Members' Edge - June 18, 2020

Education/Training

AGC is Your Resource for Professional Development!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621763&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

All our courses are presented in a virtual format via Zoom

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

JUNE - NEXT WEEK!

25: Conceptual Planning, Scheduling and Risk Mitigation -

Taught by Lana Coble, Ed.D, Tellepsen and Kendall Pouland, Tellepsen

25: Jobsite Innovation Forum: Bluebeam Tips And Tricks -

Taught by Kristin (Kat) Trick, ECAD Instructor, Services, Technical Support, Bluebeam Certified Instructor

JULY

7-30: Construction Supervision Fundamentals -

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

12: First Aid/CPR/AED Training

"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

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621764&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621921&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Safety

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621770&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Upcoming Safety Classes

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621772&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Safety Plans Protect Construction Sites During Protests

How contractors can protect jobsites from vandalism

Damage to construction sites during protests highlights a need to create a safety plan that assigns specific duties to each project participant, experts say. Access points should be reduced to a minimum, with some type of barrier running between them, and equipment and materials should be secured or at least kept out of view.

Visit https://www.constructiondive.com/news/how-contractors-can-protect-jobsites-from-vandalism/579528/ to view the full article online.

Court Denies Petition for Temporary OSHA Standard

The Labor Department has lauded the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit's rejection of an AFL-CIO request to force OSHA to issue a temporary mandate that employers protect workers from the coronavirus. The department says the pandemic does not necessitate an emergency rule, citing existing requirements.

The AFL-CIO sued OSHA last month over its refusal to issue a rule making employers take specific steps to protect workers during the COVID-19 pandemic or face fines.

Visit https://www.law360.com/articles/1282136 to view the full article online.

AGC News

AGC Launches Nationwide Campaign to Make Jobsites More Inclusive

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

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621779&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

AGC Construction Impact Model

AGC has partnered with a leading regional economist, Brian Lewandowski of the University of Colorado Boulder, to create the Construction Impact Model. The model is a tool that can be used by members, chapters, policymakers and researchers to understand the economic impact of infrastructure investment by state.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/05/28/house-passes-agc-backed-ppp-loan-improvements-includes-significant-flexibilities to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621778&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

AGC Puts Forth Construction Firm Liability and WC Protections

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621969&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Message from the President/CEO

Professional Development Courses Designed With You in Mind

I am truly excited about the educational course offerings we now can bring you virtually.

Because we are limited to engage in face-to-face contact, remote and virtual communication remain essential. To that end, the professional development and educational courses that were offered in a traditional classroom setting have found their place in a virtual setting.

I encourage each member company to consider enrolling your seasoned and up-and-coming leaders in AGC Houston's professional development programs.

Take a look at the educational programs; each one is designed to support the construction industry professional and provide helpful information and insight from business experts. Taught by seasoned construction industry professionals, the programs remain interactive and dynamic.

Are you ready to continue your path to success? Let AGC show you how to build up your portfolio.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621751&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

Texas Recorded 2,622 New Cases Of COVID-19 on Tuesday

Texas has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, and on Tuesday broke the single-day case record with 2,622 new cases of COVID-19. TheTexas governor blames people under 30 for the state's recent spike in coronavirus cases.
Governor Greg Abbott said the uptick in cases could be a result of people ignoring social distancing rules and going to "bar-type settings." The state is currently in Phase Three of reopening, which means establishments can increase their capacity to 75 percent.

For more information, check out the "Governor's Strike Force To Open Texas " resource page.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621782&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Texas County Restricts Access to Flood-Bond Funding

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.

Visit https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/houston/article/Harris-County-to-cities-Update-building-15280528.php to view the full article online.

Supreme Court Holds that LGBTQ Employees are Protected Under Title VII

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in three cases, holding that Title VII’s protections extend to gay and transgender employees. Justice Gorsuch, a surprise author of the majority decision, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and the Court’s four more liberal members, reasoned: “An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in member of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision, exactly what Title VII forbids.”

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/06/17/supreme-court-holds-lgbtq-employees-are-protected-under-title-vii to view the full article online.

Census Operations Resume in Harris County

As Mayor Tuner recently stated, City can lose $250 million for every 1% of the city’s population that is not counted.

Please keep encouraging your employees, family members and friends to participate in the census.
All responses are confidential, and by law, cannot be shared with federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ICE or even the local police.

Respond today at 2020census.gov so you can be counted, regardless of your place of origin or immigration status. Census forms are available in multiple languages.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621788&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Architects Revamp Workplace Design for Social Distancing

With many touch points and high traffic, entryways and bathrooms present particular challenges in buildings, all over the country, architects are drawing up a list of safety retrofits that could be implemented without changing original building plans. The pandemic is forcing owners, designers and builders to revising designs with a focus that ranges from enhancing the HVAC’s filtration system to swapping leather and wool upholstery for synthetic materials used in healthcare.

Visit https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14690-architects-revamp-workplaces-for-social-distancing?oly_enc_id=6345J0989723C2K to view the full article online.

Funding Secured For I-10 Widening in Baton Rouge

The state is trying to save historic properties from getting bulldozed ahead of construction on the massive I-10 widening project through Baton Rouge.

Drivers can expect extra lanes on I-10 in both directions from the west side to the 10/12 split to improve traffic flow, but the timeline on that project is unclear.

The billion-dollar widening project is in the works and on track as a contractor will be selected in the next few weeks.

Visit https://www.wbrz.com/news/dotd-to-work-around-historic-properties-as-billion-dollar-i-10-widening-project-begins/ to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

AGC's Data Digest Provides Latest Economic Resources for Members

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621773&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Crisis Response Toolkit - AGC Members Save 15% on CrisisDriver

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621774&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Resources

The Heat is On! Keeping Workers Safe

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621766&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621767&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

It's Hurricane Season!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621769&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.

Harris County COVID-19 Threat Level System Unveiled

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo unveiled the new Coronavirus threat system, which is designed to help residents better understand the status of coronavirus in the area.
"This system is designed to break through the noise and help residents understand what the threat is and what action they should take," the county judge said.

Level two signifies a significant and uncontrolled level of Covid-19 in Harris County, meaning that there is ongoing transmission of the virus and that testing and contact tracing capacity is likely sufficient to meet demand. Visit ReadyHarris.org for the most upt-to-date information

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=621847&issueID=69073 to view the full article online.