Contractor Community – January 2025

Contractor Community – January 2025

ASA’s Comments to OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rule

ASA, along with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), 30 trade associations representing virtually every aspect of the construction industry, submitted comments in response to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. In addition to the announced informal public hearing on June 16, 2025, CISC requested that the Agency schedule a series of in-person hearings on the proposed rule during the comment period and before OSHA issues any final rule.  The CISC believes that in-person hearings would afford the Agency and interested stakeholders a more robust opportunity to have interactive engagement during the hearing process since participants in virtual meetings may experience technology issues such as poor connections and virtual meetings do not lend themselves to easy interactive questions and testimony.

Per their comments, “CISC members and their employees are directly impacted by this NPRM as they are engaged in all facets of construction occurring in outdoor, indoor, and combined workplaces, and thus CISC members are keenly interested in this NPRM. The CISC appreciates OSHA’s consideration of the information presented in these comments. As addressed in prior CISC comments regarding the Agency’s engagement on this topic, CISC remains concerned with OSHA’s decision not to exclude the construction industry from such a broadly sweeping proposed standard. The construction industry faces unique challenges that differ from those experienced by general industry, as well as maritime and agricultural industries, when combating the impact of hazardous heat.  The CISC shares OSHA’s goal of protecting employees from exposure to excess heat and to prevent heat illness from occurring in construction employees. However, the CISC has significant concerns with several components OSHA included in the proposed rule to accomplish its goals. CISC is concerned that OSHA is not affording smaller employers with the flexibility CISC members requested during the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings as well as during testimony from stakeholders during the SBREFA panels. For the reasons set forth more fully below, the CISC requests the Agency to thoroughly review all comments it receives from affected stakeholders and, at a minimum, carve out a separate standard for the construction industry.”  Our comments can be found here.

NGA’s Latest Release Offers Voluntary Guidance for Specification

NGA is proud to announce the publication of another new technical resource, eight years under development, Determining an Acceptable Color Variance for Decorative Glass.

This eight-page Glass Technical Paper (GTP) establishes a voluntary measurable industry acceptable color variance for decorative glazing products that can be used as a baseline for specification. The document addresses measuring tolerances, both reflected and transmitted, of decorative glazing with solid uniform color applied as a pigmented coating or interlayer.

The new GTP further defines optical density and transparency metrics and includes a table of suggested color tolerance for various glass substrates across batches. It also outlines measuring equipment and glass color calculation formulas.

2024 Design-Build Utilization Study

FMI Corporation released an updated 2024 Design-Build Utilization Study projecting design-build will account for over 47% of U.S. construction spending by 2028, surpassing $1.1 trillion in total construction spending over the next five years.projecting design-build will account for over 47% of U.S. construction spending by 2028, surpassing $1.1 trillion in total construction spending over the next five years.

The findings emphasize the critical importance of skilled Owner Advisors (OAs) in navigating complex projects and ensuring effective communication across teams. The study highlights the growing need to engage Underutilized Business Enterprises (UBEs) to address scalability challenges and promote meaningful participation in design-build project delivery. The study also reveals design-build’s early collaboration, innovative approaches and integration of UBEs provide unique opportunities to address supply chain challenges and enhance project outcomes.

Among the report’s highlights:

  • Market Growth: Design-build is forecast to grow at a 2.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2028, with public and private Owners increasingly adopting the method to mitigate challenges such as labor shortages and supply chain disruptions.
  • Sector Expansion: Manufacturing, highway/street and educational sectors are expected to see the largest design-build investments. In particular, the education sector is seeing rapid adoption due to its ability to handle tight schedules and evolving needs.
  • Progressive Design-Build: Progressive design-build is gaining momentum, particularly for water/wastewater and healthcare projects, offering flexibility and fostering innovation while maintaining cost predictability.
  • Talent Retention: The study emphasizes how design-build’s collaborative approach supports talent retention through enhanced team engagement and early involvement, addressing critical workforce challenges in the AEC industry.
  • Equity and Inclusion: The report highlights the increasing emphasis on involving UBEs, with strategic mentorship programs and early engagement helping to unlock new opportunities for smaller firms.

Learn more about the report:

  • Full FMI Report: Download the free full report.
  • Webinar: Join FMI’s Emily Beardall on January 29 for an in-depth discussion of the report’s key insights and their implications for the design-build community.
  • Podcast: Be on the lookout for February’s episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, where Beardall explores the results and narratives shaping design-build’s future. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

BuiltWorlds Recognizes 75 Global Innovators Across the Buildings and Infrastructure Industries

BuiltWorlds’ fifth annual Global Innovators awards has expanded from 50 to 75, acknowledging the industry’s increased appetite and bandwidth for innovation.

BuiltWorlds has released its 2024 Global Innovators list, which annually recognizes leading companies for their dedication and commitment to advancing change and innovation in the buildings and infrastructure construction industries.

“The Global Innovator awards are an annual recognition of the companies considered by the industry to be driving change, both internally and externally, in the most impactful and widespread ways. The intent of this award is to highlight those organizations on the leading and bleeding edges of innovation to inspire, educate, and inform the whole ecosystem,” says Tyler Sewall, senior research director for BuiltWorlds. “Companies on this list are the first movers, the lighthouses in the fog, and in certain instances the canaries in the coal mine for the global industry.

Check out the list of Global Innovators.

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 © 2024 United Parcel Service, UPS, UPS Capital, InsureShield, the UPS brandmark, and the color brown are trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved. 1/24

 

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