Get the shot, urges AGC

The Arlington, Virginia-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is part of an alliance of trade groups calling COVID-19 vaccination a “vital safety issue.” The AGC and the other groups say they are partnering with the Atlanta-based Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to spend the week of April 19-23 urging construction workers to get vaccinated.

As part of the campaign, the association will distribute educational materials about the vaccine, as well releasing an industry public service announcement urging construction workers to get their shots.

“Construction workers have long looked after the welfare of their colleagues, reminding them to stay safe, wear the right gear and be aware of their surroundings,” says Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Getting their shot is another way workers can protect their colleagues, as well as their loved ones and community members.”

The association says it is working with the members of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (which is backed by the AGC and 24 other associations) to make sure the vaccination awareness campaign reaches as many construction workers as possible.

As part of the effort, the association says it has compiled resources, including information from the CDC, that member firms can share with workers, subcontractors and partners about the safety, effectiveness and availability of COVID-19 vaccines in their area.

Sandherr says the association also is asking its member firms to dedicate time during the week of April 19-23 to share resources with their workers and subcontractors about the vaccine. AGC says it has created toolbox talks and a public service announcement featuring a message from Sandherr and CDC officials, which firms can use while talking to workers.

The association is also partnering with the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to host a vaccination education webinar for the industry. During the webinar, CDC personnel will provide information on the current COVID-19 vaccines, the rollout of vaccines to construction workers and answer questions.

“The construction industry showed America how to work safely during the early days of the pandemic, and now we are going to show America how important it is to get their vaccines as soon as they can,” says Sandherr.