Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Construction
Join AGC Houston as we celebrate Mental Health Awareness month! The construction industry is raising awareness and encouraging open discussion about mental health and substance abuse to reduce suicide in the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has added stress, anxiety and fear to contractors’ already high risk of suicide. We can all agree this is a scary subject, and we need to address the public health crisis in our country. But how do we heal our workforce? Please use the following resources to help you spot warning signs, start the conversation, and provide support to those who need it – which can save lives. It takes construction professionals at all levels working together and with their risk partners to build a culture of caring and prevention. Click HERE for further information and to watch a session on this topic recorded as part of AGC’s 2021 Construction Risk Management Conference.
Senate Passes AGC-Backed Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Bill
On April 29, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed (89-2) the bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (S.914). The act authorizes more than $35 billion for the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) grant programs and revolving loan funds for water and wastewater infrastructure targeting upgrading aging systems, climate change resiliency, implementing new technologies and aiding marginalized communities. Action now moves to the House of Representatives, where AGC will continue to press for robust investment in water infrastructure.
AGC will continue to advocate for robust water infrastructure investment in U.S. House of Representatives and press for enactment of legislation.
AGC Meets with White House on OSHA COVID-19 Standard
On April 30, AGC and its coalition partners met with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to raise concerns about and question the need for a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) 14 months into the pandemic. AGC highlighted the conflicting messages delivered by the administration. On the one hand, the administration continues to highlight the significant decline in case rates, hospitalizations and great progress towards ending the pandemic through vaccination efforts. On the other hand, OSHA remains determined to issue an ETS to address what it calls grave dangers posed to workers, despite construction remaining an OSHA-identified low exposure industry. AGC and its partners also stressed the importance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and OSHA aligning their respective protocols if an ETS is to be issued. Confusion remains among employers and employees alike due to conflicts between the April 27 CDC guidance and OSHA’s January 29 guidance. The CDC guidance allows for different protocols for the vaccinated versus unvaccinated. The OSHA guidance provides that the vaccinated and unvaccinated should be treated the same and follow established mask and social distancing requirements.
Keeping Safety Viral
Now more than ever, as the state begins to slowly re-open for business, it is imperative that we all adhere to the safety protocols that have been put in place. It is equally important that each of you continue spreading that message up and down the supply chain. As has been stated many times, COVID-19 is global, but personal. Each of us need to do our part to KEEP SAFETY VIRAL. For more information, visit our COVID-19 resource page.
Governor Abbott, TDEM, and TMD Launch State Vaccine Call Center To Connect Organizations, Businesses With Mobile Vaccine Teams
Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), and the Texas Military Department (TMD) today announced the launch of the State Mobile Vaccination Team Call Center. Beginning May 7, 2021 at 8 a.m. CT, Texas businesses or civic organizations can call 844-90-TEXAS and select Option 3 to schedule a visit from a state mobile vaccine team to vaccinate employees, visitors or members. To qualify for a visit, a business or civic organization must have 10 or more employees, visitors or members who voluntarily choose to be vaccinated. Homebound Texans are also encouraged to call the hotline and select Option 1 to request a state mobile vaccination team to visit their home.
"Vaccines are the most effective tool in Texas' fight against COVID-19, and we are committed to making COVID-19 vaccines even more widely available to Texans across the state," said Governor Abbott. "The State Vaccine Call Center will help connect businesses and civic organizations with these life-saving shots and ensure that more Texans have an opportunity to get vaccinated. I urge organizations and businesses to call 844-90-TEXAS and schedule a visit from a state mobile vaccine team. Here in Texas, COVID-19 vaccines will always be strongly encouraged and always voluntary."
McCarthy Propels Construction Industry Forward with Integrated Approach to Mental Health Awareness
ST. LOUIS (April 1, 2021) – McCarthy Holdings, Inc., a premier national builder and one of America’s 100 largest employee-owned companies, recently announced a new integrated approach to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health to better meet the needs of employees, the craft workforce and their families.
Designed to create more discussion around mental health awareness, acceptance and treatment options, the initiative establishes collaborative strategies and practices across McCarthy’s safety, human resources and operations teams — all under the umbrella of the firm’s award-winning Build for Life health and wellness program.
As part of the expanded outreach, McCarthy’s integrated team developed new and updated materials, resources and tools to emphasize and support mental health awareness on jobsites and in offices. Materials are available at any time through the company’s intranet and include toolbox talks on mental health, suicide prevention and signage to increase awareness. Helpful information is also available for all employees and families through the McCarthy Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
“As a community builder, McCarthy believes that investing in mental health awareness, acceptance and treatment not only benefits our employee-owners, craft professionals and their families, but also the communities where we live and work,” Wittkop said. “Just like the critical importance of safety on our jobsites, the overall health and well-being of our employees and their families directly impacts our ability to deliver a great experience on our projects and is vital for the long-term success of our company and industry. Elevating the focus on mental health benefits us all.”
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. (and the numbers are increasing)
- Males account for almost 4 out of 5 suicide deaths.
- Construction has 2nd highest rate of suicides among all occupations, 4 times higher than in the general population.
McCarthy is happy to be a resource for you and discuss its focus is on breaking the stigma about mental health to meet the needs of employees, the craft workforce and their families.
Spring Branch ISD is Hiring
SBISD has two open positions for Construction Teachers at Northbrook High School and Spring Woods High School. Access the details here: SBISD Construciton Tech Job Openings
AGC Members Can Earn a 2% Rebate On Every In-store and Online Purchase
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