AGC CEO Stephen Sandherr sent a message to every member firm on March 26 urging them to make sure their entire teams are following the guidance set by public health and safety officials to protect their workers from the spread of the coronavirus. Noting that the public was counting on the industry to do its part to block the spread of the coronavirus, he noted that there was no margin for error.  

 

 

We are asking AGC of America members across the country to hold a nationwide coronavirus safety stand down at job sites on Thursday, April 9th. Click here to view a special message from AGC of America CEO Stephen E. Sandherr on why you should participate. If you haven’t already participated in safety stand downs like the one organized earlier by the AGC of California, these stand downs will provide an opportunity for you to make sure that everyone working on your job sites understands, and follows, all relevant safety guidelines provided by public health and safety officials. Please click here for resources to assist you in planning your stand-down event. We are also asking you to let us know if you plan to participate in the stand down, how many workers will be involved, and if you would be willing to allow the media to observe your stand downs. Just fill out this form, click here to let us know what you plan to do.

 

AGC is committed to providing our members with valuable resources and updates during these challenging times. AGC compiled comprehensive resources on a new webpage dedicated to COVID-19 and the construction industry.  You can navigate to topic-specific news and information or browse the latest updates from the website.  AGC will continue to monitor the situation and update the information online accordingly.

On March 30, AGC released the Sample Plan for COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. The purpose of this plan is to outline the steps that every construction employer and employee can take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The plan describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures to be taken on the jobsite, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and what to do if a worker becomes sick. Included in the plan are also a COVID-19 Checklist for Employers and Employees and a COVID-19 toolbox training talk.

 

To access the English version of this document, click here. The Spanish version can be found here.

As part of AGC of America’s support for Construction Safety Week, we have been asking members and chapters to participate in a nationwide safety stand down focusing on Opioid Safety for May 6, right in the middle of Safety Week.  However, given all that is occurring as the nation responds to the coronavirus, we and the organizers of Construction Safety Week have decided that the most appropriate thing to do is postpone this year’s Safety Week, including the May 6 AGC safety stand down, until late summer/early fall. 

 

Stay tuned for more detailed information about this postponement. In the meantime, the Construction Safety Week staff will keep their website updated with pertinent safety information, training materials and best practices that can be used to keep operations safe.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it has postponed the 7th annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, originally scheduled for May 4-8, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be rescheduled this summer. 

 

Falls remain the leading cause of fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry. While the National Stand-Down is postponed, OSHA encourages employers to remain vigilant and to use all available resources, including those at https://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/ to enhance worker safety.

The U.S. Department of Labor has selected Amanda Edens as its new deputy assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Edens formerly served as the director of OSHA’s Directorate of Technical Support & Emergency Management (DTSEM) since 2012.

As many people struggle with stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis, suicide prevention skills are more needed than ever. At the same time, many in the suicide prevention field—from charities to community workshop trainers—are struggling financially. The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention and LivingWorks are here to help. Through May 29 they are offering the 60-90-minute LivingWorks Start online suicide prevention training at no cost to you and your employees. For more information on LivingWorks Start training visit its website.

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!

This guide takes the guesswork out of finding the regulations that keep your workforce safe and compliant. Easily navigate the government’s complex standards and save yourself time while you solve issues before they become problems. The guide provides fall-protection OSHA regulations from:

• Part 1910: General Industry

• Part 1915: Shipyard Employment

• Part 1917: Marine Terminals

• Part 1918: Longshoring

• Part 1926: Construction

• OSHA Letters of Interpretation

For fleet managers of construction/upfit vehicles with staff working in dangerous roadside, off-road or construction site conditions, using the right quality of lighting can be the difference between life and death.