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At the recent ��ѻ��ý conference, one of the concerns that stood out is the design liability faced by construction companies. It is one of the most important risk management issues faced by general contractors today. Design liability concerns are not limited to just design-build projects. It is a hot-button issue for builders because the line between an architect’s responsibility to create sufficient design documents and a builder’s responsibility to execute the means, methods, and techniques is increasingly blurry. Problems arise when owners, design professionals, and builders point fingers, rather than truly collaborate, and communicate. While construction technologies used to assemble complex systems within buildings are increasingly sophisticated, such sophistication is unfortunately not matched with increased information sharing and effective communication.

ConsensusDocs recently presented a webinar entitled “Managing Subcontractor Default, Bankruptcy, and Owner Insolvency in a Recovering Post Covid-19 Construction Economy.” The webinar, moderated by Phil Beck, a partner in the law firm Smith, Currie, and Hancock LLP, highlighted several steps that construction professionals can proactively take to protect themselves and their projects’ success.

Staying abreast of the latest developments and trends in construction law is one of the best ways to mitigate your construction company’s risk. Knowledge at your fingertips is power. ConsensusDocs publishes a monthly construction law newsletter that is one of the best resources to stay on top of your game. Sign up for free here.

Accepts Many ��ѻ��ý Recommendations

Victory for Construction Advocacy Fund-Financed ��ѻ��ý Lawsuit

��ѻ��ý releases full report from its first-ever workforce summit which includes a lengthy catalog of steps firms, educators and ��ѻ��ý of America chapters are taking to address workforce shortages. It also includes 22 new recommendations summit participants crafted, to help overcome the recruiting, training and retention challenges behind construction workforce shortages. To learn more about the report and the 22 new recommendations, please register for the February 15 webinar on this topic. Click here to register for that event now.

Jeff Christianson is a graduate of Washington State University with a BS in Construction Management and holds a MS in Civil Engineering degree from University of Maryland. He joined Exxel Pacific, Inc. in 2003 and is currently a Senior Superintendent overseeing multiple projects in the greater Seattle area. Jeff is a LEED AP BD+C, a Certified Professional Constructor (CPC), and a PHIUS Certified Builder. He has served on the ��ѻ��ý of Washington CLC Steering Committee and is currently the incoming Vice-Chair of the ��ѻ��ý of America CLC. Additionally, Jeff was named the 2019 ��ѻ��ý of Washington Superintendent of the Year and was recognized by Engineering News-Record (ENR) as one of the Northwest’s 2019 Top Young Professionals. Jeff lives in Seattle with his wife and 3 children.

On January 19, ��ѻ��ý, along with the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance (SWACCA), submitted comprehensive comments to OSHA reiterating the construction industry’s success in protecting workers throughout the pandemic, while also reminding the agency of the low-risk nature of construction work. The joint comments further detailed how the ETS will exacerbate the workforce shortage for covered contractors, significantly increase construction project costs, and potentially result in delays that will undermine the nation’s economic recovery.