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October is National Depression Awareness Month

Depression is a common mental health condition that impacts millions of people each year. Many individuals do not recognize the symptoms of depression within themselves (or others) and suffer further as a result because they do not get connected to treatment. Depression can create challenges in all areas of life, including work. 

During National Depression Awareness Month, the BAC Member Assistance Program (MAP) recognizes the importance of screening for mental health conditions so that early intervention is possible and wellbeing can be improved. National Depression Screening Day occurs on October 9, 2026. You can take an online screening by clicking here.

Stronger Standards, Safer Workers: The Fight Against Silica Dust

Construction workers face various hazards from fall risks to heat illnesses, however, no hazard may be more difficult to spot than silica dust. Unlike more visible dangers on a jobsite, silica dust often lingers in the air unnoticed, making it particularly dangerous. Before the BAC and other unions helped to push the 2016 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) silica safety standard, around 2 million construction workers in the US alone were being exposed to crystalline silica annually. This widespread exposure meant that a significant portion of the workforce faced long-term health risks simply by performing everyday job tasks, often without realizing the severity of the danger.

Prevailing Wages: Myth vs. Fact

Prevailing wages on federally funded construction projects have not only stabilized local wage rates and labor standards for local wage earners and local contractors, but also prevented low-road contractors from bringing in low-rate workers from out of state. Even though the Davis-Bacon Act serves as a pillar holding up workers' rights, organizations like Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) have shared myths about the benefits of prevailing wages.