Members' Edge - May 7, 2020

Education/Training

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615226&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

NEW - All our courses are presented in a virtual format via Zoom!

For a full list of classes, visit the AGC Houston Calendar

MAY

12: Getting Paid: Lien & Bond Claim in Texas, COVID-19 Edition

15: Delay Claims: Force Majeure or Merrely a Pandemic?

27: Texas Sales and Use Taxes for Contractors

JUNE

2: Stormwater Education Program

5: Texas Contract Law

5: Texas Lien Laws

5: Advanced Texas Lien Laws

18: Conceptual Planning, Scheduling and Risk Mitigation

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615102&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

Workforce Scholarship Application Deadline Is June 1!

Please pass this on!

The AGC Education and Research Foundation offer 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.

To review the complete list of criteria click here. Students can apply here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615103&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

Safety

Upcoming Safety Classes

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615107&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

OSHA Offers Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for CoronaVirus

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615108&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

AGC News

Virtual Event May 8 to Showcase New Data on Pandemic's Effect on Construction Industry

On Friday, May 8 at 11 a.m., AGC and Procore will release new data showing the impacts of the coronavirus on the construction industry, including employment levels, demand for construction and hours worked. This virtual media event will be hosted on Facebook Live and we encourage our chapters and members to follow us and tune in.

TUNE IN Facebook Live tomorrow at 11 a.m. CST.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615296&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

OC Delays EEO Data Collections Due To COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will delay the anticipated opening of the 2019 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection and the 2020 EEO-3 and EEO-5 data collections because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 public health emergency, the agency announced today in a Federal Register notice.

The EEO (equal employment opportunity) surveys collect data from employers in different sectors of the workforce. The EEOC was planning to open the following EEO surveys in 2020: the 2019 EEO-1 Component 1 (Employer Information Report); the 2020 EEO-3 (Local Report); and the 2020 EEO-5 (Elementary-Secondary Staff Information Report).

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615346&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

PPP Allowing Construction Firms to Add, Retain Employees Despite Declining Demand

A large share of construction firms promptly received loan funds under the new Paycheck Protection Program, enabling many of them to hire or retain employees despite a surge in project cancellations, according to a survey released today by AGC of America.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/04/24/paycheck-protection-program-allowing-construction-firms-add-and-retain-employees-0?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=informz_email&_zs=Vsnnc1&_zl=FHqk6 to view the full article online.

PPP Packet to Help Contractors Document Market Conditions

AGC has prepared a packet of information to help document current market conditions that helped influence many firms’ decisions to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans. The intent of this packet is to provide a snapshot of media coverage starting on March 27 – the launch of the initial round of Paycheck Protection Program loans – covering topics like declining demand, growing layoffs and general worries about market conditions for the construction industry.

Visit https://www.agc.org/sites/default/files/Files/Communications/Recap_Current_Construction_Business_Conditions_Final.pdf to view the full article online.

Nonresidential Construction Spending Declines in March as Pandemic Halts Projects

Numerous impediments to completing construction projects led to declines in most categories of private construction spending in March, according to an analysis by the AGC of America of government data released on May 5. ssociation officials said that several recent announcements by the Treasury Department are causing significant confusion about, and potentially undermining, the Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/05/01/nonresidential-construction-spending-declines-march-pandemic-halts-projects-group to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615113&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

Take the 6th Edition of AGC of America’s Coronavirus Survey

AGC of America is asking you to participate in this brief survey, even if you participated in our earlier surveys.

Take the Survey.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615230&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

We Need Your Help! Harris County Is Behind In Census Response Rates

Currently, Harris County is behind in census response rates when compared to other major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles County (Los Angeles), Cook County (Chicago), and other Texas metropolitan areas.

To ensure everyone in Harris County is counted in this decennial census, Census staff is supporting Houston in Action’s targeted outreach efforts in ten areas with the lowest response rates.

). In fact, more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed each year to communities across the country based on census data. In addition, census data helps the business community identify new markets/services, where to open a location, etc. To help our region thrive, it is important that everyone participate in the 2020 Census and that you help.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615114&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

Greater Houston Partnership Provides an Update on the Region's Economy

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.

Visit https://www.houston.org/news/bayou-business-download-dual-debacle?_zs=oEbDD1&_zl=H6Kj5 to view the full article online.

AECOM Backlog Climbs to Record $42B

AECOM's $8.6 billion in project awards in the second quarter have pushed a backlog to an unprecedented $42 billion, the contractor says. AECOM also says that eight in 10 construction-management projects are proceeding, despite the coronavirus pandemic, and that owners at most halted projects are continuing to cover general conditions costs.

Revenue in the second quarter was $3.2 billion, up 5% from the same time period last year, the company announced yesterday in its second quarter earnings call.

Visit https://www.constructiondive.com/news/aecom-posts-record-42b-backlog-amid-covid-19-crisis/577465/ to view the full article online.

$4.3B in Construction Loans Affected by Shutdown

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.

Visit https://therealdeal.com/2020/04/08/shutdown-poses-big-risks-for-projects-even-when-it-ends/ to view the full article online.

Pandemic Figures into Growth of Construction Tech

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.

Visit https://www.constructiondive.com/news/as-coronavirus-necessitates-technology-usage-investors-seem-keen-on-contec/575680/ to view the full article online.

Houston Confronts 1-2 Punch of COVID-19, Oil Bust

Mayor Sylvester Turner expects a city budget deficit of about $200 million, the worst in the history of this city of more than 2.3 million, the country's fourth largest.

At the same time, the price of oil plunged below zero in April as demand plummeted due to the worldwide lockdown to stop the virus' spread.

Visit https://www.manufacturing.net/energy/news/21132265/houston-confronts-onetwo-punch-of-covid19-and-oil-bust to view the full article online.

Resources

AGC Houston COVID-19 Recommended Practices for Construction Jobsites

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615104&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

COVID-19 Jobsite Posters, Videos and Other Resources

OSHA 3394 - English: 10 Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus

OSHA 3395 - Spanish: 10 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

English & Spanish

The Department of Labor video quick tips on social distancing, disinfecting workplaces and industry risk factors to keep workers safe from COVID-19.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615105&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615106&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.

How to Ease Workers' Anxieties About Returning to the Jobsite

In order to keep sites running smoothly, contractors must ensure that employees’ anxieties about jobsite cleanliness and social distancing are addressed. Constant worry about exposure to COVID-19, family pressures and the 24-hour news cycle are distractions that can lead to injury.

Visit https://www.constructiondive.com/news/managing-absenteeism-and-uncertainty-on-the-jobsite/577170/ to view the full article online.

Keep Workers Safe. Keep Construction Going

AGC released the latest in its series of Coronavirus safety tips today, focusing on the products that should be used for disinfection. You can find those, and prior weeks’ safety tips HERE. Please make sure you are sharing these safety tips with your teams and encouraging them to hold frequent safety briefings and stand downs with your teams to ensure full compliance with all coronavirus safety procedures. Despite all the talk of re-starting the economy, there is still no margin for error when it comes to protecting workers and the public.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=615305&issueID=69070 to view the full article online.