First, our thoughts and well wishes go out to all of our friends, colleagues, and everyone we work with in the construction management industry. Since its inception in 1982, CMAA has been dedicated to assisting our members, and the entire construction management community, realize project, program, and professional success.
We understand the unique concerns and challenges you are facing. In this time of great uncertainty, we want you to know that CMAA stands with you as you navigate the challenges of providing construction management services, while possibly working remotely or practicing social distancing.
In these truly unprecedented times, CMAA stands ready to assist the entire construction management community.
CMAA On-Demand Webinars
Managing Construction During and After COVID-19
Disaster Recovery and FEMA Assistance Overview for Public Owners
Moving Past Reacting to COVID-19, Planning for the New Norm
Strategic Approach to Project Restarts with Construction Readiness Assessment
Maintaining the New Normal: Worksite Solutions in the Time of COVID-19
Construction Disputes: Preparing to Resolve Claims and Resume Work after COVID-19
Construction Solutions in Troubled Times: A Lawyer’s Perspective
Complying with Employment Laws during COVID-19
Adapting Business Development to the COVID Climate
Industry Resources
2022
February 1 - Omicron Stresses Already Understaffed Jobsites as Workers Call In Sick (Construction Dive) - Construction, already suffering from a labor shortage, is getting hammered by staffing issues brought on by the highly contagious COVID-19 variant.
January 26 - OSHA Pulls Temporary Vaccine Rule, Says Permanent Mandate is in the Works (Construction Dive) - The U.S. Department of Labor will withdraw its emergency temporary standard requiring COVID-19 vaccination or testing for workers at large employers but continue to pursue a permanent standard to that effect, according to a Federal Register notice scheduled to publish Wednesday.
January 3 - Survey Reveals COVID-19’s Impact on AEC Firms (The Construction Specifier) - National consulting group Appleseed Strategy unveiled the results of a U.S. business survey of AEC firms to understand the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
December 14 - Study: 75% of Unvaccinated Workers Say Mandates Might Make Them Quit (Construction Dive) - A majority of employees are in favor of vaccine mandates at their jobs to stave off the spread of COVID-19, but differing views between inoculated and unvaccinated workers are causing tension in the workplace, according to a new report.
December 7 - NYC Expands Vaccine Requirement to All Private-Sector Workers (Construction Dive) - Private-sector workers in New York City will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, per a new mandate announced Monday by Mayor Bill de Blasio.
November 29 - Biden Says Omicron Variant Concerning but Not ‘Cause for Panic’; CDC Urges All Adults to Get Boosters (The Washington Post) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention significantly expanded its recommendations for booster shots, saying that all adults 18 and older should get them, as President Biden called the omicron coronavirus variant a “cause for concern” but “not a cause for panic.”
November 12 - Federal Appeals Court Keeps on Hold Biden's COVID-19 Vaccine-or-Testing Rule for Large Companies (USA Today) - A federal appeals court called a Biden administration rule requiring large companies to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees "staggeringly overbroad" and ordered that its implementation remain blocked in a divisive case likely bound for the Supreme Court.
November 4 - U.S. Department of Labor Issues Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Workers From Coronavirus (Construction Business Owner) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced a new emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. Under this standard, covered employers must develop, implement, and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, unless they adopt a policy requiring employees to choose to either be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work.
September 27 - Federal Contractors, Subs to be Vaccinated by Dec. 8 (Construction Dive) - Federal contractors must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Dec. 8, the Biden administration said recently. The new guidance details how agencies and federal contractors should comply with the executive order. The protocols will apply to all covered contractor employees, including "contractor or subcontractor employees in covered contractor workplaces who are not working on a federal government contract or contract-like instrument."
September 20 - Contractors React to Upcoming Federal Vaccine Mandates (Construction Dive) - Since President Joe Biden issued plans to mandate vaccines in some workplaces earlier this month, a number of construction companies are encouraging their employees to get vaccinated and are trying to figure out what the new rules mean for their workplace.
September 9 - Feds to Require that Large Employers Mandate Coronavirus Vaccine (Construction Dive) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is developing a rule implementing a new temporary emergency standard requiring all employers with more than 100 employees to ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or require any unvaccinated workers to have a negative test result weekly before coming into work, according to a White House statement.
September 9 - Is Construction at High Risk for COVID-19? It Depends on How You Look At It. (Construction Dive) - Are U.S. construction workers at a high risk for contracting COVID-19 on the job? It depends on who you ask, where you look, and the type of data that is (or is not) available. There have been persistent contradictions between states' COVID-19 metrics and the experiences reported by contractors on jobsites.
August 25 - Ramped-up Testing Helps Contractors Fight Delta Variant (Contruction Dive) - With the rise of COVID-19 outbreaks in due to the highly contagious delta variant, contractors have been advising a three-pronged approach of masks, social distancing, and stepped-up testing. But unlike early in the pandemic, contractors interviewed for this article noted that the widespread availability of testing and the quick turnaround times for results have drastically increased their effectiveness to prevent spread on jobsites.
August 20 - OSHA Recommends Masks, Even for Vaccinated Workers (Construction Business Owner) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued updated guidance to help employers protect workers from the coronavirus. The updated guidance reflects developments in science and data, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) updated COVID-19 guidance issued July 27, 2021.
August 16 - Construction Pros Worry About Delta Surge, Lack of Vaccines (Construction Dive) - Since the COVID-19 vaccine became widely available in April, the number of construction pros who have gotten the shots has increased by 33%, according to a Construction Dive survey of nearly 300 readers.
July 2 - Survey: Many Workers Want to Keep Masking Policies, Even for Vaccinated Employees (Construction Dive) - Nearly six in 10 adults (57%) said they believe employees should still be required to wear a mask when working on site, even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, according to the results of an American Staffing Association survey.
June 24 - 'It's Complicated': Vaccine Hesitancy Continues Among Contractors (Construction Dive) - Although they were among some of the first groups to qualify for COVID-19 vaccinations in most states, construction workers have been notoriously hesitant to roll up their sleeves and get the shots. Now, as the percentage of Americans yet to receive a first dose remains in the mid 40s, construction companies have their work cut out for them.
June 17 - COVID-19 Has Slowed Payments for GCs and Subs (Construction Dive) - Just one construction business in 10 always gets paid in full, a 75% drop from before the pandemic, according to the 2021 Construction Cash Flow & Payment Report. Payment delays have also worsened: Just 9% of companies always get paid on time, a decline of 60% from last year.
June 2 - COVID-19 Cost NYC Construction Industry $9.8 Billion (Construction Dive) - The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in $9.8 billion in lost construction activity and 74,000 direct and indirect lost jobs in New York City, according to a report by the Building Trades Employers’ Association. The decline in jobs contributed to a $5.5 billion loss in total wages, the report said.
June 1 - EEOC Greenlights Coronavirus Vaccine Requirements, Incentives — with Some Limits (Construction Dive) - Federal equal employment opportunity laws do not prohibit policies requiring that all employees who physically enter a workplace receive a COVID-19 vaccination, so long as such policies comply with the reasonable accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act as well as other applicable laws.
May 26 - Coronavirus in the U.S. Latest Map and Case Count (The New York Times) - Check here for regularly updated charts, tables, and maps with information on new reported cases, vaccinations, the state of the virus, hot spots across the country, state trends, U.S. trends, county trends, outbreak clusters, and much more.
May 24 - 22 States to End Federal COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits (Construction Dive) - Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte will end the state's participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs by the end of June, making it one of the first states to fully opt out, according to a press release issued by the governor's office. Between June 12 and July 10, a total of 22 states plan to terminate all benefits other than what they typically provide.
May 18 - Contractors Weigh New OSHA Guidance on Adverse Vaccine Reactions (Construction Dive) - Construction employer groups said the agency's latest COVID-19 vaccine guidance could cause confusion among contractors as to their recording responsibilities.
May 13 - PPP Loan Forgiveness Not a Sure Thing (Construction Dive) - Since the Paycheck Protection Program launched last spring, it has disbursed $780 billion, including more than $12 billion to U.S. contractors. Now, as the second iteration of the program winds down, borrowers are wondering how to achieve forgiveness.
May 11 - See Reopening Plans and Mask Mandates for All 50 States (The New York Times) - All across the country, mask mandates are easing, restrictions are lifting and many states have gone back to business as usual. It appears much of the country will be open with few restrictions in the coming months.
May 5 - U.S. COVID Cases Could See ‘Sharp Decline’ by July, CDC Says - (Bloomberg) - U.S. Covid-19 cases could see a sharp decline by July if nationwide vaccination efforts continue to be successful, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
May 5 - Construction Workers Most Hesitant to Get Vaccinated (Construction Dive) - COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy varies widely by occupation, and construction workers are the most hesitant to get vaccinated, according to a study from researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.
April 26 - Amid COVID-19 Surge, Michigan Extends Emergency Rules (Construction Dive) - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases spiked substantially in Michigan this month, causing the state's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to extend its emergency temporary standard to Oct. 14, 2021 — one year to the day since it was issued.
April 21 - Contractors Consider Reopening Offices, Vaccine Mandates (Construction Dive) - The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes in the way contractors do business. They have reevaluated and introduced new safety protocols, reorganized work schedules to accommodate social distancing and sent many administrative employees home to do their jobs.
April 7 - 46% of Unvaccinated Contractors Plan to Stay That Way (Construction Dive) - As the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines continues across the country, some states and other jurisdictions are making them available to specific groups of essential workers, including construction. But just because they are eligible does not mean that all construction pros are stepping up for a shot. In fact, 46% of readers responding to a Construction Dive survey who have not yet gotten the vaccine said they have no plans to.
March 31 - Industry Experts on Lessons Learned During the Pandemic (Construction Business Owner) - If there is one thing I have learned over the past year, it is that effective business continuity relies on leadership to provide clear communication and transparency. As Walt Disney appropriately said, “Leadership means that a group, large or small, is willing to entrust authority to a person who has shown judgment, wisdom, personal appeal, and proven competence.” This wisdom resonates with us now more than ever.
March 15 - 5 Charts that Summarize a Year of COVID-19 in Construction (Construction Dive) - Contractors have dealt with unprecedented volatility during the past 12 months. Here's a look at some of the top data points.
March 8 - Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - This is the first set of public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people. This guidance will be updated and expanded based on the level of community spread of SARS-CoV-2, the proportion of the population that is fully vaccinated, and the rapidly evolving science on COVID-19 vaccines.
March 1 - Contractors Consider COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives for Hesitant Workers (Construction Dive) - Construction workers are among the least likely of essential workers to get the COVID-19 vaccination, according to a recent study. This means construction employers might have their work cut for them if they plan on either mandating or trying to persuade employees to get the shot.
February 16 - Construction Firms Nab $13.7 Billion Total in PPP Loans So Far This Year (Construction Dive) - Construction firms received $13.7 billion in loans under the latest version of the Paycheck Protection Program, making the industry second in total loan amounts received after restaurants and hotels, which got $18 billion in funds so far.
February 9 - Construction Workers Among Least Likely to Seek Vaccine, Report Says (Construction Dive) - Construction workers are among the least likely employees to say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if one were offered to them, underlining the challenges contractors will face getting their workforces inoculated.
January 26 - Construction Covid-19 Safety Checklist for Employers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its checklist for construction employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has asked contractors to consider the mental health and wellbeing of their workers.
January 20 - Revised Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Form Released (BKD CPAs & Advisors) - Late in the evening on January 19, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) posted the simplified Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness form that was mandated by the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA). The form was released as a revision to the existing Form 3508S and is titled “PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Form 3508S Revised January 19, 2021.”
January 15 - Giving it Our Best Shot – Statewide Vaccination Plans (Littler) - Vaccine approval and administration are the next steps in the fight against COVID-19. As with nearly everything about this pandemic, guidance and action plans vary by jurisdiction, and are constantly evolving. To that end, this chart provides links to state agency websites, vaccine allocation plans, and other guidance related to the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as basic vaccination plan phases.
January 12 - California Enacts Strict New COVID-19 Notification Law (Construction Dive) - A new California law that went into effect Jan. 1 allows state regulators to shut down jobsites that expose workers to an imminent hazard of COVID-19 infection, while eliminating a previously required 15-day rebuttal period for contractors to respond to any alleged “serious violations” related to COVID-19.
January 7 - What's in the New COVID-19 Relief Package for Contractors? (Construction Dive) - The term “construction” appears 636 times in the $908 billion pandemic relief package and $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump at the end of December.
January 5 - Contractors to Benefit from Latest Round of PPP Funding (Construction Dive) - Legislation approving additional and new Paycheck Protection Program loans will provide much-needed relief to many construction firms, says an industry expert.
2020
December 28 - Congress Extends FFCRA Tax Credit into 2021, Declines to Extend FFCRA Leave (Proskauer) - Despite that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) leave provisions were not extended into 2021, the relief package extends the FFCRA tax credit, which reimburses employers for the cost of providing FFCRA leave, through March 31, 2021.
December 21 - CDC Recommends Construction Workers Get Coronavirus Vaccine After Grocery Workers, Older Americans (Construction Dive) - Construction workers should receive the coronavirus vaccine after other frontline essential workers and people age 75 and older, according to recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
December 21 - COVID-19 Sick Leave: What Employers Need to Know (Construction Dive) - The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges for the vast majority of employers, including those in the construction industry. Among the financial impacts to businesses have been the institution of pandemic pay requirements at the federal, state and local levels. Here is a breakdown of the types of paid coronavirus-related sick leave.
December 10 - Contractors Can Require COVID-19 Vaccinations for Jobsite Workers (Construction Dive) - Lawyers say there are several steps that firms can take to encourage their employees to get vaccinated.
December 10 - Less Availability of Building Materials Emerges as a Significant Pandemic Challenge for Contractors (Construction Business Owner) - More contractors are facing a shortage of building materials as the pandemic continues, according to new fourth quarter data from the United States Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index.
December 4 - Amid COVID-19 Challenges, Construction Has Performed Better Than Most Industries (Construction Dive) - While construction has struggled through a year of unprecedented challenges, it has also proven to be one of the country’s most resilient industries in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
November 30 - Contractors Brace for More Lockdowns as Coronavirus Cases Spike Nationwide (Construction Dive) - Construction pros are doing what they can now to prepare for potential slowdowns or halts to construction work.
November 22 - California Emergency COVID-19 Rules Again Prompt Confusion (ENR) - With case numbers rising, emergency, temporary new COVID-19 safety standards are set to go into effect by Nov. 30 for California workplaces.
November 19 - Construction's COVID-19 Record Might Be Worse Than You Think (Construction Dive) - Conventional wisdom suggests construction has done relatively well combating the spread of COVID-19 on U.S. jobsites. While there have been outbreaks at high-profile projects ... the industry as a whole hasn’t drawn attention for the debilitating scourges that have made news in healthcare, nursing homes and the meatpacking industry.
November 17 - Michigan, Oregon Ramp Up COVID-19 Safety Plans (Construction Dive) - Michigan was the second state to implement emergency rules in response to the pandemic, preceded by Virginia. Earlier this month, Oregon became the third state to provide emergency guidance when its OSHA updated its temporary rule addressing COVID-19 workplace risks.
November 12 - What Construction Workers Need to Know about COVID-19 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - As a construction worker, how can you protect myself and slow the spread? Potential sources of exposure include having close contact with a coworker or member of the public who is ill with COVID-19 and touching your nose, mouth, or eyes after touching surfaces contaminated with the virus or handling items that others infected with COVID-19 have touched.
November 10 - How RCC Associates Is Managing Risks to Employees & Projects During COVID-19 (Construction Business Owner) - This year alone, the industry has seen major areas of risk skyrocket, not only on construction jobsites, but also in our everyday lives. With the undeniable need to keep working amid challenging and, at times, complicated COVID-19 regulations and protocols, managing the safety of employees has become a massive undertaking for leadership everywhere. And those leaders taking on the task can say a lot about the culture and priorities in a company.
November 6 - Construction During Coronavirus (CMAA MCX - written by Sudersan Vassen, CCM, Volmar Construction, Inc.) - In a world grappling with the economic fallout from COVID-19, countries will be compelled to revisit their erstwhile infrastructure growth story. For starters, the effects of stringent lockdown measures enforced across the world are stealthily becoming evident.
October 21 - COVID-19 & Construction: The Ongoing Effects of the Pandemic on Business (Construction Business Owner) - Insights from Dodge Data & Analytics on the impact of coronavirus currently & what's expected in the future.
September 17 - What to Do When an Employee is Afraid to Return to the Jobsite Due to COVID-19 (Construction Dive) - Contractors across the country are dealing with labor issues related to the coronavirus pandemic. Some workers who are receiving unemployment benefits are staying away from work until their assistance runs out, but others are being kept away by a more basic reason: They are afraid of contracting COVID-19 or bringing it home to loved ones. What can construction managers do to help?
September 10 - How to Adjust Subcontractor & Site Visitor Policies in COVID-19 (Construction Business Owner) - As business owners across the country have discovered, adapting to a new normal in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic is no easy feat ... it’s up to you to help keep your employees safe and healthy while implementing potentially lifesaving recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
September 8 - Contractors Prepare to Face COVID-19 Challenges for the Long Haul (Construction Dive) - Watching cashflow, refocusing on core skills and having backup plans for suppliers and materials are all in contractors' toolkits as they look to the rest of 2020 and beyond.
September 2 - Coronavirus Has Caused Significant Delays & Cancellations, Yet Demand For Skilled Labor Is High, New Survey Finds (Construction Business Owner) - Sixty percent of firms report future projects have been canceled or delayed, but 52% of firms struggle to find craft workers amid worker fears of COVID-19 and unemployment supplement.
September 2 - CDC: Beware of Counterfeit N95 Masks (Construction Dive) - The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says counterfeit respirators are being sold in the U.S. and that the models — many of them made in China — may not be capable of providing appropriate respiratory protection.
August 30 - Ransomware During COVID-19 (Government Technology) - What are current trends for ransomware attacks in 2020? How has COVID-19 impacted these cyberthreats? What are the warning signs to watch out for?
August 27 - The 10 Large Construction Markets Most Devastated by COVID-19 (Construction Dive) - New Dodge Data & Analytics research shows that U.S. commercial and multifamily construction starts plunged 22% during the first six months of 2020 compared to the same time frame in 2019. In terms of sectors, only warehouse construction posted a very small gain, while office, retail, hotels, commercial garages and multifamily housing all fell.
August 6 - What Employment Laws Could Look Like After COVID-19 (Construction Business Owner) - The reopening of America’s workplaces is creating a variety of challenges for employees and employers alike. In some cases, employers attempting to resume operations are hampered, and in some instances, they are unable to do so due to laid-off employees’ reluctance or refusal to return to work.
July 30 - COVID-19 Will Disrupt Construction for at Least Another Year (Construction Dive) - Construction Dive asked readers how much longer they expected COVID-19 to impact their companies, the steps they were taking to protect workers over the long haul, whether they would apply for more government assistance should it become available, and their biggest concerns as the crisis continues. A combined 75% of readers responded.
July 22 - OSHA's New COVID-19 Investigations (Construction Dive) - OSHA has been fairly aggressive about updating the construction industry about how employers should respond to actual and suspected cases of COVID-19 and how it will enforce suspected violations of health and other safety standards during the pandemic. However, a recent webinar ... shed some additional light on what contractors can expect from OSHA in the near-term regarding COVID-19.
July 9 - Which Face Coverings are Best for Preventing Jobsite Coronavirus Spread? (Construction Dive) - Researchers at Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science, using flow visualization testing in a laboratory equipped with laser light and a mannequin, recently published their findings as to which masks were the most effective.
June 25 - Cities Put Major Construction Projects on Hold as Coronavirus Budget Crunch Looms (Axios) - Survey of 1,100 municipalities by the National League of Cities says major infrastructure projects have been put on ice, economic development programs are getting the ax, and workers are losing their jobs.
June 15 - Non-PPP Financial Relief Options for Contractors (Construction Dive) - The construction industry had the greatest share of PPP loan recipients — 13.2% — for a total of almost $45 billion as of April 16. But there are other options contractors should consider if they don't want or cannot qualify for a PPP loan.
June 9 - California Construction Company Offers Free App to Control COVID-19 (Construction Dive) - This free health screening tool and attendance log app can help construction companies meet critical mandates set by many county health agencies.
June 8 - New York City Reopens Nonessential Construction Work (Construction Dive) - Starting today, workers will begin returning to New York City's construction sites after a months-long coronavirus moratorium.
June 1 - OSHA Issues New Guidance to Protect Workers During COVID-19 (Construction Business Owner) - As the nation faces the coronavirus pandemic, the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is dedicated to keeping the American workforce safe and healthy.
May 27 - Coronavirus has affected construction the most in these 10 states (Construction Dive) - While the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics' data shows deep construction job losses across the country since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, states including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Vermont experienced all-time lows.
May 20 - Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) - This guide is designed to help borrowers understand the process by which their loan forgiveness amount will be calculated and the overall approach of the loan forgiveness process.
May 19 - What Construction Workers Need to Know about COVID-19 (CDC) - Actions you can take as a construction worker to protect yourself and slow the spread.
May 18 - Gov. Baker Unveils Road Map for Reopening Massachusetts (NBC10 Boston) - Manufacturing and construction business can reopen Monday, while some offices and service businesses can follow on Memorial Day.
May 14 - N.J. to Allow Construction as Coronavirus Outbreak Slows (NJ.com) - New Jersey will allow nonessential retail businesses to reopen for curbside pickup and nonessential construction to resume, starting Monday morning, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to show signs of slowing.
May 13 - With North Bay Coronavirus Restrictions Relaxing on Construction, Some Work Resumes (the North Bay Business Journal) - Construction restrictions for nonessential projects during the coronavirus pandemic came off in Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties May 4, in California, giving the tri-county region a glimpse of modified business as usual.
May 12 - New York to Begin Limited Reopening in Upstate Region (The New York Times) - Parts of New York that have met seven health and testing criteria will be allowed to restart construction, manufacturing, and curbside retail.
May 11 - Scott Reopens Manufacturing, Construction Industries After Dip In New COVID-19 Cases (VPR) - The manufacturing and construction businesses that employ more than 50,000 people in Vermont were allowed to “restart full operations” on May 11; will have to adhere to “stringent requirements” to protect workers.
May 11 - Boston & Bay Area Reopen Construction—With Limitations (Construction Business Owner) - This week, one of these two metropolitan areas announced plans to reopen construction and one returned to work after weeks of being shut down. Some construction firms will go back to work with specific protocols in place.
May 5 - Free Downloadable Safety Meetings, Inspections & JHA Templates for COVID-19 (Heavy Construction Systems Specialists) - HCSS is making all of its COVID-19 resources, including state-specific resources, available to the industry as a whole.
April 30 - Construction Resumes on Projects in 2 States (Construction Business Owner) - Read the details of the openings planned for Pennsylvania and Washington.
April 29 - How Contractors are Using Tech to Continue Essential Work (Construction Dive) - From remote meetings to virtual inspections to integrating social distancing safety devices, contractors are finding technology-based solutions to continue work as most states have deemed at least some construction essential and as some re-allow all construction work.
April 26 - How to Stay Safe as a Contractor During COVID-19 Pandemic (Contractor Advisorly) - A brief reminder of some ways that contractors and other essential workers can stay safe in this pandemic.
April 16 - State-by-State Coronavirus Construction Status Updates (ENR) - Region-by-region coverage of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction industry.
April 10 - OSHA Issues Guidance for Recording COVID-19 Cases (U.S. Dept. of Labor) - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim guidance for enforcing OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements as it relates to recording cases of COVID-19.
April 7 - How COVID-19 Is Affecting Construction Bidding & Jobsite Activity (ConstructConnect) - Reports show a healthy number of new bidding opportunities (public and private) coming in, both in the U.S. and Canada. Jobsite activity, timeline of jobsite delays and disruptions, and states with "stay at home" orders and what construction is essential are all discussed here.
April 3 - Construction Job Totals Start to Fall, with 29,000 Drop in March (Engineering News Record) - The construction industry lost 29,000 jobs in March and its unemployment rate climbed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says, in a report that charts the early economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
April 2 - Is Construction Essential in Your State (constructconnect) - Around the U.S., we’re seeing more states, counties, and cities choose to close nonessential businesses or issue some sort of “stay at home” or “shelter in place” orders.
April 1 - DOL Issues Additional Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Construction Executive) - The U.S. Department of Labor continues to issue compliance assistance materials on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which went into effect on April 1.
April 1 - Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide & Checklist (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) - The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses.
April 1 - Florida Governor Looks to Accelerate Transportation Projects (Click Orlando)
March 31 - SF Bay Area Halts Most Construction; LA Issues Stronger Site Safety Rules (Engineering News Record) - Six Bay Area counties in California—Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara, along with the city of Berkeley—announced March 31 that most construction will be halted due to a tightened, joint shelter-in-place order effective at 11:59 p.m. The mayor of Los Angeles also announced new site safety guidelines and encouraged public reporting of construction non-compliance to the city’s safer-at-home order.
March 30 - NYC Announces Fines of up to $10K if Work Continues on Non-Essential Projects (Engineering News Record)- Project teams in New York City may be fined up to $10,000 if found working on non-essential or non-emergency construction—or if workers on projects that are allowed to continue don't practice social distancing to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus, say new city Dept. of Buildings protocols.
March 28 - New Department Of Homeland Security Guidance Clarifies Construction’s Role In Supporting Essential Critical Infrastructure (Associated General Contractors) - Construction Officials Say New Federal Guidance Should Signal to State and Local Officials the Need to Allow Construction Activity to Continue, or Resume, During Coronavirus-Related Work Stoppages.
March 28 - Guidance for Employers to Plan & Respond to Coronavirus (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) - The following guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including the coronavirus, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of the coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
March 26 - Construction Attorneys Answer Coronavirus Legal Questions (Construction Dive) - The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a host of legal issues for U.S. construction professionals. Here, construction attorneys from Minneapolis-based international law firm Dorsey & Whitney answer top questions.
CMAA Program Updates
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Effective March 20, CMCI's testing vendor has closed some in-person testing centers. CMCI has launched Live Remote Proctoring as an option for candidates to be able to safely take the CCM exam.
- All Professional Construction Management (PCM) Courses and Train the Trainer are now conducted through virtual or online schedules. View all course options here.
- Any information (especially certification applications and supporting information) mailed to the CMAA address may encounter processing delays of up to five additional days. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.