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Ensuring Safe Working Conditions Amid Poor Air Quality

Another day, another air quality alert.

As construction professionals, we are no strangers to the challenges posed by nature. However, when the air quality is severely impacted by external factors (such as wildfires in Canada), it becomes very necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of our teams. Over the month of June, there have been numerous reports from the National Weather Service highlighting the up-and-down air quality in Minnesota (we had the worst air quality in the country last Wednesday, June 14), making it crucial to adopt appropriate measures and utilize specific types of gear to mitigate the risks.

Here, we discuss the importance of safe working conditions and provide guidelines, along with recommended gear, for construction professionals operating outdoors during times of awful air quality.

Understanding the Risks
Wildfire smoke can contain harmful pollutants and particulate matter that can significantly impact air quality. These fine particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, causing respiratory issues, eye irritation, and exacerbating existing health conditions. Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can have severe consequences, and it's best to be proactive in addressing these risks.

Monitor Air Quality
Stay updated with the latest information from the National Weather Service or local authorities regarding air quality index (AQI) readings. Utilize reliable air quality apps or websites to track real-time data for your specific area. 

Some popular air quality apps include:

• AirNow - The official app from the United State Environmental Agency (EPA) provides real-time AQI information and forecasts for various locations.
• Plume Labs - This app offers personalized air quality forecasts, real-time pollution apps, and health recommendations based on your location.
• BreezoMeter - Breezeometer provides hyperlocal air quality data, along with a user-friendly interface, to help you stay informed about the air quality conditions in your area.
• IQAir - Known for its air purifiers, IQAir also offers an app that provides real-time air quality information, personalized health recommendations, and historical data analysis.
• PurpleAir - This app utilizes data from a global network of air quality sensors to provide real-time air quality information, including particle pollutions (PM2.5 and PM10) levels.

Please Note: It's recommended to check your local region for specific air quality apps that may be more relevant and accurate for your area.

Adjust Work Schedules
Whenever possible, consider rescheduling outdoor activities to periods with better air quality. If the work cannot be postponed, plan tasks in a way that minimizes exposure during peak pollution times.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Important pieces of PPE on days with low air quality should include Respiratory Protection with N95 or higher-rated masks, which offer effective filtration against harmful particles present in wildfire smoke. Fit-testing should be conducted to ensure a proper seal. Eye Protection, such as safety glasses or goggles, should be encouraged to protect the eyes from smoke and irritants. Depending on the nature of the work, consider providing gloves for Hand Protection against hazardous materials and irritants.

Create Safe Zones
Establish designated areas with clean air where workers can take breaks from the poor air quality. These zones should ideally be indoors or protected by effective air filtration systems.

Signs to watch for among your workers for potential illness due to the poor air quality:

• Respiratory Symptoms - coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness.
• Irritated Eyes, Nose + Throat - watery or itchy eyes, a runny or congested nose, and a sore or scratchy throat.
• Headaches and Dizziness - persistent headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Fatigue + Weakness - unusually tired, weak or a general lack of energy not typical.
• Allergic reactions - frequent sneezing, nasal congestion, skin rashes, or hives.
• Worsening of Existing Health Conditions - illnesses such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can easily become exacerbated.

Please Note: Signs may vary from person to person, and the severity of symptoms can also differ. 

Hydration and Rest
Encourage workers to stay well-hydrated and take regular breaks in a clean environment, helping reduce fatigue and ensuring their overall well-being.

Education and Awareness
Conduct regular safety meetings to educate your team about the risks associated with poor air quality and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. Encourage open communication and address any concerns or questions they may have.

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The health and safety of our workers should always be our priority, especially when faced with challenges such as severe air pollution. By closely monitoring air quality, encouraging workers to seek medical attention if they're feeling unwell, and utilizing specific types of gear such as N95 masks, safety glasses, and gloves, we as an industry can ensure a safer working environment.

Remember, proactive steps taken today will go a long way in safeguarding the well-being of our teams and mitigating potential health risks. Stay informed, stay safe!

Six Actionable Tips for Ensuring Trench Safety in Minnesota

June has been declared National Trench Safety Month by the National Utility Contractors Association. For Minnesota's construction professionals working literally in the trenches, safety must be a priority due to the unique challenges posed by the state's soil conditions and climate.

Within this post, we will explore actionable tips specific to Minnesota for construction pros to create a safe working environment when dealing with trenches.

1.) Understand Minnesota's Soil Conditions
Minnesota's diverse geography presents varying soil types, including clay, sand, and loam. Familiarizing oneself with the specific soil conditions found on your jobsite will help your crew assess the stability and potential risks associated with trench work. Consult soil engineers or geotechnical experts for guidance on shoring and shielding techniques appropriate for the soil composition. Minnesota's Geospatial Information Office offers information about county-level and statewide digital data sets describing the soils of Minnesota.

provides information about county-level and statewide digital data sets that describe the soils of Minnesota. Status information and links to detailed descriptions of the characteristics and limitations of the data sets are provided.

2.) Account for Extreme Weather Conditions
Minnesota experiences harsh winters and heavy rainfall, which can impact trench safety. Plan trench work to avoid freezing temperatures whenever possible. During the rainy season, implement proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation. Monitor weather forecasts regularly and take necessary precautions to maintain a safe working environment.

3.) Comply with Minnesota OSHA Regulations
Familiarize yourself and your crew with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations specific to Minnesota. Ensure that your site adheres to the state's excavation and trenching standards, including proper slope angles, benching, and shoring requirements. Stay updated on any changes in regulations and incorporate them into your trench safety protocols.

4.) Engage in Ongoing Training and Certification
Encourage your workforce to undergo training programs that address trench safety. Organizations like the Minnesota Safety Council offer specialized courses on excavation and trenching safety. Encourage workers to obtain certifications such as Competent Person Training to enhance their knowledge and expertise in trench safety practices.

5.) Collaborate with Local Utility Companies
Before starting trenching work, contact local utility companies to identify the location of underground utilities. Collaborate closely with them to ensure proper utility markings and to avoid accidental utility strikes during excavation. Remember to follow the guidelines set forth by Minnesota's "One Call" system to protect underground infrastructure.

6.) Stay Informed about Local Safety Resources
Minnesota provides various safety resources and organizations to assist construction professionals in promoting trench safety. Familiarize yourself with resources such as the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Construction Codes and Licensing Division, which provides guidance on safe excavation practices.

By focusing on trench safety with a Minnesota-specific approach, construction professionals can effectively mitigate risks and ensure the well-being of their workers. Adhering to state regulations, understanding local soil conditions, and leveraging available resources will enable you to create a safe working environment. Prioritizing trench safety is crucial for project success, worker protection, and overall industry advancement in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Top Risks, Causes of Loss and Growth Drivers for the Construction Sector in 2023

While the long-term future outlook of the construction industry is positive, the industry is also facing a number of challenges such as the prospect of recession, the shortage and rising cost of materials, the shortage of skilled labor, a spike in procurement costs, compromised supply chains and more.

Every year, risk-management experts in the construction sector (and a host of other industries as well) rank their top risks for the year ahead as part of an annual Allianz risk barometer report. In 2023 business and supply chain disruptions and natural catastrophes ranked first and second respectively among top perils for the construction industry. Why are these two perils of greatest concern to industry professionals? Simply put, larger values are at risk for companies.

BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS
Construction costs are soaring because of inflation as well as prices for energy and raw materials. Replacement is costing more and taking longer. Materials can also often be unavailable due to logistics, shipping and supply chain bottlenecks. The end result is that any property damage and business interruption losses are now likely to be significantly higher than they were before COVID-19 began.

NATURAL CATASTOPHES
An AGCS analysis of construction insurance industry claims around the world over a five year period shows that natural hazards are already the second more expensive cause of loss for businesses, accounting for almost 20% of the value of claims (second only to fire and explosion at 27%) and are also the most frequent cause of losses. Construction sites need to give more consideration to the impact of extreme events, such as wildfires, flash flooding, and landslides in their risk assessments.

With climate change increasing the frequency and severity of these kinds of events, the costs of property damage and business interruption are expected to escalate. Business continuity plans should be regularly updated and tested. It is also increasingly important that businesses work with insurers to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date valuations of their assets so they can be fully reimbursed in the event of any future loss.

DRIVE FOR NET ZERO
New technologies, innovative delivery methods and greener, leaner practices mean the construction industry is poised to embrace and benefit from more sustainable approaches. Such innovation is necessary in the face of mounting pressures; Not only are investors and consumers voicing louder concerns about environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, but legislation, regulation and reporting requirements are also evolving quickly in many areas around the world.

The switch to sustainable energy and the adoption of modern building methods will transform the risk landscape, with radical changes in design, materials and construction processes. In order to meet carbon reduction targets, rapid adoption will likely be required, meaning close cooperation between insurers, brokers and clients, to share data and experiences to help underwrite what can be prototypical risks. 

Deployment of new technologies can also bring new risk scenarios such as potential defects or unexpected safety or environmental consequences; but they can also bring benefits. For example, modular construction can mean less construction waste, shorter timelines and reduced disruption to the environment. However, it also raises concerns about potential repetitive loss scenarios. Continued risk monitoring and management controls will be key while design review and on-site quality controls are essential to safeguard cost-effective project execution and delivery outcomes.

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To transform successfully, sector players must be bold in traversing challenges, confidently overcoming uncertainty and laying the foundations for future success and sustainability. Collaboration is key when it comes to exposure and innovation, and insurers such as AGCS have the capacity, engineering expertise and underwriting experience to apply to transition activities, whether this is supporting green hydrogen facilities, sustainable construction projects, offshore wind farms, or something yet to be discovered.

2023 Mid-Session Legislative Overview

The 2023 Legislature is past its mid-season mark. Finance committees have passed their budget provisions, with negotiations between the House and Senate budget bills occurring this month.

With appreciation to the Association for General Contractors (AGC) for this overview, here are a handful of highlighted key items worth noting that directly affect the construction industry (a link to the full overview can be found at the end of this post):
 

• IIJA FORMULA MATCH
One piece of unfinished business from last session landed on the Governor's desk on February 6th and was signed into law. Minnesota Laws 2023 Chapter 6 appropriates $315.5 million from the trunk highway fund in FY 2023 to MnDOT for state road construction work on the trunk highway system. This amount reflects federal funds currently accessible under the infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the state's roads. 
 

• CAPITAL INVESTMENT / BONDING
The House passed a $1.5 billion dollar bonding bill and additional $400 million in cash-funded projects in early March, but the Senate failed to muster the necessary 3/5ths majority for passage. The final fate of a public works package in the form of a bonding bill will be dependent upon the required minority (Republican) votes in the Senate. While Senate Republicans have said they ultimately support passage of a bonding bill, they do not support a bill before action on tax cuts. The DFL majority has indicated they will use cash from the surplus if Senate Republicans do not support a bonding bill by the end of session. See a full list of programs and projects in the current bill.
 

• LIABILITY FOR CONTRACTORS / WAGE THEFT 
HF1859 / SF1988 makes construction contractors civilly liable when workers make a claim for unpaid wages or fringe benefits. "Contractor" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, company, organization, or their entity, including a construction manager, general or prime contractor, joint venture, or any combination thereof, along with their successors, heirs, and assigns, which enters into a construction contract with an owner. An owner is also deemed a contractor and liable as such under the bill if the owner has entered into a construction contract with more than one contractor or subcontractor on any construction site.

A contractor can request payroll records of subcontractors. Language included in the House Labor and Industry omnibus bill requires a subcontractor to provide the information within 15 days of the request, but is silent on consequences if records are not produced in that time frame. The bill has one final committee stop in both the House and the Senate, and is included in a House omnibus bill. All versions include intended exemptions for contractors signatory to a collective bargaining agreement with a building and construction trade, and prevailing wage projects.

If passed, the bill would be effective on August 1, 2023, and would apply to contracts signed, renewed, amended, or modified after that date. 
 

• PAID FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE
A newly created paid family and medical leave insurance program would be funded by a payroll tax of 0.7% that can be evenly split between employers and employees and would begin in 2025. HF2/SF2 are moving through the legislative process with a similarly structured program despite some differing language between the bills. For example, the Senate lowered the total allowable leave time from 24 to 20 weeks. Similar to unemployment insurance, employees meeting the eligibility criteria can apply to the state foa tiered wage replacement. 
 

• LEGALIZATION OF ADULT-USE CANNABIS
HF100 / SF73 establishes a regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis and lower potency hemp edibles, moves the medical cannabis program under the newly created Office of Cannabis Management, establishes taxes on regulated products, creates grants to assist individuals entering into the legal cannabis market, amends criminal penalties, provides for expungement and resentencing of certain convictions, and more. Current language in both bills includes the definition of "safety-sensitive position," meaning a job, including in which an impairment caused by drugs, or alcohol, or cannabis usage would threaten the health or safety of any person and allow for testing. The bills have been heard in more than a dozen committees and language continues to be amended in the process.
 

• PROCUREMENT - CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK
HF1555 authorizes Construction Manager at Risk delivery model for municipalities and was passed to the House floor.

A similar bill was also heard in the House State Government Committee authorizing Hennepin County to use construction manager at risk method of project delivery. HF1784 also adds a provision to the Hennepin County competitive bidding statute that allows a contract of $500,000 or less to be made through sealed bids or by direct negotiation and without advertising for bids provided that a business that is directly solicited is certified as either a small business enterprise or a small business that is majority owned and operated by a veteran or a service-disabled veteran. This provision is notwithstanding the uniform municipal contracting law threshold, which states that sealed bids and direct negotiations may occur on contracts exceeding $25,000 but not $175,000. Both bills passed and can be taken up by the House for a full vote at any time during session. The provisions are also included in the House State and Local Government omnibus bill.
 

• SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS 
SF1519 would streamline the process local units of government must follow to receive the sales tax exemption on materials used in construction projects when a contractor initially purchases the project materials. A contractor purchasing materials for a city would continue to pay the sales tax, but a city could then file for a refund of the tax with the Dept. of Revenue based upon documentation of the material purchases. The bill was heard in Senate Taxes and might b included in a future omnibus tax bill. 
 

• "BUY CLEAN" TASK FORCE 
Both the House and Senate Climate and Energy omnibus bills contain provisions to create the Environmental Standards Procurement Task Force. AGC worked with stakeholders to craft a workable construct and includes building and transportation representation on the task force. If passed into law, the task force will examine issues surrounding implentation of a program requiring vendors of certain construction materials purchased to:

 • submit environmental product declarations that asses the lifecycle environmental impacts; and
 • meet greenhouse gas emission reduction standards established by the commissioner of administration.

The task force will also examine:

 • which construction materials should be subjected to program requirements; 
 • what factors should be considered for greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in material product and manufacturing processes;
 • a schedule for the development of standards for specific materials and to include those standards into the purchasing process;
 • financial incentives for vendors developing products;
 • the provision of grants to defer vendor costs;
 • how to coordinate with federal programs; and
 • how the issues set forth in this subdivision interact with other state agencies and policies.
 

• CONTRACTS - DUTY TO DEFEND & BANNING PROJECT-SPECIFIC INSURANCE 
HF865/SF754 adds "defend" to the definition of "indemnification agreement" in building and construction contracts. It also bands project-specific insurance beyond insurance programs such as owner or contractor-controlled insurance policies. The bill passed through necessary committees and can be taken up by the House or the Senate at any time during session. Language, which differs slightly between the House and the Senate, was also included in the House Judiciary and Civil Law omnibus and Senate Labor omnibus bills. 

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This full 2023 mid-session legislative overview can be found on AGC's website HERE.

7 Women Who Paved the Construction Industry

As we celebrate and recognize the many women working throughout the construction industry during Women in Construction (WIC) Week, we want to take a moment to recognize those who paved the way. 

Women were mentioned as construction workers as early as the 13th century. In the 19th century, individual women began defying gender restrictions to fill important construction roles, although their contributions were not fully realized at the time. From the woman who supervised construction of the Brooklyn Bridge when her husband became ill to the first female architects to an originator of ergonomic design, these women made history and paved the way for future generations of women in the field.

World War II gave women new opportunities for non-traditional work. By 1943, with thousands of men serving overseas in the military, women were filling many of the country's critical mechanical, technical, and physical labor roles. Rosie the Riveter became a symbol of the times. Westinghouse trained dozens of women in electrical engineering because of the shortage of male workers. But when the war ended, many of these opportunities evaporated. 

As labor shortages continue to grow in the construction industry, bringing additional women into the workforce represents and opportunity. In addition, a 2020 report by McKinsey & Co. showed that highly gender-diverse companies are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability than companies with less diversity. Plus, we already know women have a lot to offer in a competitive industry like construction.

We recognize and applaud the following six women for their participation in architecture, engineering and construction, and their names may not be as famous as some of their male counterparts, but the industry would not be the same today without their contributions.

LADY ELIZABETH WILBRAHAM (1632 - 1705)
Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham is the first known woman architect to draw up her own designs. She designed grand houses for her extended family. Wilbraham may have been involved in hundreds of other buildings for which she could not take credit at the time, including several London churches which are officially attributed to famous architect Christopher Wren.

EMILY WARREN ROEBLING (1843 - 1903)
Emily Roebling became one of the first documented women in construction. In 1872, after her husband fell ill, Roebling took over as a representative of his position of chief engineer to oversee the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge. Although her husband retained the title, Roebling carried out the duties of Chief Engineer knowledgably --- learning materials science, stress analysis and cable performance --- to serve as project manager and construction supervisor for 11 years until the project's completion. Roebling was also honored as the first person to ever walk across it.

ETHEL CHARLES (1871 - 1962)
In 1898, the first woman architect gained full professional recognition in England when Ethel Charles was admitted to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Unable to win large commissions, she worked on improving laborer' cottages. Her designs are now regarded as significant contributions to the garden city concept, in which residential communities are surrounded with greenbelt land.

JULIA MORGAN (1872 - 1957) 
After gaining a degree in civil engineering from the University of California in 1989, Julia Morgan was the first woman to be admitted to the renowned architecture program at Ecole de Beaux-Arts in Paris. She returned to California and became the first licensed female architect in the state and an outstanding residential designer in the Arts and Crafts style. Her most famous residence, however, was Hearst Castle, for which she applied her knowledge of classical architecture and reinforced concrete. She was both designer and construction supervisor on the 28-year project.

EDITH CLARKE (1883 - 1959) 
Edith Clarke is an important figure in the field of electrical engineering. In 1921, she patented a graphing calculator used to solve power transmission line problems, and she was later involved in offering electrical engineering solutions for dam building. She was the first woman to earn a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT and went on to teach electrical engineering later in her career. Her inventions, including the graphing calculator, are still used today.

LILLIAN GILBRETH (1878 - 1972)
Lillian Gilbreth is credited with many "firsts" in the field of engineering, including household appliance and kitchen designs, many of which are still used today in residential design and construction. In 1926, she became the first female member of the Society of Mechanical Engineers; in 1951, she was the first woman to earn a PHD in engineering; and in 1965 (when she was in her late 80s), she became the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Heralded as a pioneer in the field of industrial engineering and psychology, Gilbreth focused on the human side of residential and office construction through human factor design and ergonomics as well as construction processes.

ELSIE EAVES (1898 - 1983) 
Elsie Eaves became the first women to be inducted as a full member of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1927. Although she managed many major projects, her most important contribution was her concept of collecting data to track and report trends and spending with construction projects. She invented databases before there were even computers and had a significant impact on how residential and commercial building projects are managed today.

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Of course, there are many more women who worked to move the industry forward with dedication, innovation, and inspiration throughout history.

Today, the construction industry remains predominantly male. Only 10.9% of the industry workforce are women, and most of them are office workers. On the jobsite, women account for one out of every 100 workers and technicians. Though still perceived as a male-dominated industry in the 21st century, women have and will continue to significantly impact the industry as we know it.

2023 Look Ahead: What to Watch in Local Governments This Year

Below, we take a look at how five major policy issues that are often discussed in national politics are playing out in local governments by the number of conversations happening at city council meetings, county planning commissions, development meetings, zoning boards, district meetings, school board meetings, state boards, and more (this is the number found at the end of each listed topic). With each policy issue, five emerging or controversial topics have been identified, and those highlighted are of particular interest regarding the construction industry.

CARBON EMISSIONS
The Biden Administration has established a goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy in order to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Local governments are taking their own steps to reduce carbon emissions. Here are some of the most popular strategies that were discussed in 2022.

1.) Clean Transit: Transitioning public transportation toward zero- or low- emission vehicles (2,447)
2.) Building Electrification: Shifting to the use of electricity rather than fossil fuels for heating and cooking (1,841)
3.) Carbon Capture: Capturing and storing carbon dioxide produced by power generation and industry before it enters the atmosphere (1,035)
4.) Decarbonization: Reducing carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas output through low-carbon power sources (882)
5.) Fossil Fuel Bans: Restricting or banning new fossil fuel infrastructure, fossil fuel production, and natural gas hookups in new construction (390)

VEHICLE POLICY
The emergence of autonomous driving technology and electric vehicles has many implications for local driving laws, transportation infrastructure, and more. Communities are responding to these new technologies, as well as concerns about carbon emissions, with a variety of policies related to vehicles.

1.) Electric Vehicles: Regulating vehicles that use one or more electric motors for propulsion, including road and rail vehicles, aquatic vessels, and aircraft (12,211)
2.) EV Charging Infrastructure: Planning for electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure (6,297)
3.) Autonomous Vehicles: Regulating the use of autonomous vehicles (648)
4.) Gas Powered Vehicle Bans: Discussing the possibility of banning gas-powered vehicles (50)
5.) Personal Vehicle Policy: Regulating personal vehicles, including insurance info, allowance/restriction in certain areas, discussions relating to ride-sharing/vehicles for hire, etc (38)

CLEAN ENERGY
Driven by concerns about climate change and a desire to produce energy locally, communities are exploring a wide variety of options for the generation and distribution of clean energy.

1.) Solar Policy: Discussions related to the development and usage of solar power for the purposes of electricity generation, and updates to solar code and ordinances (9,493)
2.) Biomass and Biogas Energy: Discussions related to using plant or animal materials as fuel to produce energy (1,968)
3.) Wind Policy: Policy, plans, funding, and broad issues surrounding wind energy (1,662)
4.) Distributed Generation: Discussions related to technologies that generate electricity at or near where it will be used (472)
5.) Geothermal Energy: Discussions related to capturing and using the heat produced by the earth's core for heating structures, or generating steam to produce electricity (42)

HEALTHCARE
New technologies and medical developments in healthcare delivery, the ongoing opioid crisis, and changing cultural attitudes about reproductive health have pushed a variety of healthcare-related issues to the foreground in local government discussions.

1.) Substance Abuse & Misuse: Discussions about substance abuse prevention and assistance; includes initiatives for those currently experiencing substance abuse as well as those in recovery (3,780)
2.) Abortion: Policies, discussions, and regulations related to the various methods for terminating a pregnancy (1,568)
3.) Telehealth: Regulating remote health services including virtual health visits, pharmacy services, and remote dentistry (424)
4.) Controlled Substances: Policies and discussions regarding controlled substances (248)
5.) Psychedelic Drugs: Discussions, policies and regulations about psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin mushrooms (4)

LABOR
As many industries face labor shortages and rising labor costs, organizations are looking into a variety of ways to enhance their productivity and efficiency without adding more full-time staff. Some of those efforts include changing employees scheduling policies, investing in robotics and automation, and relying on independent contractors. In many cases, these strategies have led to backlash from workers and organizations representing workers, prompting local governments to examine the issues.

1.) Wages: Discussions related to minimum wage, living wage laws, hazard/hero pay and equal compensation (5,344)
2.) Prevailing Wages: Discussions related to regulations that require certain companies to pay the average hourly rate of wages and benefits paid to similarly employed workers in a given geography (4,795)
3.) Independent Contractor Policy: Discussions regarding independent contractors, gig workers, and app-based workers, including issues such as portable benefits, hourly restrictions, etc (2,202)
4.) Robotics in the Workforce: Discussions surrounding the use of robotics and automation in the workforce, especially to replace human labor (63)
5.) Secure Schedule: Discussion on workforce rights for employees to have notice of their schedule in advance (48)

The data above was sourced from Curate and its database, which includes weekly meeting minutes and agency documents from more than 12,000 cities, counties, and districts; more than 4,000 school  boards; and more than 200 state boards.