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WEEKLY DISPATCH
House committee moves to block OSHA from moving forward on a workplace heat bill
Safety+Health Magazine·Jul 22, 2026

House committee moves to block OSHA from moving forward on a workplace heat bill

The House Education and Workforce Committee passed H.R. 6213, legislation that would block OSHA from establishing workplace heat illness and injury prevention standards. The bill aims to prevent the federal agency from issuing or publishing any heat-related safety regulations.

Workforce
How Construction Leaders Can Train Supervisors to Support Sustained Recovery of Injured Workers
Construction Executive·Jul 22, 2026

How Construction Leaders Can Train Supervisors to Support Sustained Recovery of Injured Workers

Injured worker recovery in construction requires more than medical care—supervisors need proper training to support employees throughout their rehabilitation. Construction companies that equip their leaders with recovery support strategies can improve outcomes and help workers return to full productivity.

Workforce
MSHA providing up to $250K in safety education and training grants
Safety+Health Magazine·Jul 22, 2026

MSHA providing up to $250K in safety education and training grants

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is offering up to $250,000 in Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants for organizations to develop educational and training programs. Applications are due by August 31 and are open to states, territories, and public and private organizations.

Workforce
Purdue’s 3D Printed Groundwater Sensor brings low cost scientific instruments to USGS
3D Printing Industry·Jul 22, 2026

Purdue’s 3D Printed Groundwater Sensor brings low cost scientific instruments to USGS

Purdue University researchers developed a 3D-printed, open-source groundwater sensor that costs a few hundred dollars compared to thousands for commercial alternatives, making advanced monitoring tools accessible to more organizations. The innovation allows the USGS and other agencies to deploy more sensors across projects without the significant expense of specialized equipment.

3D Printing
WEEKLY DISPATCH
U.K.-based Humanoid secures $152M in Series A funding
Robotics Business Review·Jul 21, 2026

U.K.-based Humanoid secures $152M in Series A funding

U.K.-based Humanoid has secured $152 million in Series A funding at a $1.35 billion valuation to scale its AI-driven industrial robots. The company is expanding commercial deployments of its robotic systems for industrial applications.

AI & MLRobotics
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Trinity prints Ireland’s first cement-free geopolymer
3D Printing Industry·Jul 22, 2026

Trinity prints Ireland’s first cement-free geopolymer

Trinity College Dublin researchers have 3D printed Ireland's first cement-free geopolymer, a construction material made largely from industrial waste that eliminates Portland cement. The new material significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete, according to preliminary estimates from the research team.

3D PrintingMaterials
Vicarious Surgical officially shutting down
Robotics Business Review·Jul 21, 2026

Vicarious Surgical officially shutting down

Vicarious Surgical, a surgical robotics company that raised approximately $300 million including through a 2021 SPAC merger, is officially shutting down. The closure marks another setback in the robotic surgery space despite significant investor backing.

Robotics
4 Benefits of Using a Commercial Construction Leads Service (and How to Choose the Right One)
ConstructConnect·Jul 21, 2026

4 Benefits of Using a Commercial Construction Leads Service (and How to Choose the Right One)

Commercial construction leads services are software platforms that consolidate public and private project databases into a single searchable tool, eliminating the need for cold calling and manual permit searches. These services help contractors maintain a consistent pipeline by surfacing relevant bidding opportunities in real time.

Workforce
Generative Bionics unveils humanoid robot with full-body tactile sensing
Robotics Business Review·Jul 21, 2026

Generative Bionics unveils humanoid robot with full-body tactile sensing

Generative Bionics has introduced the Gene.01 humanoid robot equipped with full-body tactile sensing across its entire surface. This sensory capability allows the robot to detect human presence and respond quickly, potentially improving collaboration and safety on job sites.

RoboticsAutonomy
Investigation of fatal explosion focuses on gas monitoring and detection
Safety+Health Magazine·Jul 21, 2026

Investigation of fatal explosion focuses on gas monitoring and detection

The Chemical Safety Board is investigating a fatal explosion involving hydrogen sulfide and recommends that employers deploy gas monitoring equipment to detect hazardous chemical releases. Proper gas detection technology can help prevent similar incidents and protect workers on job sites.

Safety
Wonder of the World Part II: National Geographic’s Museum of Exploration Opens in Downtown D.C.
Construction Executive·Jul 21, 2026

Wonder of the World Part II: National Geographic’s Museum of Exploration Opens in Downtown D.C.

National Geographic opened a new Museum of Exploration in downtown Washington D.C., featuring exhibits and interactive experiences centered on exploration and discovery. The museum hosted a press preview with notable explorers including the founder of the Nat Geo Photo Ark and the discoverer of the RMS Titanic.

Coming in August: annual truck and bus brake inspection blitz
Safety+Health Magazine·Jul 21, 2026

Coming in August: annual truck and bus brake inspection blitz

Commercial motor vehicle inspectors across North America will conduct brake system inspections during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Brake Safety Week from August 23-29. Inspectors will perform both announced and unannounced inspections with special attention to brake drums on trucks and buses.

Safety
July Autodesk Forma Construction Releases – Built for What’s Next
Autodesk Construction Cloud Blog·Jul 21, 2026

July Autodesk Forma Construction Releases – Built for What’s Next

Autodesk Construction Cloud has been rebranded under the Autodesk Forma industry cloud umbrella, with related products being renamed to align with the new Forma brand. The company is releasing updates in July as part of this evolution to unify its construction technology offerings.

Michigan bill would give people the right to disconnect after work
Safety+Health Magazine·Jul 21, 2026

Michigan bill would give people the right to disconnect after work

Michigan Senate Bill 948 would prohibit employers from requiring workers to respond to work communications outside of scheduled hours, modernizing labor standards for the state. The bill addresses the growing issue of after-hours digital connectivity demands on workers in all industries.

Workforce
MISUMI Americas releases reshoring report, supports manufacturing training bill
Robotics Business Review·Jul 21, 2026

MISUMI Americas releases reshoring report, supports manufacturing training bill

MISUMI Americas released a report examining the reshoring of U.S. manufacturing operations back to domestic facilities. The company is backing legislation that would enable workers to receive training overseas to support manufacturing skill development.

Workforce
Turning a Construction Career Into a Technology Career
Construction Executive·Jul 21, 2026

Turning a Construction Career Into a Technology Career

Sarah Lawrence and Danielle Lucas have successfully transitioned from construction into technology leadership roles, breaking barriers in two male-dominated industries. Their career pivot demonstrates how construction professionals can leverage their field experience to advance into the tech sector.

Workforce
Friction is key to making better robot world models
Robotics Business Review·Jul 21, 2026

Friction is key to making better robot world models

Robot world models require proper conditioning to work effectively in real-world construction applications, a crucial step often overlooked in development. Friction and other physical factors must be accurately incorporated into these models for robots to operate reliably on job sites.

AI & MLRobotics
Low-cost 3D printed sensors could widen access to diagnostics
3D Printing Industry·Jul 21, 2026

Low-cost 3D printed sensors could widen access to diagnostics

Researchers at the University of Brighton are developing affordable 3D printed medical sensors designed to make diagnostic testing cheaper and more accessible. The technology could have applications in construction safety monitoring and health screening for field workers.

3D PrintingMaterials
Construction Employment Increases In 33 States And D.C. From June 2025 To June 2026; 28 States And D.C. Add Construction Jobs From May To June
AGC of America News·Jul 21, 2026

Construction Employment Increases In 33 States And D.C. From June 2025 To June 2026; 28 States And D.C. Add Construction Jobs From May To June

Construction employment grew in 33 states and Washington D.C. over the 12-month period from June 2025 to June 2026, showing broad strength across the sector. Monthly data from May to June indicates 28 states and D.C. added construction jobs, demonstrating continued hiring momentum.

Workforce
Building robots for unpredictable, infrastructure-free environments
Robotics Business Review·Jul 20, 2026

Building robots for unpredictable, infrastructure-free environments

Successful real-world robotics requires systems built to operate independently without relying on infrastructure support. These robots must be engineered to handle unpredictable and harsh outdoor conditions common in construction environments.

RoboticsAutonomy
New requirements for automatic braking and electronic logging are on DOT’s to-do list
Safety+Health Magazine·Jul 20, 2026

New requirements for automatic braking and electronic logging are on DOT’s to-do list

The Department of Transportation is moving forward with new regulations requiring automatic emergency braking systems on heavy trucks as part of its updated regulatory agenda. The rule aims to improve safety for commercial vehicles operating on U.S. roads.

AutonomySafety
BrainCo demonstrates brain-controlled robot AI platform
Robotics Business Review·Jul 20, 2026

BrainCo demonstrates brain-controlled robot AI platform

BrainCo has demonstrated a brain-controlled robotic arm platform that can perform precision tasks like grasping objects and picking up items through neural signals. The technology represents a potential advancement in how workers could operate construction equipment and machinery through direct brain-computer interfaces.

RoboticsAutonomy
Unmanaged ‘emotional labor’ may lead to worker stress and turnover
Safety+Health Magazine·Jul 20, 2026

Unmanaged ‘emotional labor’ may lead to worker stress and turnover

Unmanaged emotional demands at work increase employee stress and turnover risk, according to research from MissionSquare Research Institute and Kansas State University based on surveys of over 2,000 workers. Construction companies should address workplace emotional labor through better management practices and support systems to retain skilled workers and maintain crew stability.

Workforce
Boston Dynamics to discuss the art behind human-robot interaction
Robotics Business Review·Jul 20, 2026

Boston Dynamics to discuss the art behind human-robot interaction

Boston Dynamics will host a webinar where experts explain the design principles necessary for safe interactions between humans and robots on job sites. The session focuses on practical considerations that construction teams need to understand when integrating robotic equipment into their operations.

RoboticsSafety