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In this issue...
In-Person Events Resuming in August Vet-Sponsored Shooting Competition Coming in August OSHA Issues Clarification of Silica Standards Enforcement Construction Supervision Fundamentals Starts Next Week! Water. Rest. Shade. Keeping Workers Safe in the Heat Jobsite Emergency Preparedness Plan Available
Education/Training
Professional Development Classes Taylored to Build Your Career! AGC offers legal, financial, regulatory and national management programs designed for these times. Special Discounts For MEMBERS! Presented by industry professionals in a virtual format via Zoom, take the class in wherever you are! All our courses are presented in a virtual format via Zoom
For a full list of classes, visit the AGC Houston Calendar
JULY
7-30: Construction Supervision Fundamentals - Starts Next Week!
Taught by Zeke Smith, Satterfield and Pontikes Construction, Inc.; John Brock, Tellepsen; Mason Hester, Munsch Hardt Kopft & Harr, PC; and Ed Durham, Anslow Bryant Construction, Ltd.
These classes are taught online using Zoom Meetings and are a joint venture between AGC Houston, AGC of Metro DC and AGC Florida East Coast Chapters.
13-23: BIM Units 1-4 Virtual Option
14-August 13: LEAN Units 1-7 Virtual Option
AUGUST
"I learned legal aspects and risk management issues of running a project. This course has definitely helped me in my overall understanding of leading a team and made a huge impact on my career development."
Past Construction Supervision Fundamentals student
Safety
Check out OSHA's Fall Prevention Resource Page - Dedicated to raise awareness among workers and employers about common fall hazards in construction, and how falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented. View the full list of OSHA courses here. JULY 6-9: OSHA 510: Standards for Construction 6-9: OSHA 511: OSHA Standards for General Industry 13-15: OSHA 502: Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers 14-16: OSHA 2255: Principles of Ergonomics 15-17: OSHA 503: Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers 20-23: OSHA 500: Trainer Course in OSHA Standards for Construction 21-23: OSHA 3115: Fall Protection 28-30: OSHA 2264: Permit-Required Confined Space Entry AUGUST 3-6: OSHA 510: Standards for Construction 3-13: OSHA 511: OSHA Standards for General Industry 10: OSHA 7500: Introduction to Safety and Health Management 19- Sept. 9: OSHA 30-Hour For Construction On June 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a compliance directive designed to ensure uniformity in inspection and enforcement procedures when addressing respirable crystalline silica exposures in general industry, maritime, and construction.
The directive also provides clarity on major topics, such as alternative exposure control methods when a construction employer does not fully and properly implement Table 1, variability in sampling, multi-employer situations, and temporary workers. It provides OSHA compliance safety and health officers with guidance on how to enforce the silica standards’ requirements, including:
Methods of compliance;
Table 1 tasks and specified exposure control methods;
Exposure assessments; Housekeeping; Respiratory protection; Regulated areas; Recordkeeping; Employee information and training; Medical surveillance; and Communication of hazards. AGC News
On July 1, 2020, AGC of America released a report that showed construction spending declined for the third month in a row. A sharp slowdown in private projects more than offset a rise in public work. Construction spending in May totaled $1.36 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, a decline of 2.1% from April and the lowest total since June 2019. Since February, total spending has slumped by 5.9%, the steepest three-month contraction since 2009.
AGC of America launched a nationwide program on May 13, 2020, designed to help expand the diversity of the industry by making job sites more inclusive. Called Culture of CARE (commit, attract, retain and empower), it is designed to help firms create more welcoming workplace environments for staff, particularly those from diverse demographic backgrounds.
In addition to the new program, the association has already released its Business Case for Diversity & Inclusion in the Construction Industry, which provides the economic, safety and productivity rationale for expanding construction diversity.
Visit BuildCulture.org
AGC members across the state responded to a national survey regarding accidents involving a motor vehicle near a jobsite in a highway work zone.
AGC recently provided key members of Congress with its recommendations and white paper, detailing construction employer COVID-19 liability protections and unreasonable workers compensation burdens. Without such legislative action, it will be more difficult for the construction industry to help stem the tide of job losses and build the path to economic recovery.
Events
August 14: CLC Golf Tournament - Details Coming Soon! August 20: Vets in Construction Shootout September 3: Mid-Year Meeting - Details Coming Soon! October 5: AGC Champions Golf Tournament
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020 Boyert Shooting Center, 1200 S. Mason Rd., Katy, Texas 77450
REGISTRATION & SPONSORSHIP DETAILS Hurry, Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities End Aug. 14, 2020!
Limited Teams Available! Great Sponsorship Opportunities! Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Message from the President/CEO
During a recent Staff Zoom meeting our conversation once again turned to another event being pushed back and how and when we should consider moving forward amidst this pandemic. That discussion immediately reminded me of a child playing on the beach — as the water ebbs out to the sea, she runs toward the ocean to jump in, but, the second the tide starts flowing back to the shore she races back to higher ground and begins contemplating her next move.
As a staff, we have been just like that child. As the local economy has begun trying to re-open, we too have been working to once again host in-person events for our members and guests. We move forward with a date chosen, a site selected, and a program developed. And then, we pivot back toward the starting board as a stay-at-home order is extended or a venue is unable to accommodate us.
I am happy to announce that that within the next two months, our Veteran’s Group, our Construction Leadership Council and our Safety Committee plan to hold an annual shoot-out, an annual golf tournament and a long-overdue committee meeting, respectively.
News you can Use
A webinar on trench safety hosted by OSHA and the American Society of Safety Professionals is available free online. Click here to view it.
Two recent immigration decisions highlight the need for Congress to enact permanent immigration reform. First, last week, the Supreme Court ruled that recipients under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) can continue to legally work in the country.
Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $30 million grant program designed to help small businesses that have yet to receive Covid-19 relief.
The Small Business Recovery Fund program, or SBRF, was approved unanimously by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and the Harris County commissioners during the Commissioners Court meeting June 30. The $30 million grant program will be established with federal funding Harris County received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Pandemic lockdowns have been tough on the construction industry but have been especially difficult for minority-owned firms, which already face challenges. "Now we're in a space where there are, one, fewer opportunities, and two, a more desperate and dire need for access to working capital," which has always been more elusive for minority-owned firms, says Kenneth Thomas, co-founder of the Minority & Women Contractors & Developers Association.
Cities in Harris County, Texas, must adhere to the county's flood plain standards to access $2.5 billion in flood-bond money. The policy change is meant to protect the county’s largest-ever investment in flood control infrastructure and create uniformity in building rules, following the principle that cities should not permit development than can worsen flooding for their neighbors.
Membership Benefits
Data DIGest is your source for the latest economic news relevant to the construction industry with commentary and analysis from AGC's Chief Economist, Ken Simonson. It brings you actionable information to stay ahead of the curve on issues such as materials, prices, construction employment, and state-by-state construction trends.
Data DIGest is free to AGC Members - To activate your AGC Member subscription, simply create an AGC of America member profile. Members will be automatically added to Data DIGest.
Subscribe here.
Join the FREE FedEx Advantage® program and the discounts keep coming. AGC members will enjoy savings of up to 78 percent on select services. The program is free to join and no minimum shipping, copy or print requirements to take advantage of this great member benefit. Sign up now or call 1.888.708.4100.  CrisisDriver enables contractors to build project-specific response and crisis communications plans to quickly and successfully manage negative events.
With this tool, you’ll be equipped to properly manage a crisis from beginning to the end while communicating clearly throughout the process.
Available to AGC Houston Members at an exclusive discount. Click here to learn more or schedule a short demo today.
Resources
AGC Houston is committed to providing our members with valuable resources and updates. Through social distancing reminders, the additions of hand-washing stations, workplace hygiene protocols, and the wearing of masks, we are seeing the best in our members. Be sure to check the AGC Houston COVID-19 Resources page frequently.
Employers should have an emergency plan in place that specifies what to do if a worker has signs of heat-related illness, and ensures that medical services are available if needed.
OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Heat page explains what employers can do to keep workers safe and what workers need to know - including factors for heat illness, adapting to working in indoor and outdoor heat, protecting workers, recognizing symptoms, and first aid training.
Hurricanes and the effects of severe thunder storms pose high risks to construction sites, with their incomplete structure, expensive machinery and equipment, flood-prone excavations, and building materials that can quickly become projectiles in high winds. Click here to download the document and to view more safety-related resources from AGC Houston. Here's Looking at You
 Congratulations to our very own Jerry Nevlud, President/CEO of AGC Houston, who received a certificate of distinction from AGC of America to mark his 20-year anniversary with the Chapter. The Award for Service was presented for his contribution to AGC and to the membership. Jerry also received a commemorative pin to mark the milestone. Congratulations, Jerry!
Special thanks to Don Woo, Mission Constructors and to Eddie Escamilla, Karsten Interior Serrvices, for sending us photos of their hardhats sporting our new hardhat sticker: “Keeping Safety Viral”! We're so excited about the response we have had from general contractors and specialty contractors regarding our new sticker, which was mailed to members. These were produced to underscore the need for the industry to remain vigilant as the state reopens for business while the pandemic is still very much part of our lives. If you would like to share these hardhat stickers with employees and construction workers, please contact Tasha Hernandez. |
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