OSHA Jobsite Inspections to Increase

Jobsite inspections on a construction project have many purposes. For credit managers, having intel on jobsite conditions can determine whether a project is on schedule, therefore, giving lenders a better idea of when to expect payment. According to U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta, construction projects may soon have more eyes on jobsites once a new round of OSHA employees complete their training.

Acosta made the written announcement last week, Construction Dive reports, after citing the hiring of nearly 80 new inspectors in fiscal year 2018. Although training for the new employees will last between one and three years, Acosta said he anticipates more jobsite inspections following President Donald Trump's $557 million request for OSHA in the fiscal year 2020 budget.

"[Acosta] told subcommittee members that OSHA had conducted 32,000 inspections each year in 2017 and 2018, an increase from 2016 figures," Construction Drive reports. "[The president's budget request is] an increase from last year, which would pay for additional staff, including 30 additional compliance officers and five more whistleblower investigators."

—Andrew Michaels, editorial associate