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August 3, 2020
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CONNECT WITH OCA
ON SOCIAL MEDIA..... |
  
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Featured Content
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The Problem With Masks
By, Sandra Harbrecht Ratchford |
Is there a problem with masks in this country? It sometimes seems so.
While the majority of Americans say they support wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, legions of others aren't so sure:
• They're for wimps.
• They cause other health problems.
• The pandemic is a hoax.
• Wearing a mask makes a political statement.
New York Times opinion writer Charlie Warzel says in a recent column that "trust in science seems increasingly fragile. That trust is endangered by what many public health experts I spoke with described as a messaging crisis."
While we don't share all of Warzel's conclusions in the article, we do agree with him on one thing: Masks aren't the real problem. The problem is we haven't got the messages or the messengers right.
No one set of messages works for all people, no matter what the issue is. Individuals and groups have their own experiences, prejudices and life situations. The rural experience is different from the urban one. A person who knows somebody with COVID-19 will have a different view from someone who doesn't. And receptiveness to behavior change will vary according to who they trust and believe. One of the most controversial aspects of coronavirus communications currently is who should be considered a credible messenger.
Messaging on masks has been fraught from the beginning. The situation was so new and so much was unknown that even the experts — the medical community — sent mixed signals about whether wearing a mask could "flatten the curve." Now that multiple studies have shown masks help stop the spread of the virus, the messaging has become more consistent. But the damage has been done.
Additionally, there has been no uniform voice on the subject, with each state, business and community often deciding for itself whether or when to suggest or mandate masks. While some local businesses required customers to wear masks as states allowed them to reopen, some leading companies only recently made it a requirement.
Our role models and credible spokespersons have also been a mixed bag. For every famous person urging us to wear masks, it seems there's another who tells us we have no obligation to and refuses to wear one him- or herself.
Changing behaviors is never easy. While prevailing COVID-19 messages seem to appeal to the greater good, human beings also want to know "what's in it for me?" Perhaps that's where some of the lines have become blurred. It took years to persuade Americans to wear seatbelts, first through a concerted advertising campaign (remember Vince and Larry, the jocular dummies torn to bits in repeated head-on crashes?) and laws mandating them.
There are lessons here that we can learn as business leaders. Changing behavior requires us first to know our audiences and empathize with them — what motivates them and what barriers to change they face. It requires us to present consistent messages that consider humans' tendency to resist change. And it requires credible messengers and role models, which almost every business has.
We will never get buy-in from 100% of our audiences, whether the goal is mask-wearing or support for organizational change. But understanding and acting on the pillars of persuasion will get us far enough — almost every time.
Any questions or comments about the article can be directed to the author, Sandra Harbrecht Ratchford, President and CEO, Paul Werth Associates, 614-224-8114, or 877-577-0017
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News |
 
URGENT ACTION ALERT
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Tell Congress and President Trump to include significant construction investment for transportation, schools, hospitals, water, and broadband infrastructure in this round of COVID relief legislation. With nearly 1 million construction workers unemployed, our elected leaders must act now to help save construction jobs and sustain the industry!
Due to the unprecedented impact of the pandemic, state and local governments collectively face budget shortfalls of over $500 billion that are putting immense pressure on public agencies to delay or cancel construction projects. This comes on top of many private owners, developers, and investors—facing vast uncertainty—drastically cutting back on future construction projects.
It is essential for the construction industry to be heard loudly and clearly on Capitol Hill as bipartisan negotiations are underway on this round of COVID relief legislation. Without passing legislation that provides robust levels of infrastructure investment, the construction industry could experience substantial market reductions, threatening the viability of thousands of construction firms and jeopardizing hundreds of thousands of construction jobs.
Click the "Take Action" button below and simply submit the pre-written message as is to your members of Congress and President Trump or customize it with personal information on how this issue impacts you and your employer.
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The declines in state tax collections are expected to well exceed the 11.6 percent drop experienced during the Great Recession, with some states anticipating declines of more than 20 percent. Meanwhile, 88 percent of cities expect a revenue shortfall this year. And, counties could lose $144 billion through fiscal year 2021. Similarly, devastating revenue losses in the hotel and lodging, retail and restaurant industries are leading to grim outlooks for future construction.
In response to AGC surveys, more than two-thirds (69 percent) of contractors report having a project canceled or delayed since the start of the pandemic in early March. An increasing share of respondents report that projects they expected to start in June or later this year have been canceled.
Amid these dire public and construction economic indicators, Congress and President Trump must include broad and robust infrastructure investment in the next COVID relief bill to combat the threat of more project delays, cancellations and, ultimately, construction firm closures and worker layoffs.
Taking action is easy. Simply click the “Take Action” button to submit the pre-written message as is or customize it with personal information on how this issue impacts you and your company. If you would like to forward the alert to colleagues and friends, please wait for the instructions that will be included in the confirmation email after you take action.
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Winning Management Commitment Webinar - August 4
BWC is hosting a webinar titled Winning Management Commitment on Tuesday, August 4 (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.). The webinar will address methods to garner increased support for safety and human resource professionals from upper management.
This webinar will be instructed by Mona Weiss, who is an OSHA authorized construction outreach trainer and safety consultant in BWC’s Dayton Service Office.
For additional information, including registration instructions, click here.
For more information or assistance when registering, contact BWC’s Kaylee Blevings at [email protected]
ODOT Increases Efforts to Enforce Speed Limits in Construction Zones
ODOT is actively working with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) to reestablish a Major Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program. As part of this program, ODOT annually works to identify major work zones throughout the state and partners with ODPS to identify ways to increase enforcement. Traditionally, 10 to 15 Work Zones have been identified. Additionally, ODOT along with ODPS are in the final planning stages of a pilot program for Aerial Speed Limit Enforcement in Work Zones. It is anticipated that a minimum of 10 Work Zones will be part of this pilot program.
Contractors know that at times it can be difficult to secure Law Enforcement Officers for Assistance. In addition to working with ODPS, the ODOT Division of Engineering has been in discussions with the Buckeye Sheriffs’ Association and Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police to develop partnerships that could result in more consistent and reliable assistance from Law Enforcement Officers. In the near future, ODOT will be reaching out the construction industry to get our feedback and ideas.
AGC Education and Research Foundation Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship is Now Open
Deadline to Apply is November 1, 2020
Each year the AGC Education and Research Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE accredited construction management or construction related engineering programs. The application opened July 1, 2020 and closes November 1, 2020.
Over $10 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 4,000 students attending colleges and universities across the country. Through endowments made by AGC members and supporters, as well as AGC Chapters, the Education and Research Foundation awards over 100 scholarships each year to students dedicated to pursuing a career in the construction industry.
Students can click here to apply.
If you have any questions, please contact Courtney D. Bishop, Associate Director, AGC Education and Research Foundation, [email protected].
Big Changes Coming to Curb Ramps
With the July Standards Update, ODOT has made significant changes to how they design, construct, inspect and document curb ramps. Some of these changes include but are not limited to:
1. Additional dimensioning being provided in the plans;
2. A waiver documentation process for curb ramps that can’t practicably be built to ADA standards. This waiver can be initiated either in design or in construction. A construction waiver would only be considered when a curb ramp is believed to be constructible to standards in design but unexpected field conditions make it otherwise not possible. All waivers (design or construction) must be approved by the District Design Engineer.
3. Approved waivers coming out of design will be noted on the plan cover sheet.
4. All completed curb ramps must either meet ADA standards or have an approved waiver. Any curb ramps that do not meet standard that could have practicably been built to standard (i.e. no approved waiver) will be required to be removed and rebuilt to standard.
5. Construction stop/check points have been created for curb ramps.
6. Training videos are being created.
7. Several ODOT curb ramp dimensional standards have been slightly modified to exceed ADA requirements in order to provide a tolerance for construction. Curb ramps that are built within the tolerances will meet ADA requirements will not require a waiver.
ODOT will be hosting a webinar to go over the curb ramp changes on August 20th from 1-2:30pm. We encourage anybody involved in the design, construction or inspection of curb ramps to attend this webinar. This webinar will be through LTAP and registration information has not been released yet. OCA will notify you as soon as the information becomes available.
Unemployment Claims Webinar – August 20
Free for OCA Group Rating Program Participants
One additional benefit of participating in OCA’s group rating program for workers compensation insurance is being able to take advantage of free training opportunities offered by our group TPA, CompManagement/Sedgwick.
On August 20, 2020, from 2:00 -3:00 p.m. CompManagement/Sedgwick will conduct a free webinar designed to help employers properly handle unemployment claims. You will learn helpful tips on using your employee policies and documentation to have the best chance of prevailing in unemployment claims. This program will be particularly helpful considering the uptick in unemployment claims triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If your company participates in OCA’s Group Rating Program for workers comp, or if your company utilizes CompManagement as a TPA for workers compensation, please click here to register for the free webinar.
Chapter Updates
The OCA Columbus Chapter Golf Outing was held recently at Bent Tree Golf Club. A great day was had with a full course and we appreciate those who supported the event by golfing and sponsoring!
Several contest winners were awarded with longest drive going to Joe Scott (hole 6) and Jason Pastoria (hole 10). Closest to the Pin went to Ed Beach (hole 7) and Camillus Musselman (hole 13).
Congratulations to the first-place team from State Highway Supply: Jason Auck, Terry Lowe, Joe Scott and John Touris had a low score of 56. Coming in second place and winning in a scorecard playoff with a birdie on hole 15 was the Ferguson Waterworks group of Eric Girard, Kurt Kieninger, Keith Strahler and Pat Wilfing.
Other winners of the day included Dave Guzzo (Double Z Construction) who won the drawing for a kayak and Taylor Dunifon (Rudd Equipment) who won the drawing for a Callaway Mavrik driver. Proceeds from the drawing benefit the chapter’s scholarship fund. Rounding up the special prize winners was Brent Poston (George J. Igel & Company, Inc.) who won a bottle of Boone County Bourbon, sponsored by Surety Bonds, Inc.
In addition to a great day of golf, $1,800 was raised for the OCA Columbus Chapter Scholarship fund.
We give a special thank you to our event sponsors including:
Beverage Cart Sponsors:
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co. Inc.
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers/Iron Planet
Lunch Sponsor:
Bobcat Enterprises
Bar Sponsor:
Hole Sponsors:
Anderson Concrete Corp.
Bobcat Enterprises
BodinePerry, LLC
Buckeye Ready-Mix, LLC
CNA Surety Corporation
Columbus Equipment Co.
Ferguson Waterworks
Griffin Pavement Striping, Inc.
Hydro-Technologies, Inc.
Leavitt Group Midwest
Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co. Inc.
National Lime & Stone Co.
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Norwalk Concrete Industries
Ohio CAT
Paul Peterson Company
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers /Iron Planet
Rudd Equipment Company
Shelly & Sands, Inc.
State Highway Supply, Inc.
Surety Bonds, Inc.
The Shelly Co.
Worldwide Rental Services
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Tuesday, August 11, 2020
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM |
Join us for a presentation by FMI, the leading management consulting and investment banking firm dedicated exclusively to engineering and construction, infrastructure and the built environment, for an update on where the industry is heading amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. By now, the operating plan and budget you opened the year with have been scrapped. The top of this business cycle, the longest expansion in U.S. history, vanished over a weekend in early March. 120 days on, the global economy is in steep decline and dragging the built environment down with it. But while the broader economy seeks its bottom, industry leaders and managers must find their footing now and lead forward.
If you're anyone in the industry that has to look ahead to make decisions or the construction industry is one of your primary sales markets, this forecast will benefit you and your planning for 2020 and beyond.
Jay Bowman is a principal with FMI. Jay assists a broad range of stakeholders in the construction industry, from program managers and general contractors to specialty trades and materials producers, with the identification and assessment of the risks influencing the strategic and tactical decisions they face.
REGISTER now and join us for this live webinar on Tuesday, 8/11. You'll have the opportunity to submit questions during the session and view a recording post session.
Learn more about FMI Corporation and their past ‘Outlooks’ here:
https://www.fminet.com/
https://www.fminet.com/industry-outlooks/
Not able to attend the live event? Register anyway and we’ll send you a recorded webinar link when it is available.
Register Now
In lieu of refreshments we would have at our in-person event, we will be making donations to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.
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ODOT Offers Work Type 26 - eLearning Course (Online) and Testing Sessions (Columbus, Ohio) - August 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is currently not feasible to conduct instructor-led sessions of the Work Type 26 Structural Steel Painting Class, which previously has been scheduled several times per year. On behalf of ODOT’s Division of Construction Management, please note that the following two-step option is now available.
1. Work Type 26 eLearning Course (Online) – Click here for details on how to access the online training (3 modules).
2. Work Type 26 Testing (Columbus, Ohio) – Click here for details. Successful completion of the online training is required in order to proceed with Work Type 26 Testing.
Persons who successfully complete the Work Type 26 eLearning Course can proceed with registering for Work Type 26 Testing. Registration is now open for the following sessions.
• August 11 – Morning » Click here to register.
• August 11 – Afternoon » Click here to register.
• August 25 – Morning » Click here to register.
• August 25 – Afternoon » Click here to register.
Pre-registration is required for Work Type 26 Testing. Seating capacity is limited for each session, based on social distancing requirements due to COVID-19.
Please review the important updates and new safety protocols for testing as described per the links above.
Looking ahead, additional sessions of Work Type 26 Testing (for Fall 2020) will be announced in several weeks.
Questions about Work Type 26 can be directed to: David Flood – [email protected] or Tina Collins – [email protected], with ODOT’s Division of Construction Management.
Worksite Traffic Supervisor (WTS) Prequalification Testing
On behalf of ODOT’s Division of Construction Management and Office of Roadway Engineering, the following additional sessions of Worksite Traffic Supervisor (WTS) Prequalification Testing are now open for registration:
• August 18 – Morning » Click here to register.
• August 18 – Afternoon » Click here to register.
• September 1 – Morning » Click here to register.
• September 1 – Afternoon » Click here to register.
Click here to access the PDF flyer with recent updates.
Prerequisites – Do not register for WTS Prequalification testing until the prerequisites have been completed. Please see the online registration form and flyer for details.
Pre-registration is required for WTS Testing. Due to social distancing requirements per COVID-19, seating capacity is limited for each session.
Please review the important updates and new safety protocols as described per the links above.
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I Build America - OHIO
We are looking for some feature stories of employees that could motivate others to join our industry. In particular, we are looking for those who might fit the following examples:
• Young people
• Veterans
• Re-entry (previously incarcerated)
• Changed from a different industry
If you have someone in mind, please reach out to (Claire Krawsczyn) at [email protected] with information. If you would like, you can also get in touch with David Rule at [email protected] or Chris Runyan at [email protected].
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Quick Links to On-line OCA Resources
• Current Ohio Contractor Magazine
• Safety Resources
• Labor & Employment Information
• OCA President's Commentary
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