Click HERE to find a new AGC COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit that you can share with your staff, trade contractors, subcontractors, and partners. AGC has gathered information on COVID-19 vaccines, their safety and their effectiveness that members can use in their education efforts; created an industry-specific public service message urging the industry to get vaccinated; and provided resources to assist with employer vaccine policies. As we learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine-related policies, including mandates, AGC will update the webpage.

All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. National Suicide Prevention Week is the Monday through Sunday surrounding World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10. It’s a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), construction occupations have the highest rate of suicide, as well as the highest number of suicides across all occupational groups. To combat these statistics, contractors, unions, associations, industry service providers and project owners must work together to STAND UP for suicide prevention. We are excited to share the tools that the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CISAP) have created to help you join us in sharing the STAND UP for Suicide Prevention message.

This short video from the Construction Center of Excellence is one way to get the conversation started about suicide in construction and share resources among your workforce.

AGC is conducting a new survey to document the experience in the 811 safety and damage prevention process of our member contractors that work on heavy water/wastewater, highway heavy, telecom, gas transmission and distribution or energy infrastructure projects. Please take a moment to participate in this important 811 Safety and Utility Damage Prevention Process Survey; it will close on September 10.

 

Construction firms are struggling to find enough qualified workers to hire even as they continue to be impacted by pandemic-induced project delays and supply chain disruptions, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by AGC of America and Autodesk. The survey results underscore how the coronavirus pandemic has created constraints on the demand for work even as it limits the number of workers available to hire.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) announces its annual Respiratory Protection Week. The observance will take place September 7–10, 2021.

 

First launched in 2012 as N95 Day and then expanded to Respiratory Protection Week in 2019, this observance provides NIOSH an opportunity to share research findings and release educational tools to help promote proper respiratory protection practices. This year, NIOSH developed new products to help address frequently asked questions. A specific focus will be placed on educating participants on the role NIOSH and other federal agencies play in protecting workers who rely on respiratory protection.

September 21-23, 2021 | Orlando, FL

The AGC Annual Convention provides contractors of all sizes the opportunity to gain business-critical insights into the issues most affecting their operations. From risk management to safety on the jobsite to the latest in project management solutions, AGC brings together experts from across the industry to share their knowledge and help prepare contractors to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

For details visit http://convention.agc.org.

AGC of America, supported by a Susan Harwood Federal Training Grant, developed the Trenching & Excavation Hazards in Construction Safety Training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from 2015 to 2018, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 103 total trenching and excavation-related deaths, an average of 25 per year over this 4-year period. Also, the OSHA Information System (OIS) Accident Investigation Report shows that between FY 2013 – FY 2017, there were a total of 156 incidents reported in the construction industry. Moreover, between October 2018 and September 2019, there were 1,499 citations and more than $7,000,000 in penalties issued to construction employers for failing to meet their compliance obligations under Subpart P.  AGC of America is pleased to offer this one-day training program based on OSHA standards and best practices to answer the need for quality training within the industry.

Standard Registration Rate: $995

The AGC Safety Management Training Course (SMTC) provides attendees three days of training on the basic skills needed to manage a company safety program in the construction industry. Held just a few times per year at select locations around the country, the SMTC program builds on focus four training and prepares attendees to manage key safety issues on the job site and provides techniques for delivering basic safety training to field personnel. Participants will receive intensive instruction and training that will allow them to return to their firms with readily applicable new skills to positively impact their company’s safety and health program.

December 6 – 8, 2021 | Cincinnati, OH 
Standard Registration Rate: $1195 

 

This unique three–day course provides construction safety and health professionals with the next–level knowledge required to successfully manage a company–wide safety program. 
Moving beyond the basics of Focus Four training, AGC’s Advanced Safety Management Training Program will give participants a more holistic view of safety’s role in project and company success, as well as advanced tactics and best practices for managing all aspects of a corporate safety program.

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

Contractors may have millions of dollars of equipment, tools and materials stored on their jobsites. On this episode, John Wallen of HUB International discusses how to position your firm to best manage the risk of theft. That includes being aware of the coverage details of your insurance policies, taking a multi-layered approach to keeping sites secure and deterring theft, and considering “Internet of Things” (IoT)-based solutions. Also hear tips and best practices on filing a theft report and insurance claim.

As with nearly every profession, there are dangers and hazards with construction. Injuries due to falls and other accidents can happen, not to mention the problems that come with heat stress and overexertion. Health crises like these often result in construction workers having to take time off from the job to seek medical care or to recuperate. But one Dallas construction firm decided to team up with healthcare company to deliver worksite mobile medical services.
BY GAIL ALLYN SHORT

Internet of Things technology, often referred to as IoT, has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. And while IoT has been around for quite some time, its use in the construction industry is just starting to take shape.
BY RAYMOND VOLPATT, PRESIDENT OF VOLPATT CONSTRUCTION