Submitted by tim
on
by Richard Wobby, EVP, AGC Vermont I know there are new stresses and strains that we’re all going through right now. I know that in normal times, this Sunday we would be gathering with our friends and families sharing a meal and celebrating Easter.
These aren’t normal times, and we’re having to adapt our lifestyles, behaviors, and businesses in ways we’ve never had to before.
I’ll admit, this is hard time. It’s uncertain and scary, and I remain hopeful.
We will get through this.
We will, soon, celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations, and so much more again surrounded by our friends and families.
We will, in the near future, be back to work again, I hope very, very soon.
We will, in the near future, be back building Vermont’s roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, water treatment plants, and more.
I may not know the exact date when all of this will take place, but it will.
For now, here’s what you also need to know.
Your AGC/VT team remains committed to helping you, your company, your family, and your employees through this health crisis.
Here are some of the ways we’re working to help…
1. Creating A Sample Construction Plan for COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response
Already, we have submitted a Sample Construction Plan for COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to Governor Scott’s administration for review.
The Plan was developed by an AGC/VT COVID-19 Response Task Force which included:
· Rachel Fitch, PC Construction Company
· Pete Kelley, DEW
· John Casella, Casella Construction, Inc.
· Travis Kingsbury, Kingsbury Companies LLC; and
· Donald Blake, Donald P. Blake Inc.
This Task Force met continuously for a week and spent dozens of hours developing a comprehensive Plan that goes above and beyond the current OSHA requirements and CDC guidelines for protecting employees (as were understood at the time of writing).
The health and safety of our employees must be the priority when we return to work, and it will.
As new guidelines and requirements are made available, this Plan will be updated. Companies may also amend it for their unique operational needs and exposures.
Every construction project is different. What is feasible and appropriate for any one project depends on its size, location and other unique characteristics.
This plan specifically recognizes three distinct sectors within the construction industry that should be gradually re-commenced in accordance with outlined segments’ relative exposure probability. The three sectors with work examples are generally as follows:
A. Heavy Civil (100% outdoor work) – Excavation, concrete construction, steel erection, paving, etc.
B. Commercial /Residential Exterior (Generally taking place outside of a closed space) – Excavating, concrete construction, masonry, metal erection, wood framing, siding, exterior painting, underground conduit installation, underground heating/cooling piping installation, material processing, etc.
C. Commercial/Residential Interior (Generally taking place within a closed space) – Interior Painting, taping, carpeting, flooring, HVAC, electrical, glazing, finish carpentry, insulating, doors and windows, finishes, furnishings, millwork, etc.
Our Plan calls for Heavy Civil re-opening first, then Commercial/Residential Exterior, and finally Commercial/Residential Interior. This order was established according to employee risk and exposure levels to the coronavirus with Heavy Civil (100% outdoor work) having the least probability of exposure and a lower risk, and Commercial/Residential Interior (Generally taking place within a closed space) having a more moderate risk.
We continue to advocate for re-opening the industry as soon as possible, and as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you would like an ADVANCED copy of this Plan, contact me at [email protected] or at 802-223-2374.
2. Industry-Leading Training Courses CONTINUE
We are currently developing a training program based on the Sample Construction Plan for COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response.
Look for training dates to be announced in the coming days.
To get on the WAIT LIST, please contact Deb at [email protected].
We continue to offer our essential training classes (https://www.agcvt.org/training-schedule) for you and your employees in the wide range of courses that you’ve come to know and expect. All our training courses are offered virtually and remain taught by a live instructor.
If there is a class you want to see added, let us know and we’ll do our best to bring that to you.
3. Bringing You the Latest COVID-19 Updates in Real-Time
We continue to host our live web-based Constructor COVID-19 Response Strategy Sessions (https://www.agcvt.org/c2rs) sessions. You can join in real time and we take questions from the audience. We also post all the broadcasts on our website (FREE and available to the public).
Some sessions have special guests. Last week, Secretary Lindsay Kurrle from the Agency of Commerce joined us to discuss some of the programs available to help employers pay staff and keep the doors open.
On our website, you’ll also find information on state and federal programs, business planning, and safety procedures and protocols for work sites.
We’re United in Rebuilding, Renewing, and Restoring Vermont
While I don’t know when exactly we’ll get the green light to reopen our industry, while I don’t know how long this health crisis will last, I do know that whatever challenges we face, we will overcome them together.
I know that this membership and our industry is filled with strong, resourceful, and resilient leaders.
Our industry has been, it is, and it always will be the backbone of our Vermont communities.
We will continue to build the bridges and roads, the highways and byways, the hospitals and civic centers, the homes and businesses.
Our industry knows better than most about maintaining the health and safety of our employees. We know about fall protection, and we will learn quickly about COVID-19 protections too.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions on how AGC/VT can continue to help you and the construction industry, please contact us.
This Easter weekend, although you may be physically separated from many of your loved ones, we hope you will celebrate and appreciate your blessings (not to get too sentimental). There is a lot for us to be grateful for, and so much for us to continue working hard to preserve and bring back.
No matter what comes next, AGC/VT will be there for you, just as we know you’ll be there for your families, employees, and this extraordinary state we all call home.
Sincerely,
Richard Wobby, EVP
Dave Markowski, Pete Kelley, Ken Pidgeon, Chris Magnan, Jason Sicard, Donnie Blake, Jr.
Executive and Leadership team.