Improve Safety and Health
Finding ways to ensure the safety and health of the construction workforce is essential to creating a better workplace. That is why AGC of America continued to advocate for tougher new highway work zone safety measures, to offer world-class physical and mental safety education and training programs and is pushing firms to stockpile life-saving medicines to prevent overdose fatalities. All the while, we continued to support key industry safety initiatives like National Construction Safety Week. The safer and healthier the workforce, the better the workplace.
Pushing for Safer Highway Work Zones
AGC worked again with HCSS to conduct a survey of highway contractors designed to measure the severity and impacts of highway work zone crashes. We collected results from hundreds of member firms, prepared comprehensive release data and crafted two video public service messages (here and here) designed to encourage motorists to be more careful in highway work zones.
We then worked with the Carolinas AGC to organize an in-person media event in late May to release the survey results. The broader objective of that media event was to encourage the North Carolina legislature to pass a measure to allow for automated enforcement of work zone speed limits, increase work zone penalties and require work zone safety training as part of the curriculum for getting a new driver’s license. We also worked with Steve McGough of HCSS to release the survey results nationally during a virtual media briefing. That briefing was also livestreamed on the AGC Facebook page so members could watch. And we worked with the Nevada Chapter of AGC out of Reno to participate in an in-person media event in Reno that included the state’s governor. During that event the chapter announced a new work zone safety advertising campaign, and we shared Nevada-specific survey results.
Addressing Mental Health Challenges
AGC continued to provide resources and support for members who are coping with a mental health crisis in the construction industry. We hosted sessions at our Annual Convention in San Diego and our two Safety and Health Conferences focusing on mental health. We organized five different virtual mental health forums that attracted hundreds of attendees. AGC supported National Suicide Prevention Month in September by hosting two different mental health webinars and releasing a Constructor Cast podcast on the topic. We featured mental health success strategies in the AGC Constructor Magazine. And we created a video highlighting how AGC members and chapters are coming together in Maine to address mental health challenges in the wake of a recent mass shooting incident.
Urging Firms to Stock Naloxone at Jobsites
AGC created and released a series of public service videos for the construction industry urging member firms to stock Naloxone on jobsites to prevent overdose fatalities. The videos feature emotional stories from members talking about how Naloxone helped them save lives. We distributed the videos to all members as part of a broader effort to get firms to stock the life-saving medication at their jobsites.
Supporting Construction Safety Week & OSHA’s National Safety Stand Down
AGC of America once again served as a signature supporter of National Construction Safety Week. As part of our support, we worked to get as many member firms as possible to engage in Safety Week activities, including holding safety stand downs and special safety training sessions. We released a podcast on Safety Week, featured promotional information about the event at our Annual Convention and hosted a webinar looking at ways to get involved in the industry-led safety initiative. We also supported, and participated in OSHA’s annual Safety Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction event.
Hosting Safety Training Programs
AGC of America arranged to have 32 construction professionals participate in AGC’s new virtual safety management training courses. Another 34 construction professionals participated in AGC’s in-person safety management training courses. Similarly, 34 construction professionals participated in AGC’s risk management training course. And nearly 550 construction professionals participated in AGC’s Fall Prevention in Construction safety training programs in 2024.
Promoting Heat Safety Measures
We continued to provide member firms and chapters with resources designed to help them keep workers safe and healthy during periods of high heat. We shared information about how member firms are keeping workers rested, hydrated and shaded in all kinds of conditions. We worked with the AGC of New Mexico to prepare a video highlighting innovative heat safety practices. And we focused on heat safety at in-person and online events like our Construction Safety and Health Conference.
Providing Proper Fitting PPE
To help address the need for proper-fitting personal protective equipment, or PPE for short, for women, AGC partnered with Autodesk to provide contractor members with complimentary PPE designed and sized to provide a better fit for women. Each PPE package will contain glasses, gloves, and a vest. We received dozens of requests for the kit and announced the recipients, and distributed the kits, during the AGC Annual Convention in Columbus in April.