In This Issue:
  • TODAY is Primary Election Day!
  • IMPORTANT UPDATE: New Reporting & Recordkeeping Obligations for NY Prevailing Wage Contractors
  • Scaffold Law Moratorium Case Letter
  • IDA Emergency Loan Program Bill
  • Further OSHA Reopening Guidance
  • Construction Input Prices Rise in May  
  • Electrical Code Change
  • Empire Chapter Resources
TODAY is Primary Election Day!
Today is your primary election day. On March 28, Gov. Andrew Cuomo postponed the Democratic presidential primary from April 28 to June 23, the same day as the congressional and state legislative primaries, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Make sure to vote so the voice of the merit shop is heard and represented.
For more on the primary election, including all election COVID-19 details and voter information, visit the New York State Board of Elections website.

With the November elections fast approaching, ABC encourages you to make use of  ABC Votes 2020, the one-stop shop for all voter questions, information and ABC priority issues in 2020.
Exercise your right to vote, support free enterprise in New York and stay safe! The merit shop is counting on you. 
IMPORTANT UPDATE: New Reporting & Recordkeeping Obligations for NY Prevailing Wage Contractors
The new prevailing wage reporting requirements for New York becomes effective today, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. 

The revised Notice of Pay Rate and Payday can be found here.

The front page of the form requires you to identify prevailing wage job classifications in which the employee will work. The form also provides employees with information about overtime rates that may apply, including work weeks in which both private and prevailing wage work is performed. The back page is where you will have to know the supplement benefit rate(s) applicable to an employee’s prevailing wage work and, more importantly, the details of annualization.

Probably more important than this new form is the new requirement to provide annualization details with each paycheck.

This information was provided by ABC Member, Russell McEwan of Littler Mendelson.
Scaffold Law Moratorium Case Letter
The Scaffold Law, imposing "absolute liability" on all gravity related accidents has been the bane of New York contractors for years. ABC joined our associate partners to fight for a 12-month moratorium on the Scaffold Law’s application of “absolute liability".

We made it easy for you to join the fight, below please find the letter that was sent to Governor Cuomo. After review, please click here to send in a voter voice letter to the Governor urging him to take this action and issue this moratorium.
IDA Emergency Loan Program Bill
On June 17, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will allow for IDAs to create an emergency relief loan program and provide grants to small businesses for the purchase of PPE.

Highlights of the bill include:
  • Provides temporary authority to IDAs to issue grants and loans.
  • Eligible entities include businesses and 501(c)(3) organizations with less than 50 employees. 
  • Loan amounts would be capped at $25,000.
  • Grants of up to $10,000 can be awarded solely for the purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Loans and grants can be provided during the emergency declaration and the program sunsets no later than December 31, 2021.

For full language,  click here . 

If you have any questions please contact Tanner Schmidt at Tschmidt@abcnys.org.
Further OSHA Reopening Guidance
As part of their reopening plans, OSHA recommends employers provide workers with “refreshers” on safety and health training and address maintenance issues they may have deferred during a shutdown. Employers should also revisit and update standard operating procedures and remember that exposures to hazards may increase during shutdown and start-up periods. It is important for employers to review and address process safety issues – including stagnant or expired chemicals – as part of their reopening effort. Employers also should remember that Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. 660(c), prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for raising concerns about safety and health conditions.

OSHA is providing coronavirus-related guidance to help employers develop policies and procedures that address the following issues:

·        Workplace flexibilities ;
·        Social distancing practices ;
·        Anti-retaliation practices .
 
OSHA’s guidance for employers also includes frequently asked questions related to coronavirus in the workplace such as worksite testing, temperature checks and health screenings, and the need for personal protective equipment.
This guidance is intended to accompany the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ previously developed Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 and the White House Guidelines for Opening up America Again . Existing OSHA standards that apply to protecting workers from infection remain in place as employers and workers return to work.

Visit OSHA’s coronavirus webpage  frequently for updates. For further information about the coronavirus, please visit the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit  www.osha.gov .
Construction Input Prices Rise in May   
Construction input prices rose 0.8% in May compared to the previous month, according to a recent ABC analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices rose by 0.8% for the month as well. 
Electrical Code Change
Did you know that all cable ties used for supporting and securing all conductors, cables, and raceways must be labeled and listed for the purpose now? This will be a highly enforced CODE Change for the 2017 NEC.

Discover this and over 60 other important Code Changes!

Any new Building Permit issued on or after May 12, 2020 must follow the requirements set forth in the 2017 National Electrical Code. ABC’s Statewide Director of Safety, Jason Ashlaw, who is a Master Electrician for over 20 years and an Instructor, is available to conduct NFPA 2017 Code update training for your Company. This Update training is a 2 hour session and we can customize this training through ZOOM. All of these Electrical Code changes are going to be enforced in New York State.

ABC Member Cost: $200 per company (up to 20 participants)
ABC Empire Chapter Resources