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In this issue...
 The Chapter remains committed to you through this unprecedented situation. We will continue to gather and vet any and all information that is deemed necessary to achieve and maintain our goal of keeping construction essential and our workforce safe and healthy.
Keep checking our website for a continuously updated list of resources and materials.
AGC Launches COVID-19 Safety Stand-DownToday Don't Forget to Enter Your Projects in the APEX Awards Uncertainty Highlights Certain Value of AGC and its Members AGC Houston Town Hall Meeting Offers Insight On Pandemic Response AGC Houston COVID-19 Recommended Practices for Construction Jobsites SBA Paycheck Protection Program Eligibility Update U.S. DOL Publishes Emergency Paid Leave Regulations
 AGC is asking construction firms across America to host Safety Stand-Downs on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
April 9: COVID-19 Safety Stand-Down
May 7: Texas Hold 'Em CLC Poker Tournament Details Coming Soon
May 28: Military May Shoot-Out Sponsored By Vets In Construction Details Coming Soon
May 29: APEX Entries Due
Sept. 19: APEX Gala - Save the Date!
Education/Training
May 20: First Aid/CPR/AED Training
May 29: CM-BIM Credentialing Exam
May 29: CM-Lean Credentialing Exam
June 5: Texas Lien Laws
June 5: Advanced Texas Lien Laws The AGC Education and Research Foundation offer a Workforce Development Scholarships to students 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
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 Safety Stand Down Resources (includes tool box talks, job site posters, and more)
Special Signage/Posters Printing
• Triangle Printing & Marketing: Provides signage needs, posters and specializes in large format printing and scanning services for architectural, engineering, and construction. Contact Chuck Winfree at (832) 499-4349 or the office at (713) 780-0236.
• ARC Document Solutions: Commonly-used posters and signs from CDC are available for production. Find your local ARC print center.
View the full list of OSHA courses here. May 5-7: OSHA 2055: Cranes In Construction 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
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 recently launched a COVID-19 webpage that 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.
The Department of Labor has released three animated videos provide quick tips on social distancing, disinfecting workplaces and industry risk factors to keep workers safe from COVID-19.
AGC News
Recently, AGC of America called on Congress to add more funding to and simplify the eligibility requirements for the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs — including the Paycheck Protection Program — so construction firms and their employees can get needed coronavirus relief capital as soon as possible.
AGC urges all members to contact their federal lawmakers to help ensure these critical funds and changes are made to benefit more than 682,000 construction firms and their 5.2M employees.
To see AGC’s letter to Congress, click here.
Click here to tell President Trump and Congress that you, your business and employees want to make these changes, too.
View the Treasury Department's Frequently Asked Questions document.
On April 1, AGC CEO Steve Sandherr requested that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) enact a one-year delay of the implementation of the leases standard for private companies due to the economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus. Read further.
There is so much going on in Washington, D.C., especially in the last two weeks. AGC of America brought together our team of lobbyists who worked hard to review and provide input on the coronavirus relief bill passed by the House last week.
They provided an analysis of what is in the measure and how it could help the construction industry. Watch on YouTube or listen now on SoundCloud.
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
April 6: Champions Golf Tournament POSTPONED April 9 : COVID-19 Safety Stand-Down
Message from the President/CEO
As a kid I remember at some point during the school year saying, “I cannot wait for summer to get here.” And each and every time you could count on my mom to respond, “you’re wishing your life away.”
With all due respect to my 92-year-old mother, “I cannot wait for summer to get here!”
On April 2 At 12:01 a.m., the state of Texas began a thirty-day extension to the Governor of Texas’ earlier announced “COVID- 19 preparedness and mitigation” order, which initially began at 11:59 p.m. on March 20. The “stay at home” order enacted by Harris County, and including the City of Houston, that went into effect on March 24 has been extended through the month of April as well.
Visiting with several of our members and partners over the past days, I am not surprised by their commitment and willingness to get through this in a way that is best for the craftworker, the community and the economy.
News you can Use
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 announced on April 1, 2020 that new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective April 1, 2020. Read the full article.
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.
Understanding Houston: COVID-19’s potential impact in Greater Houston, by the numbers
Morningstar Outlook: Long-term Economic Impact Forecast Many construction materials are sourced from abroad, including countries hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, supply chains for those materials are being disrupted, and shipments are slowing sharply.
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
Texas topped the US last year with more than $54 billion in property activity, according to a report from NAIOP. Nationally, investment in and development of buildings such as office and industrial facilities provided 9.2 million jobs and added $1.14 trillion to the economy.
 AGC Houston Is Proud to Support the 2020 Census to Ensure that People in the Houston Community Are Accurately Counted and Represented. For the first time, in 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online. The process will be quick and secure. You can respond to the census in less time than it takes to finish your morning coffee. You’ll still be able to respond by mail. To learn more about what to expect, visit 2020census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau hiring thousands of people to fill temporary positions. Click here for details. 
Membership Benefits
In these uncertain times, it’s even more important for businesses like yours to stay in business. Our friends at FedEx are here to help. Their planes are still in the air, their trucks are still on the road and their locations are still open to hold your packages. Learn More
Last week, ConsensusDocs announced expanding access to the contractual tools used to help address the contractual risks presented by COVID-19 crisis.
ConsensusDocs has created a COVID-19 Resource Center for construction law and contract issues that provides a comprehensive analysis contract issues, including a sample notice letter, worker restriction orders across the United States, and a sample essential worker certificate. These tools provide an analysis for existing contracts impacts as well as proactive tools for contracts going forward. Read more.
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.
The military branches are requiring troops to make their own cloth face masks and many other private industries and citizens are folowing suit.
While numerous models can be found online, The Centers For Disease Controls has published a guide for DIY cloth face coverings. Additionally, please be advised that some facial hair impedes proper use. CDC has developed an infographic to assist with guidance.
New Trump administration guidance allows firms with 500 or fewer employees to qualify for paycheck protection program loans
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued guidance in response to AGC’s concerns regarding the SBA Paycheck Protection Program eligibility criteria. Read further.
Controlling written agreements will determine which party is responsible for the risk and additional costs of construction delays resulting from the current coronavirus outbreak. "The force majeure clause must be examined to determine if the virus outbreak constitutes an excusable delay extending the completion date and excusing the contractor from liability for any applicable liquidated or actual damages," an attorney writes.
For state-by-state breakdowns of construction closures, click here
Here's Looking at You
 For AGC Houston Employment Practices Committees, It's A Different "Business A Usual" While we all have had to adapt to a new way of doing business - whether it is from home or other remote conditions - it was "business as usual" for members of the Employment Practices Committees who held a virtual meeting on April 2, 2020 to discuss new issues that are affecting their work. Read further.
AGC Houston hosted its first town hall meeting today, which provided an overview of local, state and safety updates on the commercial construction industry. The full recording is available here. |
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