New Normal

WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED SAFETY TO BE PARAMOUNT, wider public health practices have been introduced and incorporated on job sites, enabling most to return to full operation. The

construction industry has responded to the required workplace health and safety changes. The future of our industry is dependent on keeping workers safe

and healthy to enable work to move forward. We are experiencing a very real increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in New York.

Take careful note of the following items and ensure you read and fully understand the latest CDC Guidelines.

Workers who are not feeling well should NOT show up at any jobsite. Workers who feel sick stay home and follow CDC guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/

coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Please find a few examples below.

-Temperature checks and health questionnaires must be completed before entrance into most buildings.

-Face covering /masks are mandatory for everyone.

-Social distancing should be practiced in site offices /shanties and during trade breaks.

-Regularly use the hand wash/sanitizing stations, especially before eating.

-Freight elevator capacity restrictions must be practiced and adhered to.

-Travel Advisory guidelines are to be carried out to the fullest extent.

Staying on top of the latest health guidelines and quickly adapting to the constant changes is very important. The BTEA is also good source for information

that can be helpful and useful during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They have created an online information Resource Center to provide you with up-to-date information

that can help you navigate and better manage your business. Visit https://www.bteany.com/covid19/ for more information.

Please also note the updated New York State Emergency

Paid Sick Leave law.

-Small businesses with 10 or fewer employees as of January 1, 2020, and that had a net annual income less than $1 million last year must provide your employees

with: Job protection for the duration of the order of quarantine or isolation Your employees can access benefits through your Paid Family Leave and disability benefits policy, for the duration of the order of quarantine or isolation.

-Medium businesses with 11-99 employees as of January 1, 2020, and smaller employers (1-10 employees) that had a net annual income greater than $1 million last year must provide your employees with: Job protection for the duration of the order of quarantine or isolation At least 5 days of paid sick leave Your employees can then access benefits through your Paid Family Leave and disability benefits

policy.

Large businesses with 100 or more employees as of January 1, 2020, must provide your employees with: Job protection for the duration of the order of quarantine or isolation at least 14 days of paid sick leave.

In other news, I would like to congratulate John DeLollis, Executive Director of WC&C, on his new role as Trustee to the North Atlantic States Carpenters

Health Fund and Pension Fund. Thank you John for stepping up and representing WC&C.

On a final note, AWCI is currently under contract to hold AWCI’s Convention & INTEX Expo in April in New Orleans. However, due to travel and safety concerns

they are exploring other options, including possibly moving the event to the fall. If the Convention is moved to the fall, the Industry Leaders Conference scheduled

for late September in Hollywood, CA would be cancelled. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available. Please visit https://www.awci.

org/ for the latest information.

Enjoy the rest of the winter and let’s look forward to a healthy spring. Stay safe, wear a mask, save a life.

—Michael Weber