The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that 22 workers died in the first half of 2022 due to deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work. In response, OSHA has launched an enhanced nationwide enforcement effort and additional oversight of construction sites to ensure that contractors properly implement federal workplace safety requirements for... Continue Reading →
The following case study shows the importance of a well-drafted professional services agreement that clearly delineates a firm’s scope of services and explicitly places responsibility for site safety with the contractor. If the agreement provides for any construction phase services by the design professional, the agreement should include express language that the contractor is solely... Continue Reading →
As a result of Congressional action last year, the Department of Labor announced that it will raise by 78% the maximum penalties it can impose for violations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules. The changes affect penalties assessed after Aug. 1, 2016 for violations that occurred after Nov. 2, 2015. The Labor Department... Continue Reading →
Many of you may remember the collapse of a partially demolished building into a Salvation Army thrift store that killed 6 people and injured 14 in Philadelphia on June 5, 2013. The criminal trial against the demolition contractor is currently underway. He is charged with 6 counts of third-degree murder in addition to other charges... Continue Reading →
