Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto recently signed an executive order to fight construction fraud, promote worker safety, and protect city tax revenue.
The city recently experienced incidents involving unreported cash payments by subcontractors on construction projects. The Construction Fraud Executive Order cracks down on construction companies that commit tax, insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud.
It also aims to stop companies from paying workers in cash to avoid taxes. These practices allow corrupt firms to outbid honest ones and contribute to lost wages, decreased tax revenue, and unsafe and hazardous work sites, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.
The city’s department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections, and its Finance Department, will form a committee with several local building trade groups to examine city code and to create more accountable and transparent construction development processes. The executive order requires that contractors or developers receiving city subsidies must report all workers on the project site.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 7, 2017
More than half of Houston properties at high or moderate risk of flooding are not in FEMA flood zone
Properties outside of these zones are not required to carry flood insurance.
Codes and Standards | Sep 6, 2017
Seventy percent of contractors have trouble finding workers
AGC survey indicates that fewer companies may be able to bid on projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 5, 2017
New CTBUH initiatives to investigate link between fire and façades
In wake of Grenfell tragedy, Council forms new workgroup.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2017
U.S. markets with the largest hotel construction pipeline
New York has the largest hotel construction pipeline of any U.S. market.
Codes and Standards | Aug 30, 2017
Trump rescinds elevation requirements for federally funded buildings and infrastructure
Flood protection on subsidized housing, hospitals, and other public buildings rolled back.
Codes and Standards | Aug 30, 2017
Stormwater runoff mitigation pays off for some building owners
Rain gardens, green roofs, cisterns, and rainwater recycling add value.
Codes and Standards | Aug 28, 2017
Commercial properties address state carbon-reduction policies
EV charging stations, batteries, and microgrid technology are all part of effort to meet demand for cleaner power.
Codes and Standards | Aug 24, 2017
OSHA silica dust exposure enforcement begins Sept. 23
Vacuum dust collection, water-delivery systems, and respirators will be required.
Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2017
Cool roofs may increase air pollution
California’s requirement for cool roofs on new non-residential buildings could promote smog.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2017
Black market sales of OSHA training certifications plague New York City construction industry
Task force formed to get fake training cards off the streets and workers properly trained.
