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As part of our broader efforts to track the impacts of the coronavirus on the construction industry and work with federal officials as they craft response measures, AGC of America has created the following very brief survey that we are asking members to complete by noon eastern on Thursday, March 19th.  We intend to send this survey out on a weekly basis for the duration of the coronavirus crisis so we can track the changing impacts of the virus on the economy, on your businesses and this industry.
 
Your answers to the survey will allow us to better understand the impacts of the virus on the industry and enable us to better advocate for measures to help the industry weather this storm. 
 
In addition, we will regularly post updates about the coronavirus on AGC’s COVID-19 webpage and we urge you to check back there regularly.  We will also send updates as needed electronically, and will hold a free webinar on Friday afternoon (details to come) to share the latest information we have, update everyone on the steps we are taking, and answer – when possible – questions members may have. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have.

On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provided guidance requiring the recording and reporting of workplace exposures to COVID-19. That guidance did not take into account: the logistical nightmare employers would face to determine where someone contracted the virus—workplace or elsewhere—just as with a non-recordable occurrence of a worker contracting the common cold or influenza at the workplace; the impact this very broad policy could have on workers’ compensation plans; and the impact on contractors’ safety ratings for insurance and owner requirements. On Thursday, March 12, 2020, AGC of America CEO Stephen Sandherr spoke one-on-one with U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on this issue noting AGC’s deep concerns with and opposition to such broad guidance. Shortly after that call, on Friday March 13, 2020, OSHA issued new guidance. That guidance limits when COVID-19 can be a recordable illness to medically confirmed cases of COVID-19 that fall within a narrowed field of incidents that employers could then presume occurred on the jobsite. It is critical that employers conduct an assessment of the employee’s work duties and environment prior to making a decision to record the case, or not, just as you would with any other type of incident. OSHA makes it clear in their guidance, and their existing recordkeeping regulation, that if there is no evidence that the employee contracted the virus in the workplace, it is not a recordable illness. 

 

Here is a summary of the guidance along with additional information to consider as it relates to OSHA’s requirements for recording and reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. wins AGC of America’s Construction Risk Partners Build America Grand Award as well as top prizes for the Environmental Enhancement and Partnering  awards
 
Oroville, Calif.’s Spillways Emergency Recovery was the most significant construction project of 2019, the AGC of America announced recently. As a result, the project’s contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., received the association’s Construction Risk Partners Build America Grand Award, as well as the award for the best environmental enhancement and Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence award. 
On March 11, 2020, AGC of America and Willis Towers Watson honored 57 construction firms at the Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) luncheon — where camaraderie wins over competition and people over projects. Keeping the spotlight on construction workers coming home safely every night is of utmost importance, and that’s what the CSEA program does. Seventeen firms received third-place honors. In addition, there were 20 second-place winners and 20 first-place award recipients. From the first-place winners, the "best of the best" or grand award winner was selected. The 2020 recipient is Faith Technologies of Menasha, Wis., a national leader in electrical planning and engineering formed in 1972. Licensed across the United States with 20 locations, the company has an uncompromised focus on keeping people safe.
 
The award program is the industry's elite safety excellence awards program for companies of all sizes and occupational divisions. CSEA recognizes those construction companies that excel at safety and health performance, examining each candidate's commitment to safety and occupational health management and risk control. Congratulations to Faith Technologies and all the winners!
Construction industry’s charitable group, AGC Charities, names group as its AGC in the Community Award Chapter Winner for the Year 
 
Iowa State University AGC student chapter was awarded for performing some of the construction industry’s best charitable work in 2019 for its fall break service trip.  As a result, the group was named an AGC in the Community Award Chapter Winner by the charitable arm of the Associated General Contractors of America, AGC Charities, Inc during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas.
Grant program provides more than 300 women with harnesses that are better designed to fit and recruit more women into industry
 
Autodesk Construction Solutions and AGC of America are awarding grants to 21 construction firms to provide more than 300 fall protection safety harnesses designed for women, the two groups announced recently. The grants are designed to address one of the most significant safety hazards for construction craft professionals and recruit more women into high-paying construction careers. For more information, check out this video featuring some of the grantees.
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ClarkDietrich Building Systems
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Tensar International Corporation
During this unprecedented time, you may find yourself searching for cost saving solutions and ways to accelerate project timelines, especially if wet weather is already adding to delays. It's critical now more than ever to learn how to develop effective stabilization solutions that keep your project moving forward.
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Advocacy
At a time of extreme economic uncertainty among so many small business employers already exposed to cash-flow difficulties, Congress is considering an employer-fronted paid leave mandate that could lead to mass layoffs, employer bankruptcies, and supply chain issues that could delay delivery of medical and emergency response facility projects. AGC recommends that the federal government—not construction employers—is best equipped to administer and front compensation for COVID-19-related illness leave. Taking action is easy. Simply submit a pre-written message to your Senators or customize it with personal information on how this issue impacts you and your company.
Construction firms are already taking steps to protect employees, most of whom already wear protective equipment, while halting work will undermine efforts to add hospital capacity
 
The chief executive officer of AGC of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to steps being taken to put in place arbitrary halts to construction activity in certain parts of the country:
Construction Economic News
Texas and Utah have biggest number and percent of annual job gains, while Louisiana and West Virginia lag; New York and New Hampshire have largest monthly gains, Washington has biggest decreases
 
Construction employment increased in 32 states in January compared to both December and January 2019, according to an analysis by AGC of America of Labor Department data released recently. Association officials said that the data was collected well before the coronavirus began to impact the economy and that construction employment levels are likely to decline beginning in March as the virus impacts many parts of the economy.
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Trimble Construction Logistics
2020 has tested the leadership and fortitude of contractors all around the world. With project suspensions, supply-chain interruptions and new safety protocols, the past months have taught us all some new lessons. To learn more about how construction managers have adapted, Trimble assembled a panel of industry leaders to share what they’ve learned.
Open our free e-book for insights on why the construction industry may never be the same.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
  
AGC’s incoming president intends to engage the membership today for progress tomorrow

Life is a highway, as that Tom Cochrane song goes (can you believe it’s almost 30 years old?). And as work continues in Washington over transportation reauthorization and AGC looks to merge new talent into its convoy of collaborators, incoming president Bob Lanham intends to “ride it all year long” to the benefit of the association.
BY A.D. THOMPSON
Autodesk
Business Tips
  
Revenue recognition has always represented a challenge for the construction sector. In May 2014, the FASB in partnership with the International Accounting Standards Board released a much-anticipated update to GAAP standards for this complex area. Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), as the guidance is titled, makes sweeping changes to revenue recognition in accounting and related reporting. As a result, contractors can expect their revenue recognition to vary dramatically in amount and timing from current patterns.
BY RYAN INLOW, CPA
MAULDIN & JENKINS
AN AGC GEORGIA MEMBER
  
New compact scanner provides dual functionality

In the 1950s, Ace Books began publishing Ace Doubles, which were two separate novels combined in a single volume. For example, a reader could read “Secret Agent of Terra” which ends at about the middle of the book. The reader could then close the book; do a head-to-toe flip of the volume; and there would be the cover of the second book, “The Rim of Space.”
BY JEFF WINKE
Sensera Systems
Member News
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., has been recognized by the Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO) for its outstanding support of the AGCMO and the broader construction industry. 
Greensfelder is among this year’s AGCMO AGC 1st Honor winners. The award is presented to AGCMO members that excel in participation in or sponsorship of organization events, as well as thought leadership and serving in leadership roles. Greensfelder will be formally recognized at the AGCMO Annual Convention March 31 in Kansas City, Mo.
 
AGCMO represents approximately 550 construction and construction-related firms in Missouri that perform building, highway and infrastructure construction. The organization provides a range of local and national services, helping members build their businesses. 
 
For more information about Greensfelder’s Construction industry group, visit https://www.greensfelder.com/industries-Construction.html. Find out more at www.greensfelder.com.
Chapter News
AGC of New York State, LLC has just developed NYC Fast Facts, a smartphone app that will help keep construction professionals up to date on fast-changing regulatory requirements affecting the city's industry.
SOURCE: Engineering News Record
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United Rentals
From safety/operator training and equipment management technologies, to custom solutions engineered to meet specialized job requirements, United Rentals offers much more than just the wor'ds largest rental fleet. It takes a lot to get the job done right. We're here to help.
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Industry Events
AGC is seeking presentations from industry professionals on a variety of topics. Details, along with a framework for proposal submissions, and other important information is available in the call for presentations. Construction HR & training professionals who are currently working for AGC member-companies are encouraged to submit a proposal. Complimentary registrations will be provided for all selected presenters.
 
Deadline to submit proposals is March 20, 2020.
  

 

March 24, 2020
WebEd: Commonly Misunderstood Stormwater Permit Provisions
2 to 3 p.m.

June 8-10, 2020
AGC's Federal Contractors Conference
Washington, D.C.

July 14-16, 2020
AGC Construction Safety, Health & Environmental Conference
Louisville, Kentucky

 

For details on any event, please visit the Hiring Our Heroes Calendar.
March events have been postponed.

April 8, 2020
Carlisle Barracks Military Community Hiring Fair
8 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET

April 23, 2020
Boston Hiring Expo with the Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
April 29-30, 2020
San Antonio Career Fair
Check back soon for more information and to register for the event.

April 15-16, 2020
Wichita Falls GROW and Hiring Fair

April 29-30, 2020
AMPLIFY San Antonio
AMPLIFY is an exclusive two-day event that leads a cadre of 45 military spouses through intensive career preparation, professional development, and networking. Applications are required as cadre size is limited.

 
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