URGENT: Essential businesses in Sacramento County required to implement social distancing protocols.
On April 7, 2020, the County of Sacramento released an updated Stay at Home Order. In this updated order, all construction remains as a designated “essential industry,” but an important directive was added. All essential businesses must prepare a “Social Distancing Protocol.” To facilitate this protocol, the Sacramento County Department of Public Health included an example of a Social Distancing Protocol form appended to the order. A copy of your company’s protocol must be provided to each employee and businesses must provide evidence of its implementation to any authority enforcing the Order. SRBX recommends all members utilize the suggested protocol furnished by Sacramento County. Please use this link to download a template. Continued reinforcement and practice of recommended safety protocols will keep our industry building safely. This Wednesday, April 1 at 10 a.m., jobsites across California will pause for a COVID-19 Safety Stand Down.
Join in this unified effort to help educate our work crews about the critical role safety and health plays during this global crisis. Together, we can help flatten the curve and keep our teams safe. As an industry, we have an obligation on our jobsites to ensure every individual understands the policies and procedures to keep us safe during the COVID-19 crisis. Please join SRBX for a statewide Safety Stand Down on Wednesday, April 1, at 10 a.m. to drive home the importance of this issue. We encourage you to use this Toolbox Talk created by our friends at the AGC Safety and Health Council to aid in your discussions. We are proud SRBX is among the industry partners with AGC who have joined in this effort. Please send photographs of your teams participating in the Safety Stand Down to tmanciu@srbx.org. OnwardCA.org is a one-stop repository of information and resources for workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses.
Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. The United States Chamber of Commerce has developed this excellent Emergency Loan guide and checklist for Small Businesses. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or ACT) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO POST THIS NOTICE IMMEDIATELY! These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
For FAQ on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice please click here. SRBX is working with a coalition of construction and business associations to leverage resources and information during the COVID-19 crisis, and our coalition partners at the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce are tracking up-to-date information on federal, state and local government assistance programs for businesses. Resources for Employers regarding Federal Assistance, Potential Business Closure, Banking Access and Financial and Tax Assistance can be accessed at https://rapidresponse.metrochamber.org/employers/
California Contractors Insurance Services Shares:
Contracts: Protecting your Construction Business During COVID-19 Teaser: Despite the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, California’s construction industry continues to move forward building much-needed housing, remodeling commercial spaces and maintaining habitability of homes. With county Shelter-in-Place orders varying wildly and a Statewide mandate that is as clear as mud, contractors are searching for best practices to protect themselves and their employees from legal ramifications for job delays and material supply chain interruptions. To read more click here. California Contractors Insurance Services Shares: Reviewing your Municipal or Government Contract in the Era of COVID-19 Mandates Teaser: When contractors bid and win construction projects for Municipal, State or Federal Government work, they are beholden to the issued contract provided by the governing body of their project. These contracts can be upwards of 80 to 100 pages and contain project specifications, insurance and bond requirements, and legal ramifications for late or unfinished work. As California continues to roll out more clarification on “Shelter-in-Place” orders and guidelines for who is considered essential, contractors on different infrastructure and government construction projects are left with questions about how to stay compliant with issued mandates and signed contracts. To read more click here. |