Onboarding a construction crew: I-9, safety and day one

An offer or pay plan with the rate, the classification and the job; Form W-4 and the state withholding form; direct deposit or pay card enrollment; an emergency contact; and the union referral where the job takes one.

The worker completes Section 1 no later than the first day of work. You complete Section 2 within three business days, or by the end of the first day when the job lasts less than three business days. Employers enrolled in E-Verify and in good standing may examine documents remotely under the DHS alternative procedure.

A federal contract with the FAR E-Verify clause requires E-Verify for new hires and for existing employees assigned to the contract.

Federal rules require some construction training to be documented: fall protection training with a written certification record, crane operator certification, and forklift operator evaluation at least every three years. Some states require more on public work: New York requires OSHA-approved construction safety training of at least ten hours for every worker on a public work contract of $250,000 or more.

Drivers who need a commercial driver's license are tested under DOT rules, including a pre-employment test before they first drive. Other testing is set by your own written policy, owner contracts and union agreements.

Confirm registration with the program and the apprentice's current step before the first day. On federal prevailing wage work, an apprentice who is not registered, or is over the ratio, is owed the journeyworker rate. Someone on your team assigns the step; payroll applies the rate.

Report each new hire to the state within 20 days of hire under federal law, or sooner where the state requires.