Contract Killers
Government Agencies Award Taxpayer
Dollars to Contractors That Disregard
Worker Health and Safety
March 29, 2012—Taxpayer dollars should only reward companies that safeguard their employees from
dangerous work conditions. Yet throughout the United States, government agencies at the
state, local, and federal levels award contracts for bridge repair, sewer installation, school
renovation, and other construction projects to irresponsible companies that endanger their
employees’ lives. When government agencies fail to properly assess construction
companies’ health and safety performance, the results can be both deadly and expensive. This report highlights cases in which companies with demonstrated health and safety problems go on to win government contracts around the country, often with
disastrous consequences.