For Construction Safety Week (May 5-9) and OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, TAUC—alongside our Safety Alliance partners SMACNA, MCAA, and NECA—is proud to release five new safety training videos.

These brief, informative videos are designed to support your toolbox talks and safety stand-downs. Topics include:

Building on the success of our past efforts, the Safety Alliance remains committed to equipping employers and workers with practical resources to keep safety top of mind—on the jobsite and beyond.

Remember, safety isn’t just about physical hazards. Mental health matters, too. If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988 for immediate support.

Because it’s okay not to be okay—and everyone deserves to go home safe.

This Presidents’ Day, as we reflect on the monumental impact of U.S. Presidents who have shaped the nation, let’s extend our celebration to include the triumvirate of leadership that constructs the foundation of our industry: the Union Presidents, the Presidents of construction companies, and the Presidents of companies that hire union contractors. Together, they form a unique ‘union’ of collaboration, driving progress with determination, vision, and a shared sense of candor that would undoubtedly make Teddy Roosevelt chuckle in his rough-rider boots.

Architects of Compassion and Progress

Just as George Washington led his troops through the harsh winter at Valley Forge, the Presidents across our industry navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape. They wield not muskets and cannons but negotiation skills and visionary planning. While they may not don colonial attire, their leadership is just as revolutionary, aiming to build a future where every worker is valued and every project succeeds.

Unity in Diversity: A Legacy of Collective Achievement

Abraham Lincoln’s timeless wisdom, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” resonates profoundly within our industry. The Presidents at the helm of unions, construction companies, and client organizations work tirelessly to foster unity and cooperation. Their mission transcends individual goals, focusing instead on elevating the entire industry, ensuring fairness, and championing innovation.

The Modern-Day Monuments of Industry

In a nod to the enduring legacies of Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt, our Presidents navigate the challenges of the 21st century with grace and determination. They craft fair deals and champion new strategies that may not alter the course of a nation but significantly impact the lives of those who build and inhabit it. Their version of the Fireside Chat might be a well-crafted email or a town hall meeting, but the effect is the same: a strengthened community, heard and respected.

A Collective Tribute to Visionary Leaders

While there’s no Mount Rushmore to immortalize the faces of our industry’s Presidents, their achievements are carved into the skyline of our cities and the infrastructure that powers our daily lives. They might not have national holidays in their honor, but their legacy is celebrated every day through the projects completed and the standards raised.

In Conclusion: A Unified Salute to Service

As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, let’s also raise our hard hats to the Presidents who, through a blend of leadership, collaboration, and a bit of industry humor, guide the construction world. They may not enact laws, but they build bridges—literal and metaphorical—towards a future of prosperity and respect for all workers.

Here’s to the Presidents, of our unions, our construction firms, and our client companies—may your collaborations be fruitful, your projects successful, and your legacy enduring. Happy Presidents’ Day!

By Alex Kopp

In a recent initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced a significant shift in personal protective equipment (PPE) head protection standards for the construction industry. This change sees the replacement of traditional hard hats with modern safety helmets, a decision backed by many recent studies highlighting the advancements in helmet technology.

Traditional hard hats, a staple in the construction industry since the 1960s, have primarily offered top-of-the-head protection. However, their design limitations, particularly side impact protection and the absence of chin straps, have been a concern. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nearly 6% of non-fatal occupational injuries involving days away in 2020 involved head injuries, with a significant portion resulting from slips, trips, and falls – scenarios where traditional hard hats often fall short.

The new safety helmets are not just an upgrade in protection; they represent a paradigm shift in workplace safety. These helmets, inspired by designs used in mountain climbing and other high-risk activities, provide comprehensive head coverage. They can be equipped with additional features like face shields, goggles, and built-in hearing protection, addressing a wide range of safety concerns in hazardous work environments.

Recently, The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, with its extensive experience in evaluating protective headgear, is embarking on a critical 18-month project to develop a comprehensive rating system for occupational head protection. Funded by a coalition of organizations, including The Association of Union Constructors, the total research budget of $275K will analyze construction accident reports and generalize real-world conditions into controlled lab tests.

By May 2025, the lab will publish objective data on available occupational helmets and provide ratings that reflect the likelihood of injury, thereby enhancing safety standards in the industry. This new study and inclusion by the VT Helmet Lab underscore the growing recognition of the importance of safety innovation in the construction sector.

OSHA’s mandate is a proactive step towards reducing the risk of head injuries in the construction industry. By adopting these advanced safety helmets, employers not only comply with regulatory standards but also demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of their workforce. This move is a testament to the evolving understanding of occupational safety and the continuous efforts to create safer work environments. The idea that safety is stagnant is one of the past and will require progress like this in all aspects of construction and maintenance.

For more details on the OSHA announcement, visit https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/safety_helmet_shib.pdf

Or on the Virginia Tech Helmet lab Ratings at www.helmet.beam.vt.edu.

By Daniel Hogan

As we approach TAUC’s annual Construction Leadership Conference, scheduled for May 14-17, it’s a good time to reconsider what leadership means in the context of our industry. Often, conferences only see executives and top management attending, but this year, we should think about it differently. Leadership isn’t confined to those at the top; it’s a mindset, an approach to work and problem-solving that can be found at all levels of our organizations.

True leadership in construction transcends the traditional hierarchy. It’s about influence, vision, and the ability to drive positive change, regardless of one’s position. As we prepare for the conference, we need to consider all of the places leaders exist within our organizations. Perhaps they’re a seasoned project manager, a creative problem-solver on the site, or an innovative planner behind the scenes. These individuals, who exhibit leadership through their actions and decisions every day, are the ones who can truly benefit from and contribute to the conference.

This year, our goal is to reshape the notion of leadership within our sector. The conference is more than a gathering of executives; it’s an empowerment of ideas, experiences, and strategies from all true leaders within our industry. By reconsidering the definition of Construction Leadership, we create a richer, more diverse dialogue that better represents the multifaceted nature of our work.

So, as you make arrangements to attend this year’s Construction Leadership Conference, consider what leadership is beyond one’s title. Leaders are not just born; they’re made through experiences, challenges, and learning opportunities. Let’s use this event to not only learn about leadership but to identify and cultivate the leaders among us, for they are the ones who will drive our industry forward.

August 7-13 marked the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safe and Sound Week! TAUC is partnering with the MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA for a series of safety videos created for our Safety Alliance. We highlight mental health, fall protection, and many other OSHA Focus Four topics. Featuring leading safety experts from across the industry, this series puts safety where it should be – front and center. Take time to focus on safety, you’ll be glad you did!

Prioritize safety in your work and join us in focusing on a secure and sound environment. Explore the videos and learn more about OSHA’s Safe + Sound week here.

At last week’s Construction Leadership Conference 2023, keynote speaker and author Sterling Hawkins shared with our audience the #NoMatterWhat movement.

Many of the attendees engage with the presentation and shared via their mobile phone what their goals were, no matter what. In support of this members who are pursuing very specific achievements in their life, we want to share a reminder, from Sterling Hawkins, on what steps to take reach them.

In June the Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC) compiled the total package increases for Union Craft Workers in construction and provided a comprehensive report. Click below to see the full findings: