By Jack Rubinger, construction industry writer
With a new administration making its way toward the White House, we were curious about the potential impacts on the construction industry both in terms of jobs and safety. Historically, both parties have been supportive of infrastructure projects as they create jobs. Back in the 30s, FDR’s New Deal had a huge impact on jobs, and many of those projects remain visible to this day.
During FDR’s administration, the Public Works Administration (PWA), a New Deal government agency (1933–39), was created to reduce unemployment and increase purchasing power through the construction of highways and public buildings.
During its existence, the PWA spent about $4 billion in the construction of more than 70 percent of the nation’s new educational buildings; 65 percent of its new courthouses, city halls, and sewage-disposal plants; 35 percent of its new public health facilities; and 10 percent of all new roads, bridges, and subways. As the country started to move into a ramped-up war economy in 1939, the PWA was gradually liquidated.
Most believe there’s no black or white answer to questions about how the construction industry will fare with President-elect Biden.
It might be a win for those in the renewable energy and environmentalists, but it could represent a hard blow to those in the fossil fuel industries. Much depends on what the new administration will do about the potentially displaced workers due to these foreseen changes.
The difficult thing about change is that it is rarely swift.
“Sure, more jobs will be generated but will they be created in time to keep families from losing their homes? Will the change occur in time for those new college graduates with environmental and environmental engineering degrees to make payments on their student loans?,” asked Yorlanda Fisher, Warriors 4 Safety.
Fisher is also concerned about the training for those that have been working in the fossil fuels industry for years, and are now entering a new realm of the same industry. There are many of the same hazards, but they are presented differently. There is a lot of knowledge gained outside of the classroom and the controlled environment of technical and vocational schools. Will there be enough experienced journeymen and craftsmen to pass that knowledge on to the incoming journeymen and craftsmen?
The policy changes issued by OSHA and the EPA will roll out – but how long before they are effective? Those of us in the business are aware of how long it takes these entities to issue final rulings. What will stop corporations and small business owners from waiting for the next administration to issue more business friendly policies?
“I think that the new administration will continue with many of the Obama era policies with just enough variance to make it their own. Thing is, how will they succeed without hurting the current workforce?,” asked Fisher.
Others believe that jobs will go overseas again with the new administration.
For Jackson Strong, who runs a roofing construction company, having a new president and administration will not likely have an impact on his business as roofs generally need to be replaced about every 20 years whether a Democrat or Republican is in office. Although he believes that construction might slow down generally during the next administration, new construction may decrease.
Chuck Mazzanti, a risk manager with the Horton Group, believes that there will be a renewed emphasis on infrastructure spending and road contracts, based on past Democratic administrations.
“Hopefully, Biden will get an infrastructure deal done quickly,” said Mazzanti.
Changes coming to OSHA
Joaquin Diaz, a construction supervisor from Portland, Oregon, believes that the Trump Administration’s OSHA did not have a confirmed leader at the helm to drive a regulatory agenda. Diaz felt that the leadership of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor, Loren Sweatt, attempted to manage the organization for the last four years while overseeing a decline in staff and workforce levels and limited vision from the administration.
“Will a Biden Administration change the trajectory of OSHA?,” asked Diaz. “If history is a guide, it might. What does this mean for the construction industry? It may lead to an increase in inspections, investigations, and complaint follow ups. There may be an opportunity to review current regulations and identify gaps and updates necessary to improve safety and health.”
“What my past experience tells me there will be more regulations,” said James Lehrke, Safety Connections, Inc. “And that in turn will not allow for the kinds of wage increases we have seen in the last number of years.”
President-Elect Biden recently appointed Dr. David Michaels to the COVID-19 task force. Dr. Michaels was the past Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. It is possible that we can anticipate, with his presence, some form of workplace emphasis, including a regulation, to address infectious diseases.
There might be increased hiring of staff and technical positions to replenish any losses from the last few years. It is possible that OSHA will resume Obama era OSHA strategies, including additional worker whistleblower protections and employer accountability.
Again, we’re basing predictions on the past, but whatever happens, we still have to get through this pandemic. Hopefully, with a vaccine almost here, positive changes await us in 2021.
About the Author
Jack Rubinger is a freelance writer, with more than 10+ years of workplace safety and construction industry research and writing experience. Looking for an article on a specific construction topic? Contact: jackrubinger814@gmail.com or call 503-964-4877.
