Presentations from key federal agencies rounded out the expert management and risk sessions at AGC’s 2018 Construction Environmental Conference by providing attendees with updates and answering questions on several regulatory developments.  As part of its conference wrap-up, AGC provides below a list of the issues the government agencies discussed along with links to relevant articles and AGC’s comment letters, where applicable.  AGC appreciates the time and talent of all the speakers at the 2018 CEC that, based on participant feedback, exceeded expectations. To see more about this these speakers, click here.
For more information, contact Leah Pilconis at [email protected] or (703) 837-5332.

We have heard from AGC members that the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is not currently issuing cards to candidates passing their Crane Certification exams in Spanish.
Communications from exam proctors to successful candidate may read something like this:
“Unfortunately, the NCCCO will not issue cards to the candidates passing the exams in Spanish, as NCCCO are still awaiting approval/accreditation from ANSI. At this point, NCCCO only issues a letter to the successful candidate and his or her certification can be verified on NCCCO’s website.”
AGC approached OSHA to clarify how enforcement would take place in the absence of a physical card. We have been instructed that the card is not an issue as long as it can be independently verified. NCCCO’s process includes a letter and website verification. As such, AGC is relatively confident that the lack of a card does not present a potential violation of the standard. AGC is basing this estimation on the following communication with OSHA:
“You [AGC] are correct in that a testing organization must be accredited as meeting criteria specified by certification requirements of the cranes standard (subpart CC of 29 CFR Part 1926). As we understand per our discussion, you are aware that particular certifications offered by a testing organization are still under review for accrediting. The organization must first administer enough tests for psychometric evaluations before the reviews can be completed. However, the organization is still accredited to issue other crane operator certifications. In the interim, the organization issues letters to operators who passed certifications that are still under review and makes available all information required by the crane standard about the operators and the tests passed. You ask would this be considered a valid certification.
Because the organization is already accredited to issue other crane operator certifications, it meets the requirements of 29 CFR1926.1427(b)(1) and we have no reason at this time to conclude that the certifications which are still under review and issued by the organization are not valid.”
For more information please contact Kevin Cannon at (703) 837-5410 or [email protected].

In five days, general and specialty contractors, service providers, and suppliers have a unique opportunity to shape our future by helping to elect 35 US senators, 435 US representatives, 36 governors, and many statewide and local officials.
The construction industry and the millions of workers it employs have much at stake in this election. It is critical that we elect local, state, and federal leaders who are willing to work for common-sense solutions to the challenges facing the industry and its workforce.
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has prepared the following resources to help inform you and promote voting:

• Review the AGC Pre-Election Congressional Scorecard which lists how your U.S. senators and representative voted on legislation important to the construction industry.


• Download this template to send a Get-Out-the-Vote email reminder to colleagues.


• Post an Election Day reminder flyer in your office or jobsite.

Early Bird Registration ends October 31, 2018
The AGC Safety Management Training Course (SMTC) provides attendees with three days of training on the basic skills needed to manage a company safety program in the construction industry. The SMTC program builds on Focus Four training and prepares attendees to manage key safety issues on the job site and provides techniques for delivering basic safety training to field personnel. Participants will receive intensive instruction and training that will allow them to return to their firms with readily applicable new skills to positively impact their company’s safety and health program. Visit the Safety Management Course page page for more information.
For more information, contact Nazia Shah at (703) 837-5409 or [email protected].

Nov. 8, 2018 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Elections have consequences. And, those consequences can have implications for your construction business and marketplace—public or private. What will happen to the regulatory rollback? Is Congress likely to pass broad and far-reaching infrastructure legislation in 2019? Will the odds of legislation on workforce development, immigration reform, and multiemployer pensions improve? What state construction-related ballot initiatives have passed or failed? Register today for AGC’s Post-Election Webinar to hear answers to these questions and more on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.
The webinar is free to AGC members. Visit the AGC WebEd page to register today.
For more information, contact Jimmy Christianson at [email protected] or (703) 837-5325.

Early Registration Ends November 30, 2018
The AGC Financial Issues Committee (FIC) winter meeting will be held January 10-11 at the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort in Miami, Florida. Visit the meeting site to register and book your stay!
Member company CFOs, controllers, tax directors, sureties, and other senior accounting professionals who seek an opportunity to learn about and discuss financial issues facing the construction industry as well as formulate positions on tax and accounting matters for the association should attend. Meetings center around discussions with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), practitioners, and financial officer breakout groups on topics including internal controls, project performance reviews, and cybersecurity solutions. Attendees also have an opportunity to network and discuss matters like audit issues, executive and congressional action on federal tax policy, and best practices for industry professionals.
At the committee’s earlier meeting this summer in Washington, D.C., U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) addressed attendees and provided them with a legislative update. He also addressed the recently passed tax reform legislation and discussed how it impacts the construction industry and industry priorities. The group was also privy to a presentation on the new “Opportunity Zones,” created in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from Shay Hawkins, tax counsel to U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), received an update on the implementation of new accounting standards, and heard from AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson about the economic outlook for construction.
For more information, contact Matthew Turkstra at [email protected] or (202) 547-4733.