Two recent reports assess the occupational risks of the Coronavirus in construction as compared to other industries. Cody Charland, in a blog post for Safran Law Offices, Raleigh, N.C., reports that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found that “construction workers were listed in the third quartile for physical proximity to others (Avg. 62.3), yet first quartile for exposure to diseases (Avg. 8.3).” Another study by the World Economic Forum ranked construction above the average risk for contact with others, physical proximity, and exposure.

Though outdoor construction work offers natural advantages in preventing the spread of coronavirus, precautions still should be taken. Points of transmission which could cause present and future outbreaks remain, including shared tools, as well as common spaces such as outdoor toilets, job site trailers, and work vehicles.

According to Jordan Hollingsworth, Field Operations Manager, in a blog post for Safety Management Group, “Construction projects must develop and implement a Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan consistent with best practices. Every construction project involves unique characteristics and circumstances, so what is appropriate and feasible for each project may be different.”

While the CDC offers construction-specific guidelines, Hollingsworth shared some additional insight. Tailgate safety meetings, for example, should follow CDC guidelines limiting the number of people to 10 or should be executed via video briefings.

Charland also suggests monitoring site logistics. Deliveries should be planned with contact and cleaning protocols, choke points should be identified and barriers installed to limit physical access, and community food areas, like coffeepots and water dispensers, should be eliminated.

“Shared tools should be eliminated wherever possible and all tools should be cleaned regularly. Any
shared equipment (including tools and vehicles) should be disinfected before and after each use, with disinfectant wipes readily available,” says Charland, who also recommends aerial lifts be used by just one person at a time, unless additional PPE is worn.

The CDC reminds construction workers that cloth face coverings are NOT appropriate substitutes where masks or respirators are recommended or required. Cleaning and disinfecting should be done at the beginning and end of every shift and after anyone uses your vehicle, tools, or workstation. Employers should provide soap, clean running water, and materials for drying hands, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers at multiple stations, and install temporary or mobile handwashing stations with single-use paper towels, or provide a large (5+ gallon) bucket with a lid and tap for handwashing. Regularly clean and disinfect the tap and provide fresh clean water daily.

Finally, an article from EHS Today notes, “Few of the guidance documents tell you how to select or use disinfecting chemicals and methods.” The article by Neal Langerman with Advanced Chemical Safety attempts to fill that gap.

Resources
How Construction Compares to Other Industries with Coronavirus from Safran Law Offices
Best Construction Safety Practices for COVID-19 from Safety Management Group
What Construction Workers Need to Know about COVID-19 from CDC
Sanitizing and Disinfecting Your Business During the Pandemic from EHS Today

Connector magazine will publish a training directory in the Fall 2020 issue featuring training resources for employer of ironworkers in the categories of Aerial Device Operator, Fall Protection, Ironworker and Welding. To be included, organizations must provide services to the general public.

Only SEAA members qualify to receive a complimentary upgraded listing featuring their logo.
Inclusion in the training directory is free but subject to review and approval by Connector Media
Advisory Committee.
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Interested in advertising your training program? Contact Chris Harrison, Publisher, at
connectorsales@seaa.net or 660-287-7660.

The Steel Erectors Association of America announces that the Ironworker Skills Institute, Pell City, Ala., which educates future generations of ironworkers, will receive this year’s SEAA Craft Training Grant.

Designated for member companies who are newly implementing SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Training and Assessment programs, the grant covers initial setup, training for administrators, instructors, and coordinators, and custom training materials for Ironworker Levels 1-3, or similar curriculum.

“The committee awarded Ironworker Skills Institute the craft training grant based on its unparalleled commitment to recruiting and developing future Ironworkers. The impact that they have made on their community in such a short period of time really is incredible,” said Bryan McClure, Chairman of SEAA’s Safety & Education committee.

Now in its fifth year of operation, the Ironworker Skills Institute was established by John Garrison of Garrison Steel, for ironworkers to get training on rigging, welding, and the use of safety equipment and tools. In 2017 Garrison was able to partner with a local community college, where he taught classes. After the first semester, he realized the Institute needed a place of its own, and moved it permanently to property next to his company. Today, instructors teach students from area high schools, who come from as far away as an hour’s drive.

“With this grant, we can provide students with their own course materials, which can be a resource to them in the future,” said Patty Daigle, ISI director. “It will also allow us to incorporate new technology into our training program, which is growing and changing as we learn the needs of the high schools we work with.”

With an average of 25 new high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates each fall, the Institute uses NCCER coursework and live situations in its training programs. The organization plans to offer adult education classes in January 2021. “It is an honor to receive this grant,” said Daigle. “We thank SEAA, and hope we can continue to make them proud in our efforts to train ironworkers in Alabama.”

About Steel Erectors Association of America
Founded in 1972, SEAA is the only national trade association representing the interests of steel erectors, fabricators, contractors, and related service providers. The association promotes safety, education and training programs for steel erector trades, including its Ironworker Craft Training curriculum. The association works in partnership with other steel construction, design, and steel product organizations to protect the interests of those who construct steel structures. Learn more at www.seaa.net.

Daily changes due to COVID-19 and CDC Guidance have directly impacted AISC Certification’s ability to carry out in-person site audits.
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In response, AISC will begin remote assessments on May 4, 2020, for affected participants in North America and the U.S. Territories. Currently, we are not offering remote assessments to our participants outside of North America.

We have released two bulletins that provide additional information and clarifications about the remote assessment process. The bulletins can be found at our Remote Assessment Site (at www.aisc.org) along with a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you transition to this new normal.

·        Remote Assessments - see Bulletin 2020-03
·        Additional information about Remote Assessments - see Bulletin 2020-03.1
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As we mentioned at our NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference presentation on April 23, 2020, we are released updated Governing Requirements for Certification Programs on May 5, 2020. They will become effective on June 1, 2020, for all applicants and certified participants. For more information, please review Bulletin 2020-04.
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This is our usual annual update, which is intended to provide additional clarity and consider the evolving needs of the industry. Please visit our Governing Requirements Site (at www.aisc.org), where you’ll find the bulletin and the lists of updated requirements for each certification and endorsement. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact AISC Certification at certification@aisc.org or 312.670.7520.

Four new Craft Training Videos are now available through the Members Only Portal on the SEAA
website. These short videos support the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Level 1 curriculum and have
been designed to complement your existing training materials.

Core Module One, 00101 Basic Safety

• Objective 2 - Properly don, fit, and remove a Fall Arrest Harness

Ironworking Module Four, 0030104 Fastening

• Objective 2 - Demonstrate the turn-of-nut method.
• Objective 4 - Demonstrate the proper use of a tension control gun.

Ironworking Module Nine, 00109 Structural Ironworking

• Objective 4 - Make bolted connections on structural steel.

"SEAA is working toward developing about 20 additional Level 1 videos that can be used to
accompany the Craft Training Program. These training videos are only available to members of
SEAA and are a great tool to help engage your employees in training," said Tim Eldridge, President
of Education Services Unlimited and SEAA’s Craft Training and Assessment Administrator.
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For log in assistance, please contact the SEAA office admin@seaa.net