AGC Constructor - March 2020

Top News

Take this Brief Survey to help AGC Track the Impact of the Coronavirus

As part of our broader efforts to track the impacts of the coronavirus on the construction industry and work with federal officials as they craft response measures, AGC of America has created the following very brief survey that we are asking members to complete by noon eastern on Thursday, March 19th. We intend to send this survey out on a weekly basis for the duration of the coronavirus crisis so we can track the changing impacts of the virus on the economy, on your businesses and this industry.

Your answers to the survey will allow us to better understand the impacts of the virus on the industry and enable us to better advocate for measures to help the industry weather this storm.

In addition, we will regularly post updates about the coronavirus on AGC’s COVID-19 webpage and we urge you to check back there regularly. We will also send updates as needed electronically, and will hold a free webinar on Friday afternoon (details to come) to share the latest information we have, update everyone on the steps we are taking, and answer – when possible – questions members may have. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have.

Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/agcmembercoronavirussurvey to view the full article online.

OSHA Revises Coronavirus Reporting Requirement after AGC Intervention; Reporting Required in Limited Circumstance Where There Is Evidence Employee Contracted the Virus at Place of Work

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-constructor/pdf/OSHA,_the_Coronavirus_Pandemic_and_Recordkeeping.pdf to view the full article online.

Oroville, California’s Spillways Emergency Recovery Named Best Construction Project of 2019 by AGC of America

Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. wins AGC of America’s Construction Risk Partners Build America Grand Award as well as top prizes for the Environmental Enhancement and Partnering awards

Oroville, Calif.’s Spillways Emergency Recovery was the most significant construction project of 2019, the AGC of America announced recently. As a result, the project’s contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., received the association’s Construction Risk Partners Build America Grand Award, as well as the award for the best environmental enhancement and Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence award.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/03/10/oroville-california%E2%80%99s-spillways-emergency-recovery-named-best-construction-project-0 to view the full article online.

Faith Technologies Named the Nation’s Safest Construction Company in 2019

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!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-constructor/pdf/21st_Annual_CSEA_Award_Winners.pdf to view the full article online.

Iowa State AGC Student Chapter Awarded for Performing Some of the Best Charitable Work in 2019 for Its Fall Break Service Trip

Construction industry’s charitable group, AGC Charities, names group as its AGC in the Community Award Chapter Winner for the Year

Iowa State University AGC student chapter was awarded for performing some of the construction industry’s best charitable work in 2019 for its fall break service trip. As a result, the group was named an AGC in the Community Award Chapter Winner by the charitable arm of the Associated General Contractors of America, AGC Charities, Inc during the association’s annual convention in Las Vegas.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/03/12/iowa-state-agc-student-chapter-awarded-performing-some-best-charitable-work-2019-its to view the full article online.

Autodesk and AGC of America Equip Women in Construction with Properly Fitting Safety Harnesses

Grant program provides more than 300 women with harnesses that are better designed to fit and recruit more women into industry

Autodesk Construction Solutions and AGC of America are awarding grants to 21 construction firms to provide more than 300 fall protection safety harnesses designed for women, the two groups announced recently. The grants are designed to address one of the most significant safety hazards for construction craft professionals and recruit more women into high-paying construction careers. For more information, check out this video featuring some of the grantees.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/03/02/autodesk-and-associated-general-contractors-america-equip-women-construction to view the full article online.

Get Unstuck, Accelerate Project Timelines

During this unprecedented time, you may find yourself searching for cost saving solutions and ways to accelerate project timelines, especially if wet weather is already adding to delays. It's critical now more than ever to learn how to develop effective stabilization solutions that keep your project moving forward.

Learn How

Advocacy

Tell Your U.S. Senators to Oppose Employer-Fronted Paid Leave Mandate

At a time of extreme economic uncertainty among so many small business employers already exposed to cash-flow difficulties, Congress is considering an employer-fronted paid leave mandate that could lead to mass layoffs, employer bankruptcies, and supply chain issues that could delay delivery of medical and emergency response facility projects. AGC recommends that the federal government—not construction employers—is best equipped to administer and front compensation for COVID-19-related illness leave. Taking action is easy. Simply submit a pre-written message to your Senators or customize it with personal information on how this issue impacts you and your company.

Visit https://advocacy.agc.org/employer_fronted_paid_leave_mandate to view the full article online.

Shutting Down Construction Projects Is an Unnecessary Step, Will Harm Economy & Undermine Recovery Efforts, Construction Officials Say

Construction firms are already taking steps to protect employees, most of whom already wear protective equipment, while halting work will undermine efforts to add hospital capacity

The chief executive officer of AGC of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to steps being taken to put in place arbitrary halts to construction activity in certain parts of the country:

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-constructor/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=607699&issueID=72335 to view the full article online.

Construction Economic News

Construction Jobs Increase in 32 States in January from 1 and 12 Months Ago But Data Do Not Reflect Likely Impact of Coronavirus on Industry

Texas and Utah have biggest number and percent of annual job gains, while Louisiana and West Virginia lag; New York and New Hampshire have largest monthly gains, Washington has biggest decreases

Construction employment increased in 32 states in January compared to both December and January 2019, according to an analysis by AGC of America of Labor Department data released recently. Association officials said that the data was collected well before the coronavirus began to impact the economy and that construction employment levels are likely to decline beginning in March as the virus impacts many parts of the economy.

Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2020/03/16/construction-jobs-increase-32-states-january-1-and-12-months-ago-data-do-not-reflect to view the full article online.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Motion and Productivity

AGC’s incoming president intends to engage the membership today for progress tomorrow

Life is a highway, as that Tom Cochrane song goes (can you believe it’s almost 30 years old?). And as work continues in Washington over transportation reauthorization and AGC looks to merge new talent into its convoy of collaborators, incoming president Bob Lanham intends to “ride it all year long” to the benefit of the association.

BY A.D. THOMPSON

Visit https://www.constructormagazine.com/motion-and-productivity/ to view the full article online.

Business Tips

Construction Contractors Must Plan Now to Meet Updated Revenue Recognition Rules

Revenue recognition has always represented a challenge for the construction sector. In May 2014, the FASB in partnership with the International Accounting Standards Board released a much-anticipated update to GAAP standards for this complex area. Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), as the guidance is titled, makes sweeping changes to revenue recognition in accounting and related reporting. As a result, contractors can expect their revenue recognition to vary dramatically in amount and timing from current patterns.

BY RYAN INLOW, CPA
MAULDIN & JENKINS
AN AGC GEORGIA MEMBER

Visit https://www.constructormagazine.com/construction-contractors-must-plan-now-to-meet-updated-revenue-recognition-rules/ to view the full article online.

Two-for-One

New compact scanner provides dual functionality

In the 1950s, Ace Books began publishing Ace Doubles, which were two separate novels combined in a single volume. For example, a reader could read “Secret Agent of Terra” which ends at about the middle of the book. The reader could then close the book; do a head-to-toe flip of the volume; and there would be the cover of the second book, “The Rim of Space.”

BY JEFF WINKE

Visit https://www.constructormagazine.com/two-for-one/ to view the full article online.

Member News

Greensfelder Recognized for Outstanding Support of AGC of Missouri and Construction Industry

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., has been recognized by the Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO) for its outstanding support of the AGCMO and the broader construction industry.

Greensfelder is among this year’s AGCMO AGC 1st Honor winners. The award is presented to AGCMO members that excel in participation in or sponsorship of organization events, as well as thought leadership and serving in leadership roles. Greensfelder will be formally recognized at the AGCMO Annual Convention March 31 in Kansas City, Mo.

AGCMO represents approximately 550 construction and construction-related firms in Missouri that perform building, highway and infrastructure construction. The organization provides a range of local and national services, helping members build their businesses.

For more information about Greensfelder’s Construction industry group, visit https://www.greensfelder.com/industries-Construction.html. Find out more at www.greensfelder.com.

Visit www.greensfelder.com to view the full article online.

Chapter News

One-Stop App Offers Smart Phone Access to NYC Construction Rules and Regs

AGC of New York State, LLC has just developed NYC Fast Facts, a smartphone app that will help keep construction professionals up to date on fast-changing regulatory requirements affecting the city's industry.

SOURCE: Engineering News Record

Visit https://www.enr.com/articles/48711-one-stop-app-offers-smart-phone-access-to-nyc-construction-rules-and-regs to view the full article online.

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Industry Events

Don't Forget to Submit Your Presentation Proposal for AGC’s 2020 Construction HR and Professionals Conference by March 20, 2020

AGC is seeking presentations from industry professionals on a variety of topics. Details, along with a framework for proposal submissions, and other important information is available in the call for presentations. Construction HR & training professionals who are currently working for AGC member-companies are encouraged to submit a proposal. Complimentary registrations will be provided for all selected presenters.

Deadline to submit proposals is March 20, 2020.

Visit https://www.agc.org/call-presentations-submission-form-0?utm_source=informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=informz_email&_zs=BAlnc1&_zl=JPGb6 to view the full article online.

AGC Events

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-constructor/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=607597&issueID=72335 to view the full article online.

Hiring Our Heroes

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-constructor/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=607598&issueID=72335 to view the full article online.