February 2025 eBulletin

As we wrap up an incredible 2025 convention, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this historic celebration of 100 years of AGCVA. This event was more than just a gathering—it was a powerful reminder of where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re headed as an industry.

AGCVA members have been up to a lot in the last month!

We are thrilled to recognize these accomplishments and recognitions, and we encourage you to connect with your fellow members and extend your congratulations!

Nonresidential construction planning carried its late-2024 momentum into the new year, posting growth across all sectors, according to Dodge Construction Network.

The Dodge Momentum Index, a benchmark that measures nonresidential construction planning, jumped 5.6% in January. Institutional planning, such as hospitals and education, led the month’s growth with an 8.7% increase, while commercial planning gained 4.2%, according to the report.

President Trump has announced that the U.S. will implement a 25% tariff on all imports of steel and aluminum, a move that ends all previous exemptions. The tariffs will largely affect materials from Canada, Mexico and Brazil. Nearly half of steel imports come from Mexico and Canada, while over half of all imported aluminum is from Canada, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Steel Manufacturers Association issued a press release praising the announcement, stating that tariffs on imports will help to “restore American manufacturing.” However, economists warn it will take time for domestic producers to meet the current demand.

AGC has reported on the big court win and the next steps for federal contractors in the MVL USA, Inc. vs. United States ruling that the federal mandate to use PLAs on virtually all federal large-scale projects is unlawful. As a result, the Department of Defense (DOD) has issued a class deviation which waives PLA requirements on all solicitations. The General Services Administration (GSA) followed suit in a February 12th memo but did so as a class exception. GSA’s memo waives the requirement to use a PLA for land port of entry projects going forward. More information on GSA’s approach is explained in this article here.

New legislation designed to do away with OSHA at a federal level will not move forward, an employment attorney told Construction Dive.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., last month proposed the Nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act, which would abolish the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 that created OSHA. 

Biggs introduced similar legislation in 2021, which stalled out after it was referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

In this episode of ConstructorCast, host Max Nelson engages with Adam Stark, founder of Jet.Build and host of the Veterans Who Build podcast, and Jesse Gemberling-Johnson, a Marine Corps veteran and Chief Talent Officer at mcfa. They explore the challenges veterans encounter when transitioning to civilian life, the alignment between military skills and those required in construction, and strategies contractors can employ to effectively recruit and retain veteran talent.

The discussion highlights the often untapped potential of veterans in the construction industry, emphasizing the value they bring through their discipline, leadership, and technical skills. The guests share insights into initiatives aimed at facilitating veterans’ entry into construction careers and provide resources for both veterans and employers to bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment.

Take a listen now!

The latest findings from SafetyCulture’s Feedback From the Field report provide a revealing look into the concerns and experiences of the U.S. construction workforce. The study, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by SafetyCulture, surveyed over 2,000 U.S. frontline workers and managers, shedding light on critical challenges facing the industry today. Key findings include:

• 74% of construction workers see skills and labor shortages as a significant issue;
• 33% report the impact is already being felt in the industry;
• 42% say these shortages are affecting their personal growth and development;
• $1.7 billion per year is estimated to be lost in unproductive downtime due to outdated tools and inefficiencies.

SAFETY

Head injuries are among the most common and serious workplace injuries. From 2021 to 2022, there were 195,720 head injuries reported in the US, 684 of which were fatal, according to the International Safety Equipment Association. For businesses, the financial implications are staggering. The National Safety Council reports the average cost of a workplace head injury claim is $91,844. This figure includes medical expenses, wage losses, administrative expenses, and other related costs.

Beyond the monetary impact, there’s an undeniable human cost, with the trauma from such injuries potentially leading to long-term physical, emotional, and psychological suffering for the affected individuals and their families. But while workplace head injuries remain a significant concern, they are largely preventable with the appropriate head protection.

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has introduced a new national voluntary consensus standard aimed at improving safety training on construction and demolition sites, two of the most hazardous work environments in the industry.

The newly published ANSI/ASSP A10.2-2025 standard, titled Safety, Health and Environmental Training for Construction and Demolition Operations, establishes best practices designed to help organizations mitigate risks that lead to injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.