of the Realty Building collapsed in several places, along with the elevator shaft. Several of the building’s columns are now precarious, braced only by a single steel beam. The situation is so bad that it has caused the partial abandonment of downtown Youngstown. That is undoubtedly a prudent move.

    The engineer’s report recommended closing all buildings within a 210-foot radius of the Realty Building. At the time of the report’s release, some nearby buildings had already been emptied. It appears that the blast could disrupt downtown activity for months.

    Within that 210-foot radius, buildings include the Doubletree Hotel and International Towers, a residential building housing seniors. The report also recommended maintaining a hazard zone around the building until it’s braced or razed.

    According to documentation uncovered by The Youngstown Vindicator, on April 25, the Youngstown Board of Control approved a $140,133 contract with GreenHeart to remove utility lines from under the sidewalk in front of the building and relocate them in the basement. Those lines included water, electrical, gas, sprinkler lines, furnace water tanks, and data and phone lines.

    “I don’t know why they were cutting a gas line. They obviously thought it was dead,” said Charles Shasho, Youngstown’s Deputy Director of Public Works. 

    YO Properties 47 LLC, which owns the Realty Tower, issued a statement through its legal counsel, Bryan M. Ridder, stating: “YO Properties 47 LLC, in cooperation with the relevant governmental agencies, is investigating how and why this explosion happened. Pending this investigation, YO Properties 47 LLC will not be making any future public statements.”

    According to The BlueBook, GreenHeart Companies, based in Boardman, OH, is a general contractor with 20 years of experience in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company does residential and commercial construction, including malls, plazas, and freestanding single-use buildings. It has worked for Dollar Tree, Dunkin Donuts, and Stonebridge Restaurants. It also performs manufacturing and distribution facility construction, warehouses, apartment buildings, hotels, hospitals, and assisted care facilities.

    First lawsuit filed

    Drake’s family has filed a lawsuit over his death. One of their attorneys, Ben Whitman of Clark Fountain law firm in Florida, said other claims resulting from the catastrophe, such as injury and property claims, do exist. He wouldn’t speculate on how large a settlement might occur if his clients win the lawsuit, saying you can’t put a price on a human life.

    “Our understanding is that [Akil] was trapped and passed away,” Whitman said.

    Clark Fountain attorneys Don Fountain, Julie H. Littky-Rubin, and Ben Whitman filed the suit on behalf of some of Drake’s family, including Traesha Pritchard, Drake’s sister. She said in a statement, “Our family is devastated by Akil’s death. He was a wonderful son, brother, boyfriend, and community member who was innocently doing his job when this preventable tragedy took him from us.”

    The lawsuit was also filed on behalf of Sharnette Crite-Evans, Drake’s mother.

    The suit has many defendants, including but not limited to YO Properties 47, LLC, LY Property Management LLC, of Youngstown; GreenHeart Companies LLC, of Boardman, OH; the East Ohio Gas Company, of Cleveland; Enbridge Elephant Holdings, of Houston; Enbridge Alternative Fuel, of Columbus, OH; Dominion Energy Incorporated, of Richmond, and others.

    GreenHeart did not return requests for comments on this story. YO Properties 47, LLC also didn’t respond to requests for comment. LY Property Management declined to comment.

    Mathew Stoddard, a personal injury attorney based in Atlanta, said the costs of this and other lawsuits could be significant.

    “When there’s a natural gas explosion, the results tend to be catastrophic…We had a client who was injured in that way and died several months later,” said Stoddard. “Natural gas is an extremely dangerous product that’s highly explosive.”

  • Ontario contractors expect robust growth in 2024

    Ontario contractors expect robust growth in 2024

    The Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) 2024 Contractor Survey found plenty of ongoing and future projects have Ontario contractors hopeful for a busy year ahead. 

    While increasing materials and labor costs are still a big concern for Ontario contractors, about two-thirds of those surveyed expect positive business growth this year.

    “There is a massive project pipeline in Ontario that is fueling positivity,” OCS chief executive officer Robert Bronk said. “Power generation, transit, and healthcare facilities are leading the list of projects currently under construction or slated for construction over the next few years in every region of the province.”

    Sixty-five percent of respondents surveyed said hiring workers will be more challenging this year. About half of them (48%) said their biggest worry this year will be getting skilled workers on the job.

    Nonetheless, 34% of those surveyed expect their workforce to grow in 2024.

    “Despite a mostly positive outlook for ICI construction in 2024, the rising costs we are all facing remain a concern,” Bronk said. “But it is encouraging that despite this worry, there are still strong expectations for growth and expansion over the coming year, with many contractors implementing new technologies to help create efficiencies and support business success.”

    More than eight in ten (83%) of respondents expect that adopting new tech will help them improve their businesses in the future. About 44% of respondents said they use BIM, and 43% use job site data collection apps.

  • Fern Hollow Bridge lawsuits target Pittsburgh and three engineering firms

    Fern Hollow Bridge lawsuits target Pittsburgh and three engineering firms

    A dentist, former bus drivers, and other survivors of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse are suing the city of Pittsburgh and three prominent engineering firms for negligence. The suits claim the four parties are responsible for not fixing decades-long issues with the bridge, which collapsed on January 28, 2022.

    Lawsuits claim incompetence

    Former Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus driver Daryl Luciani and his spouse are two of several plaintiffs involved in these lawsuits. They were filed on behalf of nine plaintiffs who named the city of Pittsburg and its consultants and engineering firms Larson Design Group, Gannett Fleming Inc., and CDM Smith Inc. defendants.

    Dr. Clinton Runco, a dentist traveling on the bridge when it collapsed, is also suing the city with his wife Irene (who was not present at the collapse). Runco was on his way to work when the bridge collapsed and plunged his car into the chasm, where it hit the hillside beneath the bridge and rolled before stopping. He broke his neck, sternum, and several of his ribs in the accident.

    Runco’s attorney, Jason Matzus, said the evidence in this case is clear.

    “The engineering companies’ incompetence, coupled with the city’s inaction, created a recipe for disaster. Collectively, over 15-plus years, the defendants watched the Fern Hollow Bridge rot, crumble, and deteriorate until the inevitable happened—it collapsed,” Matzus said.

    When contacted for comment on the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh’s mayor said the city had no comment due to pending litigation.

    Engineering powerhouses under fire

    Larson Design Group, Gannett Fleming Inc., and CDM Smith did not return calls for comment on this story. The three firms are well-known in the construction world and collectively have over 200 years of corporate history. Given their history and reputation, their involvement in this matter is shocking.

    CDM Smith is a 75-year-old Boston-based firm with 5,000 employees. In 2023, the company had $1.3 billion in revenue.

    Larson Design Group is a Williamsport, PA-based firm that has repeatedly been ranked among the nation’s top 300 design firms. The company had $75 million in revenue in 2022.

    Founded in 1915, Gannett Fleming employs about 1,900 people and had revenues of $483 million last year.

    Matzus said that the defendants’ failure to fix the bridge before it collapsed on its own put thousands of people’s lives in jeopardy for many years.

    “You’re talking about national and international engineering firms… They promise the best service, but Fern Hollow Bridge is a damning indictment of that,” Matzus said. “It’s appalling to think that professionals who were well paid did their work so poorly and with such a disregard for public safety.”

    Municipal cap on damages

    When these lawsuits are settled, the engineering firms may hold the compensatory bag for a collapse that was arguably primarily Pittsburgh officials’ fault. Due to a Pennsylvania statute, plaintiffs in this collapse, if they win, can only receive $500,000 in total damages, meaning all plaintiffs would receive a share of that total amount.

    Such a statute is meant to protect cities and municipalities from insolvency resulting from lawsuits. But it also shields incompetent public officials from paying heavily for near-fatal mistakes, Runco said.

    “That $500,000 cap incentivizes carelessness and disregard… These organizations [like the city of Pittsburgh] are capable of buying insurance to manage their risk,” Matzus said.

    How much of a payout can taxpayers expect these plaintiffs to get? Matzus said that it was at least in the millions of dollars for the compensatory verdict part of the case. Punitive damages also could be awarded, he added.

  • Fire safety for construction sites

    Fire safety for construction sites

    Fire prevention is one of the most important factors in job site safety. Proper training, in-place fire procedures, and situational awareness are key strategies for reducing and preventing fires on construction sites. 

    Liberty bridge fire

    While under rehabilitation, the fire at Liberty Bridge in 2016 prompted an investigation that closed the project for 24 days. Not only did it create headaches for contractors, but it also created hassles for commuters. 

    The blaze started when sparks from a welder’s torch ignited plastic tubing [and tarps on and beneath the bridge. Post-investigation, officials said the bridge was moments from collapsing before the fire was contained. 

    The lesson: Though no injuries resulted from the fire, it could have easily been prevented had workers implemented a fire safety plan. 

    Fire safety plans can prevent flames

    In a case like the Liberty Bridge fire, having the right fire safety plan—including more than one plan of action if a fire occurs—could have prevented the blaze. Greater situational awareness could also have prevented the blaze. For example, if workers had taken notice of flammable material in an area where torches were used, the fire could have been avoided.

    When it comes to fire safety, planning is critical.

    Proper safety planning and environmental awareness among workers can prevent on-site fires. Even when they can’t, having the correct procedures will save lives.

    Here are some of our top tips for preventing job site fires. 

    6 tips for work site fire safety and prevention

    1. Implement fire prevention training

    Every person on a job site should be trained in the codes, regulations, standards, and best practices of having a solid fire prevention plan. The National Fire Protection Association’s 241 standard helps safeguard construction and demolition work from fire.

    2. Include fire prevention in safety meetings

    Safety meetings should include fire safety as well as machine safety. Identify work areas more prone to fire and devise fire prevention plans in the event a fire breaks out. 

    Remind workers of fire hazards and have safety devices like fire extinguishers readily accessible. Workers should also be encouraged to speak up about potential fire hazards seen in the workplace.

    3. Set fire procedures

    Devise multiple fire evacuation routes in the event of a fire. Have a plan of action for notifying authorities and set a worker chain of command to follow during an onsite fire.

    4. Teach workers situational awareness

    Remind workers they are crucial to preventing fires. Teach them to stop, look around, listen, and smell throughout their shift. 

    Being aware of your surroundings is vital to preventing accidents. Heightened awareness means they won’t miss any environmental clues that a fire has started or could be about to start.

    5. Use technology to prevent or stop fires

    Almost all workers have cell phones that can be used to take photos when a fire hazard is spotted. It’s then their duty to inform management. Technology is also critical to a fire safety plan—mainly to notify authorities and co-workers. 

    6. Learn from mistakes

    Fires of all sizes happen on worksites, but most are caught before extensive damage. Learning from mistakes is key to preventing future issues. 

    Mistakes caught in time are excellent teaching moments for employees to evaluate the situation and what could have been done differently—what was done wrong, what was done right, and how the blaze might have been prevented. Analyzing failures can devise better procedures.

    Wrapping up

    Fire prevention on a construction site involves proper training and devising preventative measures to avoid fires, including properly staging materials. It means teaching workers to spot fire hazards before they happen and report them when they see them. It also involves planning to respond safely to fire emergencies and teaching workers how to respond appropriately.

  • New tools you’ll want on your job site

    New tools you’ll want on your job site

    From more ergonomic designs to faster-acting tools and more power, manufacturers serving construction sites are constantly updating and improving their tools. The M18 FUEL™ ½” High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring, the Skil 7-1/4 IN. Magnesium Worm Drive Skilsaw, and the Bosch GDX18V-1860CN Professional Impact Driver/Wrench are three new tools that can increase efficiency, productivity, and results on your job site.

    M18 FUEL™ ½” High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring

    Billed by its maker as the most powerful impact wrench in its class, the M18 FUEL™ ½” High Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring from Milwaukee Tools offers maneuverability in tight spaces and provides faster removal speeds. With up to 1,200 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1,600 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque when paired with M18™ REDLITHIUM™ FORGE™ batteries, this wrench is more powerful than its predecessor. 

    Product features

    • Battery isolation system that controls vibration while providing a secure battery connection
    • LED lights surrounding the anvil for brighter light
    • 4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL™ offers greater precision with a range of pre-set RPM and IPM levels, selectable from a single button on the tool
    • To prevent overtightening, AUTO SHUT-OFF™ control’s Mode 4 enables the user to apply no more than 50 ft-lbs of torque for hand-tight fastening applications
    • The ½” Friction Ring design enables quick and tool-free socket change

    Skil 7-1/4 IN. Magnesium Worm Drive Skilsaw

    Workers are always searching for lighter and more efficient tools—and Skil has done it with their new circular saw. Pairing unmatched durability with lightweight ease, the new Skil 7-1/4 Magnesium Worm Drive Skilsaw is just 12.5 lbs. without the blade, cord, and wrench, making it easier to use for long periods. Less fatigue means less downtime and more productivity. It also features:

    Product features

    • Dual-Field™ motor designed for saws to increase cooling and extend the tool’s life
    • A die-cast magnesium foot with a large, easy-to-read bevel and depth-of-cut scales
    • A 24-tooth Diablo carbide blade (included)
    • Bevel allows for a wide variety of cuts
    • STAY TRUE™ guarantee: 180-day money-back guarantee plus a one-year limited warranty

    Bosch GDX18V-1860CN Professional Impact Driver/Wrench 

    This 18V Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 In. and 1/2 In. Bit/Socket Impact Driver/Wrench from Bosch Tools is a two-in-one cordless impact driver/wrench that provides a single tool for use with bits and sockets. You can easily dial back the tool’s power with three speeds and torque settings. It also features AMPShare™ System—a unique design that enables multi-brand compatibility across many cordless products.

    Product features

    • Advanced modes offer preset and custom modes that help prevent workplace and fastener damage
    • The Auto Bolt Release feature stops rotation when there’s no load to prevent accidentally dropping nuts and bolts during removal
    • Connectivity allows you to link to a connected device with Bosch Toolbox App to customize settings, create custom modes, and get feedback
    • The brushless motor delivers up to 1,860 In/lbs. of torque and up to 4,100 ipm for professional power
    • Covered by a five-year limited warranty
  • OSHA rule change on employee representation is effective May 31

    OSHA rule change on employee representation is effective May 31

    Despite pushback from contractors and industry groups, a proposed change to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regulations governing employee representation during a walkthrough investigation will take effect on May 31. OSHA’s Final Rule clarifies that third-party, non-employees may accompany the OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) during the walkthrough inspection of a workplace.

    What the rule change means

    As background, OSHA currently allows employees to have a representative present during a workplace walkthrough inspection. In most cases, the representative is an employee, but the proposed change would enable a non-employee to act as the employee’s representative. 

    OSHA’s current employee representation regulation states that an employee representative “shall be an employee(s) of the employer.” 29 CFR 1908(c). But in certain cases, it also allowed for participation of a “third party who is not an employee of the employer (such as an industrial hygienist or a safety engineer)” if that person was “reasonably necessary.” 29 CFR 1908(c).

    The new rule change will allow workers to choose any person they might designate for the task of representing them during OSHA walkthrough inspections on a job site. It states that “the representative(s) authorized by the employees may be an employee of the employer or a third party.” 89 Fed. Reg. 22601. It then limits third-party representation to instances where “good cause has been shown why accompaniment by a third party is reasonably necessary to the conduct of an effective and thorough physician inspection of the workplace.” 89 Fed. Reg. 22601. 

    Put simply, the new provision clarifies “that the representative(s) authorized by employees may be an employee of the employer or a third party.” 89 Fed. Reg. 22558.  

    Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the rule change is that it allows an employee to choose a non-employee of the company as their representative, including a union representative or even a community organizer. The regulation also doesn’t stipulate that the rep must have any construction experience to act as a representative.

    Critics of the rule change say allowing persons unrelated to a construction site onto it creates a liability risk for the contractor and project owner.

    The previous version of the rule stipulated that an employee representative should be an employee of the employer. Under the new rule, even union officials can glean valuable information on nonunion shops and potentially ramp up organizing efforts there while acting as an employee representative.

    An argument with two sides

    There is something to be said on each side of this argument, for and against a nonemployee rep representing a worker. 

    Workers need to feel safe to tell the truth about incidents and accidents, and unsafe practices on a worksite. If the employee rep in an OSHA walkthrough must be a fellow employee, it limits the pool of potential reps. It may also invite the opportunity for employees to collude to cover the truth of a matter being investigated by OSHA.

    But nonunion shop contractors have rights, too. One of their rights is not to allow any person onto a construction site being built for a third party. Nonunion contractors also have the right to keep union organizers off of their worksites.

    Employers will be able to contest a rep

    Despite what may seem a true rigidity in this rule change, employers might have options to contest a nonemployee representing an employee in a walkthrough—at least on a case-by-case basis.

    OSHA must demonstrate that the non-employee representative is “reasonably necessary to the conduct of an effective and thorough inspection of the workplace.” If a nonemployee representative deviates from their role by encouraging unionization during the inspection or through other actions, OSHA regulations require that they be removed.

    Regardless of where they are from, the employee representative can only conduct employee interviews if invited to do so by the employee being represented. According to the regulation, they should also not be involved in any document production or review; they are only allowed to be involved in the walkthrough inspection.

    Trouble on the horizon?

    AGC fired a shot at OSHA regarding this rule change before approval, which could signal future trouble.

    AGC said in a statement that conflicts of interest could result from allowing a union representative into a nonunion workplace, including “increased liability exposure to the employer that is the subject of the inspection, and the fact that OSHA lacks the constitutional authority to make such a sweeping, controversial revision to the existing regulations. If OSHA decides to move forward with the proposed changes, AGC will explore all options to block the final rule.”

  • Work paused after piece of metal falls at Boston worksite

    Work paused after piece of metal falls at Boston worksite

    Work on a condo tower being erected at Boston’s South Station was halted for less than a week after a steel concrete form fell and smashed windows on the structure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating but hasn’t released its findings yet.

    Suffolk Construction Company has been contracted for a 51-story mixed-use project that includes office, residential, and parking spaces. The tower is being built directly above Metro Boston Transit Authority’s South Station rail and bus terminal.

    The large piece of steel fell more than 20 stories before becoming lodged in the South Station commuter rail platform roof. No injuries were reported.

    Suffolk Construction announced that it had agreed to halt work on the project while investigators investigated the matter. Work resumed six days after the steel fell. It is still unclear what caused the steel, which was described in some reports as a steel concrete form, to fall, damage the building, and lodge itself into the roof of the MBTA South Station.

    Falling objects are common in construction

    While workers and commuters navigating Boston’s South Station construction site dodged a bullet when a large piece of steel recently fell from the under-construction tower, this isn’t an uncommon occurrence on construction sites.

    Falling objects are common. Although not always fatal, OSHA noted that some incidents do lead to fatalities. 

    The reason: Lack of proper worker training, incorrect use of tools or equipment, and malfunctioning equipment are sometimes the causes of these dropped objects.

    Other reasons for potentially deadly drops of materials include:

    1. Improperly securing tools

    2. Wrongly stacking tools, equipment, or materials

    3. Inadequately securing loads on a boom, crane, or hoist

    4. Not using safety devices designed to stop falling debris and objects

    5. Operating in poor working conditions (especially wind)

    Tips to reduce injury from falling objects

    To lower the chance of injury from falling objects, there are a few steps workers can take.

    1. Always wear PPE, including helmets, goggles, and hard-toe boots

    2. Never walk or stand under heavy equipment, such as beneath a front loader, hoist, or crane, particularly when it’s loaded

    3. Use the proper safety equipment for the job you are doing

    4. Never stack materials or objects too high

    5. Inspect equipment and tools before using them

    6. Never use faulty equipment or tools

    7. Secure tools and equipment properly when the workday is over

    8. Block off areas where fall hazards may exist

    9. Inspect PPE before using it to confirm it meets manufacturers’ recommendations

    10. Keep all material a minimum of 3 feet from a leading edge

  • PCL Construction one of Fortune’s top 100 places to work

    PCL Construction one of Fortune’s top 100 places to work

    In what seems to be a regular repeat performance, PCL Construction Enterprises Inc. was recently recognized by Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2024. 

    This marks the second year in a row PCL has been the only general contractor on the list. The company’s success is long-lived, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.

    This year, PCL took 90th place, marking its 15th time being named among the top companies to work for. According to employees, PCL is one of the best U.S. companies to work for in terms of employee satisfaction with employer treatment.

    The ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ list reflects how employees feel about their workplace, based partly on employee feedback and comparing against human resources information from participating companies. 

    The company said the recognition is an affirmation that that contractor is doing right by its employees.

    “We strive to build a culture centered on our core values of honesty, integrity, and respect,” said Deron Brown, PCL president and chief operating officer for U.S. operations. “PCL’s placement on this list affirms our success in building a vibrant and welcoming workplace. It’s an honor to be in the company of elite corporations from across the country when it comes to employee satisfaction. Knowing this recognition is based on feedback from our employees makes it all the more meaningful.”


    Great Place To Work created the notables list using analytics and responses from more than 1.3 million U.S. employees. Companies must employ at least 1,000 U.S. employees and be Great Place To Work Certified™ to be considered.