COVID-19 Resource Center

Across the world we are facing uncertain times together as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve. During these challenging times, SWR Institute is committed to communicating proactively with all of our members as we navigate these uncharted waters together. This is why we created a COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER.  This resource center is dedicated entirely to COVID-19 and will include daily updates from the government, helpful resources/links, and provide you with ways you and your company can make a difference. 

Latest news about COVID-19 and its impact in the construction industry

Construction Daily News & Resource Tracker

Construction News

Free Legal Advice for Contractors

Construction attorney answers readers' coronavirus legal questions

Free Toolbox Talk App

COVID-19 Resources for Architects

Construction Post-Coronavirus: 4 Tools to Adapt to the New Normal

CDC - What Construction Workers Need to Know about COVID-19

Construction Daily News & Resource Tracker

Construction News from Dodge

SWR Institute Board Member, Jessica Maguire (Allied Waterproofing, Inc) created a QR Code for her crews to submit their daily COVID-19 logs. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to create your own QR Code.

HEROES Act Comprehensive Summary

Getting cash for your small business through the CARES Act

• CARES Act Summary
• Deferral of Employment Tax Deposits & Payments 
• IRS Portal: State and Local Relief Funds
• Joint Committee on Taxation CARES Act: Paid Leave Guidance

The Coronavirus Relief Fund (CARES Act, Title V): COVID-19 Aid State & Local Allocations

• Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions (5.29.2020 Updated)

OSHA COVID-19

• OSHA Resource Page
• 11/6: Lessons Learned: Frequently Cited Standards Related to COVID-19 Inspections. 
• 11/6: Common COVID-19 Citations: Helping Employers Better Protect Workers and Comply with OSHA Regulations
• 11/4: COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation in the Workplace (Spanish Version)
• 10/20: (OSHA) has published a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on how N95 respirators effectively protect wearers from coronavirus exposure. 
• 10/20: Workers Wearing Face Coverings in Hot and Humid Conditions - OSHA published guidance on the use of cloth face coverings while working both indoors and outdoors in hot and humid conditions. Employers should follow this guidance to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and the risk of heat-related illness.
• 10/15: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Reporting Work-Related
  Cases of the Coronavirus
• 10/5: Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Memorandum, which provides temporary enforcement guidance for enforcing initial and annual fit-testing requirements of the Respiratory Protection standard
• On 5/27 OSHA launched a new webpage with coronavirus-related guidance for construction employers and workers. 
• Guidance on Returning to Work (New as of 6/17)
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions - Face Cloth Coverings (Updated on 6/10)
• Workers' Rights and Employers' Responsibilities 
• Workplace COVID-19 Resources grouped by industry. Read here (Updated on 5/26)
• Key OSHA Standards for COVID-19
• COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce (Spanish) (Updated 6/8)
• The General Builders Contractor Association
  • COVID-19 Recommended Job Site Protocols
  • PowerPoint Presentation: COVID-19 Recommended Job Site Protocols
• Many State Plans have issued guidelines for employers and workers in their states and some are included in this resource.
• Joint OSHA-CDC guidance: Manufacturing Workers and Employers.
• Poster, now available in 13 languages: Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus Poster (Updated on 6/8)
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (Spanish) (Updated on 6/8)
• Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (Spanish) (Updated on 6/8)
• Worker Exposure Risk to COVID-19 (Spanish) (Updated on 6/8)
• COVID-19 Hazard Recognition (Updated on 6/8)
• COVID-19 Control and Prevention (Updated on 6/8)
• Videos Providing Quick Safety Tips (Updated on 6/8)
• NEW resources on wearing respirators:
  • Video on Putting on and Taking off a Mask
  • Seven Steps to Correctly Wear a Respirator at Work (Spanish)

Enforcement Memorandums: Eight (8) memorandums related to COVID-19 are in effect and intended to be time-limited to the current public health crisis:

• 05/19/2020 - Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 
• 05/19/2020 - Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• 04/24/2020- Enforcement Guidance on Decontamination of Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• 04/16/2020 - Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer's Good Faith Efforts During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• 04/08/2020 - Expanded Temporary Enforcement Guidance on Respiratory Protection Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces in All Industries During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• 04/03/2020 - Enforcement Guidance for Use of Respiratory Protection Equipment Certified under Standards of Other Countries or Jurisdictions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• 04/03/2020 - Enforcement Guidance for Respiratory Protection and the N95 Shortage Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic - [1910.134 App B-1]
• 03/14/2020 - Temporary Enforcement Guidance - Healthcare Respiratory Protection Annual Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America 

• COVID-19 Resource Page
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet (Updated on 5/29)
• COVID-19 and Grief: Adapting How We Grieve During a Pandemic (NEW as of 6/16)
• Improving Worker Well-Being During COVID-19 (NEW as of 6/12)
• Guidance to Assist Employers with COVID-19 Contact Tracing [Updated on 6/03]
• Conducting Workplace COVID-19 Screenings & Assessments (Updated on 7/29)
• Hand Sanitizing Stations: Materials and Directions for Construction (Updated on 5/13)
• COVID-19 Toolbox Talk (Updated on 5/29)
  • Spanish Version (Updated on 6/3)
• Recommended COVID-19 Response Plan for Construction Employers (Updated on 5/29)
  • Spanish Version (Updated on 6/2)
• Sample Social Distancing Protocol for Construction Jobsites
  • Editable Version – Add Company/logo
• What Construction Contractors Should Know About Federal OSHA and COVID-19 (Updated on 5/15)
• COVID-19 Workplace Safety & Health Program (Updated on 7/29)
  • Editable Version - Add Company/Logo
• COVID-19 Return to Work Guidance for Office Settings (Updated on 5/29)
• COVID-19 Financial Impact: Resources for Individuals and Families (Updated on 5/20)
• The Impact on Health and Welfare Plan Benefits (Updated on 5/19/20)
• COVID-19 Information and Tips for High-Risk Groups

CPWR for the Construction Industry

Department of Labor (DOL)
The FFRCA included two employment provisions to expand eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act leave and make emergency paid sick leave available to some workers. The provisions are in effect until Dec. 31, 2020.

• U.S. Department of Labor Adopts Revised Enforcement Policies For Coronavirus. (May 19, 2020).
• U.S. Department of Labor Acts to Help American Workers And Employers During the Coronavirus Pandemic. (May 17, 2020).
• Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19
  • Check with your states unemployment insurance program
  • The Employment and Training Administration announced new guidance outlining state flexibilities in administering their unemployment insurance programs to assist 
• New DOL Overtime Rules For Employers– New Regulations To Mitigate Legal & Financial Risks In 2020. Register for the May 7th Webinar
• U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers That They Cannot Retaliate Against Workers Reporting Unsafe Conditions During Coronavirus Pandemic
• COVID-19 & the American workplace.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) continues its efforts to support American workers and position the economy for a strong rebound. DOL is hosting a national online dialogue, Opening America’s Workplaces Again about the challenges that may be faced as businesses reopen and how best to help employers and workers safely reopen America’s workplaces.Join your fellow Americans and share your best ideas on these topics:
    We want to hear from you. Get started at https://OpeningWorkplaces.ideascale.com. Please share this information with your members and stakeholders, as able.
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act
  • Benefit Bulletin
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Guidance - Questions & Answers
  • Issues Posters for Employers to Post related to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Advisory: FFCRA Guidelines
• Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 is now available in English & Spanish
  
  ***SWR Institute Member Forum - Communicate with your fellow members on SWR Institute’s Member Forum to share information and ask and answer questions in real time

Remember Gene Marks?? He was our keynote speaker at the 2019 Fall Technical Meeting in Charleston. Below are some TV appearances and articles Gene has done related to the COVID-19 crisis.

Recent columns Gene wrote that you might like:
Getting Cash NOW from the Federal Goverment. Read Article. 

8 Things You Need to Know About the 2020 Payroll Tax Credit. Read Article.

Small businesses aren't to reopen. But let's build a plan for when we are. The world has changed, and running a small business won’t be the same in May as it was in February.​ Read Article. 

There's a lot of federal money available for coronavirus-impacted small businesses. Get your share.
 
Now is the time for the banks to show they really care about small businesses

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) ARTICLES

​ 06/01 - MA - Cambridge updates construction order. Read here. 05/19 - MA - Gov outlines plan to reopen. Read here. 05/19 - NY - NYC could start to reopen in early June. Read here.  05/15 – NY – Gov expands phased reopening. Read here. 05/15 – NY – Construction to restart. Read here. 05/14 – NY – Construction to resume in three upstate regions. Read here. 05/14 – NJ – NJ construction reopens Monday. Read here. 05/12 – VT – Manufacturing and construction can restart today. Read here.  05/12 – PA – Some projects still on hold due to outbreaks. Read here. 05/12 – NY – Construction can restart in three regions. Read here.  05/12 – School construction in NY to reopen if stimulus arrive. Read here. 05/11 – MA – Boston mayor suggests restrictions may ease further. Read here.  05/11 – NY – Potential for upstate NY construction to resume on May 15. Read here.  05/08 – NJ – Construction restart could be soon. Read here.  05/08 – MI – Construction restart today. Read here.  05/07 – MA – Boston construction set to resume May 18 as long as virus continues to recede. Read here. 05/06 – MA – Massachusetts Unions eager for restart. Read Here 05/05 – WA – Construction won’t open till June. Read here.  05/05 – NY – When NY reopens construction slated for Phase I. Read here.  05/02 – IL – O’Hare will move forward, perhaps at slower pace. Read here. 05/02 – CA – SFO construction to resume. Read here.  05/02 – MI – Michigan construction to continue. Read here. 04/30 – OH – Gov to reopen OH. Read here.  04/30 – MI – MI construction to reopen May 7. Read here.  04/30 – CA – SF construction allowed to resume. Read here. 04/30 – CA – Santa Clara construction rules eased. Read here. 04/29 – FL – Disney’s construction division lays off hundreds. Read here.  04/29 – TX – Nearly 70% of Texas construction firms have projects on hold. Read here.  04/29 – OH – Construction can begin May 4. Read here.  04/29 – NY – Gov’s 12 step plan to reopen economy. Read here.  04/29 – NY – More than 5,200 NYC projects reopen. Read here.  04/29 – CA – LA expands free testing for construction workers. Read here. 04/29 – CA – San Fran extends construction restrictions through May. Read here.  04/29 – MA – Boston safety rules take shape. Read here.  04/28 – NY – Gov says construction ready for phased reopening. Read here. 04/28 – WA – Gov allows some projects to reopen. Read here.  04/28 – MI – Gov says construction may be next to restart. Read here. 04/28 – CA – San Jose officials consider easing restrictions. Read here.  04/27 – WA - Construction industry set to resume after one month shutdown. Read here.  To read COVID-19 Construction articles from 3/27 - 4/24, click here

The federal government is taking steps to stem the spread of COVID, updates to actions taken can be found below:​

• 6/4/2020 - Senate leadership says next stimilus bill will be the last.
• 5/20/2020 - Pelosi: Proxy voting for House floor next week.
• 5/18/2020 - Senators put support behind bill delivering more aid to state and local governments
• 5/12/2020 - HEROES Act Proposal. House will meet on Friday to vote on this bill. The HEROES Act Summary.
• 5/11/2020 - House wont vote on new stimulus package before Friday.
• 5/8/2020 - Pelosi reveals multitrillion-dollar aid package proposal; negotiations with lawmakers yet to come.
• 5/5/2020 - DOL: Dislocated Worker Grants can fund coronavirus contact tracing efforts.
• ​5/5/2020 - Senate split on money for state and local governments.
• 5/4/2020 - Today, the Senate returns to Washington DC.
• 4/28/2020 - House pulls back, will not return on May 4th.
• 4/28/2020 - McConnell say more money likely for state and local governments through next aid bill.
• 4/23/2020 - House passes $484 billion emergency aid bill
• 4/22/2020 - Treasury releases guidance for COVID-19 relief fund.
• 4/22/2020 - Senate approves $500 billion in additional relief aid for small businesses, hospitals.
• 4/20/2020 - Lawmakers propose additional $500 billion for state & local governments
• 4/16/2020 - Federal Reserve announces opening of Paycheck Protection Program.
• 4/13/2020 - House not expected to return before My 4th.
• 4/9/2020 - Dems block aid funding in hopes of providing more for hospitals and local governments.
• 4/9/2020 - Fed moves to make $2.3 trillion available in loans to support economy.
• 4/8/2020 - Dem leaders push for additional $500 billion in stopgap aid funding
• 4/7/2020 - Education secretary authorized funding flexibilies to support continued learning
• 4/7/2020 - Work on 4th aid package continues; Pelosi hopes to have bill near end of month
• 4/2/2020 - FTA announces aid funding availability, and outlines allocation

To read federal government updates from 2/28 - 3/30, click here

Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19

• Visit Coronavirus.gov for the latest official information from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force at the White House.
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) -- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Visit FEMA for answers to coronavirus myths and rumors.
• See Frequently Asked Questions about coronavirus.
• Interim Guidance for Business and Employers
  • Find information on assistance programs available to small businesses.
• National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) -- Coronavirus Disease-2019
• NIOSH -- Talk from Dr. John Howard, Director of NIOSH -- SARS-CoV2 and the Workplace (starts at 12:00)

GovPredict built a map showing every state’s response to the coronavirus / COVID-19. It’s a free resource as a public service.


For those wanting to help, here are 7 ways you can make a difference

• Donate PPE Supplies. SWR Institute is urging all our member companies who have extra PPE supplies (N95 masks, gloves, safety glasses, Tyvek suits) to please donate to local hospitals right away!! Many hospitals are days away from completely running out of PPE supplies for front-line medical personnel. We cannot let this happen, so we urge our members with a surplus of PPE to donate it to your local hospital. Your company’s donation could really make a difference!
  • Listen to Craig Allender's plea to our SWR Institute family to work together and donate any extra unused PPE you may have to your local hospitals.
  • Click here to see a list of Donation Centers.
  • McGill Restoration, Inc. PPE Emergency Relief Fund: McGill Restoration, Inc. will be placing an order for masks to donate to Hospital Systems in New York, Cleveland, Nebraska, Chicago and Detroit and other hospital systems in need across the country.  They need your help to reach their goal of 1,000,000 masks donated. McGill Restoration, Inc. has secured manufacturing capacity with a Chinese EO member company and have arranged DSV Global Support and Logistics to air freight masks from Shanghai to Cleveland AT COST. Click here for more details. Make a difference and Donate Today!
• Can you or someone you know sew? National retailer JOANN Fabrics and Craft Stores released a video tutorial on how to make face masks. The retailer encourages people to drop off them at store locations, where they will be donated to local hospitals. Some JOANN’S are providing free mask making kits, call your local JOANN’S near you
• Contact Your Representatives. Click here to learn how
• Donate Blood. Supplies are critically low, and blood products are still needed. It is safe, easy and takes relatively no time. Plus, you get free snacks!
• Offer a helping hand. Consider delivering food or calling a neighbor isolated by COVID-19. Check sites like NextDoor to join a volunteer group in your area. 
• Donate to the COVID-19 General Relief Fund.
• Spread the word. Share fundraisers with your network to bring awareness to causes that matter to you. You can see hundreds of COVID-19 related fundraisers at GoFundMe centralized hub.