LATEST INFORMATION
Updated 3-27-2020

Clarification on exempt construction 
The AGC of Michigan has been aggressively working with Governor Whitmer’s office to clarify which construction is exempt from the Stay at Home Executive Order.  The Frequently Asked Questions document addresses construction specifically as follows: 

‘Some limited forms of construction are permissible, including construction to maintain and improve essential public works like roads, bridges, the telecommunications infrastructure, and public health infrastructure. Construction workers may also undertake such projects as necessary to maintain and improve the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.  In addition, businesses may designate construction firms to provide necessary support to the work of the businesses’ critical infrastructure workers. All construction work that is carried out while the order is in effect must be done in accordance with the mitigation measures required under section 5(c) of the order.’

AGC is continuing discussions with the Governor and her administration about getting all of Michigan’s construction industry back to work.  We will continue to provide information to you as the situation evolves.

In the meantime, WE NEED YOUR HELP!  The construction industry and the work it performs is vital and essential to the critical industries that must remain in operation to respond to this pandemic and crises to come. AGC is lobbying Congress to specifically add construction to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidance on critical industries whose workforce should maintain their normal work schedules.  If amended, this could directly affect Michigan’s construction industry.  Let your voice be heard today!

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AGC OF MICHIGAN’S RESPONSE
The AGC of Michigan is coordinating with AGC of America and AGC’s nationwide network of Chapters and Michigan’s Building Trades about needs and measures to address potential economic and job safety concerns.  AGC is reaching out to state agencies with construction contracts, as well as public-funded contracting authorities, to begin conversations about how COVID-19 may affect projects, from potential delays to potential safety precautions. In order to protect our members, staff, and the public, we have postponed several upcoming events and will be holding conference calls in the near future.  We are committed to serving our members throughout this crisis, and will do our best to respond to any requests in a timely manner.

• COVID-19 Job site practices
• Project PPE - Sign up to donate open boxes, leftovers or never used PPE to local medical facilities.  For more information email [email protected]​
• Lack of clarity in Whitmer’s stay-home order frustrates small businesses (MI Biz article 3/26/20)
  

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AGC OF AMERICA WEBSITE AND RESOURCES
AGC of America has assembled a range of information from public health experts on COVID-19 as a resource for members.
****URGENT ACTION ALERT (3/23/20):  Tell President Trump and Congress to treat the construction industry and the work it performs as vital and essential to the critical industries that must remain in operation to respond to this pandemic and crises to come. To ensure this is the case, t​he federal government must issue guidance classifying construction as a critical infrastructure industry whose workers are essential.  Take action


STATE OF MICHIGAN RESOURCES
From the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus

Michigan COVID-19 Business Response Center (a service of the Business Leaders for Michigan)  

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OSHA RESOURCES

• Guidelines on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• Prevent Worker Exposure to COVID-19
• Fact Sheet on protecting workers during a pandemic
• More information on COVID-19

COVID-19 AS RECORDABLE INCIDENT
For details on AGC's role in the revision of OSHA guidelines on limiting the parameters under which COVID-19 is a recordable illness, click here.

OSHA recordkeeping requirements at 29 CFR Part 1904 mandate covered employers record certain work-related injuries and illnesses on their OSHA 300 log.  While 29 CFR 1904.5(b)(2)(viii) exempts recording of the common cold and flu, COVID-19 is a recordable illness when a worker is infected on the job.

​COVID-19 can be a recordable illness if a worker is infected as a result of performing their work-related duties.  However, employers are only responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 if all of the following are met:

1. The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19 (see CDC information on persons under investigation and presumptive positive and laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19);
2. The case is work-related, as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5; and
3. The case involves one or more of the general recording criteria set forth in 29 CFR 1904.7 (e.g. medical treatment beyond first-aid, days away from work).