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In this issue...
 AGC Houston is committed to providing our members with valuable resources and updates during these challenging times.
We need to do our part to keep everyone safe with a continued focus on COVID-19 best practices for safety.
Keep checking our website for a continuously updated list of resources and materials.
Face Coverings or Masks Required in Public in Harris County AGC Champions Golf Tournament Set for Oct. 5 OSHA Safety Courses Kick-Off in May Enter Your APEX Award-Worthy Construction Projects by May 29 AGC Houston COVID-19 Best Practices and More Greater Houston Partnership Provides an Update on the Region's Economy AGC Announces Damage from the Pandemic to the Economy and Construction Face Coverings or Masks Required in Public in Harris County Businesses play a critical role in protecting the health and safety of employees and limiting the negative impact on the economy and communities. Preparedness is the best way to mitigate the risks posed by a COVID-19 pandemic. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Wednesday that face coverings will be required in public starting next week. The order goes into effect on April 27. It will remain in effect for 30 days. The face coverings will be required for people who are in a public place in close proximity to others. The face covering can be a handkerchief or other material from home. It does not need to be a medical-grade or N95 mask. Under the expected order, the following people are exempt from wearing masks: · people exercising or out for a walk alone · children under 10 years old · people with medical conditions or mental health conditions where the mask might actually inhibit health Click here to access the official order. Check Out More Information From Harris County And COVID-19 Resources The Centers For Disease Controls has published a guide for cloth face coverings.
Education/Training
AGC Houston Will Soon Announce New Webinar Professional Education Classes!
June 5: Texas Lien Laws
June 5: Advanced Texas Lien Laws
The AGC Education and Research Foundation offer a Workforce Development Scholarships to individuals enrolled in accredited technical schools or craft training programs in any discipline of commercial construction.
Interested individuals have until June 1, 2020 to apply for $1,000 scholarships (renewal for up to two years) from the AGC Education and Research Foundation.
Safety
View the full list of OSHA courses here. May 11-13: OSHA 502: Update For Construction Industry Outreach Trainer May 11-14: ATP 191: Safety And Health Authorized Trainer May 11-14: OSHA 510: Standards For Construction May 12-14: OSHA 3015: Excavation, Trenching And Soil Mechanics May 13-15: OSHA 503: Update For General Industry Outreach Trainer May 18-21: OSHA 2015: Hazardous Materials May 18-21: OSHA 511: OSHA Standards For General Industry May 26-29: OSHA 500: Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” to help companies respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace. The guidance was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
In addition to the guidance, OSHA's COVID-19 webpage provides infection prevention information specifically for workers and employers, and is actively reviewing and responding to any complaints regarding workplace protection from novel coronavirus, as well as conducting outreach activities.
For further information about Coronavirus, please visit the HHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
AGC News
AGC of America Releases New Survey Results And Call for More Small Business Relief Aid
Construction employment declined in 20 states and D.C. in March, aligning with the results of a recent survey by AGC ofAmerica that found growing layoffs amid new project cancellations and state funding constraints.
“While construction employment declined in many parts of the country last month, far more states, local governments and project owners have halted construction in the five weeks since the government collected this data,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist.
Evidence is mounting rapidly as to the damage from the pandemic to the economy and construction. “Economic activity contracted sharply and abruptly across all regions in the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Federal Reserve reported on Wednesday in the latest “Beige Book,” a summary of informal surveys of businesses in the 12 Fed districts from late February to April 5.
AGC of America Chief Economist Ken Simonson released new findings in his monthly DataDigest Report.
AGC TBB's convention will be taking place June 15 through June 17, 2020, at the Beauport Hotel in Gloucester, MA. Click here for more details. Conference registration ends May 29, 2020.The last day to book hotel rooms is May 10, 2020.
Registration includes a Monday evening reception, Tuesday and Wednesday sessions and luncheons, and Wednesday night dinner.
Events
RESCHEDULED! An AGC Houston Tradition For 20 Years! Monday, Oct. 6, 2020 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Swing Into Golf Season On A Fazio-Designed Course and enjoy Champions Golf Club's famous mouth-watering dinner buffet!
News you can Use
Let's continue to do our part to make sure #HoustonCounts. In this episode of the Greater Houston Partnership's Bayou Business Download, we get an update on the impact of COVID-19 on our region and examine the worsening fallout from the oil market. Partnership Senior Vice President of Research Patrick Jankowski gives us his latest analysis on jobs, industry sectors and what's in store for Houston.
More than a quarter of construction firms responding to an online survey conducted by AGC America last week reported they had furloughed or terminated jobsite workers because of the coronavirus pandemic. The finding contrasts starkly with the association’s analysis of government data released that showed a majority of the nation’s metro areas added construction jobs through February. Read more.
Construction shutdowns across the US due to the coronavirus pandemic could affect more than $4.3 billion in loans, according to data from Built. "What we have is the convergence of a hard market and confusion of how much new work we will have when we turn the spigot back on," said Joe Charczenko of insurance and surety brokerage Construction Risk Partners.
Investment in construction technology has been soaring in recent years, but the coronavirus pandemic is acting as a litmus test for continued interest. Despite slow construction growth, demand for tech is picking up as managers seek ways to keep tabs on projects remotely.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently added a number of new “Questions and Answers” to provide information to employers about meeting their requirements to offer emergency paid sick leave and paid family medical leave offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus. Information related to tax relief and filing deadlines are postponed for most returns. Visit: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
Membership Benefits
AGC's Membership Discount Program's provide members access to high-quality services, cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line products. From discounts on vehicles to office supplies to cloud-based construction management solutions, AGC has partnered with some of the best to give you the most for your money and improve your daily business operations. Check Out All The Details Resources
AGC Houston recently compiled a recommended practices document for jobsites in English and in Spanish. As we continue to monitor the situation, it will update it as needed. Be sure to check the AGC Houston COVID-19 Resources page frequently.
What best practices are working for you? Let us know! Please send your commentsand photos to catherine.b@agchouston.org.
OSHA 3394 - English: Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus
OSHA 3395 - Spanish: Diez Medidas que Todos los Lugares de Trabajo Pueden Tomar para Prevenir la Exposición al Coronavirus
AGC of America's National COVID-19 Safety Stand Down Resources (includes tool box talks, job site posters, and more.)
COVID-19 Recommended Practices for Construction Jobsite
The Department of Labor video quick tips on social distancing, disinfecting workplaces and industry risk factors to keep workers safe from COVID-19.
AGC of America released a new website, workingsafe.agc.org, which highlights many of the steps firms are taking to protect workers and includes photos of different examples of these practices. |
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