ABC GREATER TN MEMBER NEWS | APRIL 6, 2020
Dale Carnegie Seminar: Communicating Across Generations
April 8: Register NOW ONLINE
TN Drug Free Workplace Supervisor Training
April 23: ABC Nashville Office
East TN Golf Tournament
June 29: NEW DATE
Fox Den Country Club, Knoxville
Middle TN Golf Tournament
August 3: NEW DATE
The Governor's Club, Brentwood
ABC National Convention
August 17-19, 2020: New Date
Nashville, TN
NEW LINKEDIN GROUP
FOR CHAPTER MEMBERS
Join ABC's new LinkedIn Group to start dialog, ask questions, and share resources with other chapter members.

It's a great way to network while distancing - and beyond!
The information provided to the ABC Construction Backlog Indicator supplies the data for CBI, a valuable national economic metric unique to ABC that reflects the amount of work under contract that will be performed by commercial and industrial construction contractors in the months ahead.
"Can construction continue safely within the guidelines of local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? In some instances, it can’t. Consequently, many contractors have shut down jobsites. But in many cases, it can — and it should. "

Greg Sizemore, ABC VP of Health, Safety, Environment and Workforce Development
We don’t want to find ourselves in a nightmare scenario where America cannot muster trained, professional construction crews to deal with the most pressing emergencies our nation experiences year after year. A virus pandemic does not halt national disasters. 

Not a single decision in the construction industry is made without answering two core questions: Can our workforce continue to perform work safely? And what steps need to be taken to ensure that safety? 

Today, and every day, safety is paramount for Associated Builders and Contractors and its 21,000-plus members. It’s in the very DNA of how we perform. 

OSHA Issues Enforcement Policies on Respiratory Protection

Over the last few days, OSHA has released guidance to employers regarding enforcement of its Respiratory Protection standard, given the shortage of N95 respirators. OSHA released two separate memoranda that need to be read together to fully understand the Agency’s position. 

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance for Respiratory Protection During N95 Shortage Due To Covid-19 Pandemic:
 
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance For Respirators Certified Under Other Countries’ Standards During Covid-19 Pandemic:
 
ABC general counsel, Littler Mendelson P.C., has prepared an analysis of the enforcement policies, read it here . 
ABC Seeking Site Safety Photos
ABC is asking members to take photos of how your team has implemented current industry safety protocols on jobsites. Showing the work you're doing to safeguard your employees during the pandemic is important in maintaining essential status.
Send your photos by email or or share on social media and tag ABC Greater TN.

Email photos to Clayc@abctennessee.com.
ABC Greater Tennessee Updates
Monday, June 29th
Fox Den Country Club
Knoxville, TN
Monday, August 3rd
The Governor's Club
Brentwood, TN
Full information and registrations to come at a later date.
If you have questions, please reach out to Clay or Lyndsie .
FREE DALE CARNEGIE ONLINE COURSE: April 8th
COMMUNICATING ACROSS GENERATIONS This online workshop explores the differences between generations and provides insight into identifying with others. Today’s workforce may comprise as many as four generations working side-by-side, so connecting with each other could present a challenge. Each generation has their unique mindset, work style, and ways of communicating. This being the case, working and communicating across generations has become vitally important to building a cohesive, productive, and successful team.
Wednesday, April 8
9:00 - 11:00 AM CDT
FREE to ABC Members

Presented & Sponsored By:
Dale Carnegie
TN Drug Free Workplace Supervisor Training
Tuesday, April 23 | 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.
ABC Nashville Office
Admission: $35.00

Presented by ABC Member
Meridian Safety
Member News
ABC Member, Level 10 Technology offers secure remote access for ABC members through May 1st, 2020.

There is no cost to any business with 20 or less employees working from home. If you have more than 20 employees, Level 10 is offering set up at the cost of licensing only (no labor), which is minimal.
WEEKLY CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
CARES Act Makes Changes for Health Plans
The CARES Act includes a variety of changes for group health plans and health insurance issuers. Attached is a Compliance Bulletin that provides an overview of the CARES Act and the changes for the health plans. (Click image.)

Employers that sponsor group health plans should become familiar with the CARES Act changes for their plans.

Sam Melamed, CEO, ABC Insurance Trust
Emergency Preparedness Resources from ABC
ABC has assembled Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources to help our chapters and members quickly access state and federal agency websites that have the latest information and guidance. Visit this web-page for resources on:

  • COVID-19 Toolbox Talks (English & Spanish)
  • Project Continuity Planning
  • Project Shut Down Procedures
  • General Safety Response Plans
In response to the overwhelming number of questions about the legal, safety and economic impacts of COVID-19, ABC has created a webinar series for members with industry experts to provide insights and guidance.  

To view upcoming and archived webinars, members can visit THE ABC ACADEMY (login required). The Academy for Construction Ethics, Compliance & Best Practices is restricted to ABC Members in management positions and Chapter Staff. The materials included in the Academy are intended for and limited to members of management. In order to access the materials, the request must come from an ABC Member in a management position.
UPCOMING WEBINARS:
Communicating in the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond: Don't Let 30 Years of Hard Work Get Destroyed in 30 Days
Date: Tuesday, April 7 | Time: 3 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Anthony Huey, Reputation Management LLC
Moderator: Mike Bellaman, ABC National
New Federal Paid Leave, Stimulus Laws, and the Impact of the COVID-19 Virus on the Contruction Workplace
Date: Thursday, April 9 | Time: 3 p.m. EDT
Speaker: Maury Baskin, Littler Mendelson P.C.
Addressing Employee Mental Health During the Pandemic and Beyond
Date: Wednesday, April 15 | Time: 3 p.m. EDT
Speakers: Calvin Beyer, Cobb Strecker Dunphy Zimmerman (CSDZ); Gary Clevenger MS, CSP, RRE, CNA; Kevin Sell, United Group Services; Michelle Walker, SPHR, SSC Underground | Moderator: Greg Sizemore, ABC National
Technology Can Help ABC Contractors as Coronavirus Disrupts the Industry
Date: Thursday, April 16 | Time: 3 p.m. EDT
 Speakers: Matt Abeles, ABC National; Jeff Sample, eSUB; Karl Sorensen, Blue Collar Labs