The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all workers in the United States (U.S.) get vaccinated against COVID-19, as soon as they are eligible, to end the pandemic and help Americans return to their normal lives. AGC of America supports the CDC’s vaccination efforts and encourages members to share important information with their staff, trade contractors, partners, and subcontractors about the benefits of vaccination and encourage them to register to get the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help all of us and the industry get back to normal.
Resources for Addressing COVID-19 in the Workplace
On January 25, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that he agency is withdrawing the vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard issued on Nov. 5, 2021, to protect unvaccinated employees of large employers with 100 or more employees from workplace exposure to coronavirus. The withdrawal became effective January 26, 2022.
Although OSHA withdrew the vaccination and testing ETS as an enforceable emergency temporary standard, the agency is not withdrawing the ETS as a proposed rule. The agency is prioritizing its resources to focus on finalizing a permanent COVID-19 Healthcare Standard. AGC continues to encourage vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace.
AGC members should conduct a risk assessment of their specific operations and develop appropriate plans accordingly to avoid any risk of enforcement under Section 5(a) of the OSH Act (General Duty Clause) as OSHA has indicated that enforcement will continue utilizing this provision.
AGC of America Resources
- COVID-19 Exposure Prevention Preparedness and Response Plan Version 4 – English | Spanish
- Strategies to Improve Workplace Vaccination Rates and Preparing for Various Mandates
- Sticking Points: What Construction Employers Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines and Flu Shots
- Vaccination Q&As for Construction Employers
- Understanding the Federal Contractor COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate
- Memo on Federal Contractor COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
- Safer Federal Workforce Task Force Website
- Federal Acquisition Regulation Council and the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force
- Letter to the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA
OSHA Resources
EEOC Resources
Vaccine Information & Resources
Vaccines.gov helps people find the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine availability at certain providers and pharmacies.
For each location, Vaccines.gov displays:
- types of COVID-19 vaccines available
- website or phone number to take the next step to get vaccinated
- hours of operation
If you are currently eligible to get vaccinated, click the Find COVID-19 Vaccines button to find a vaccination location and schedule an appointment with the specific vaccine provider or pharmacy.
Below are the Construction Advocacy Fund-financed PSA videos.
- “I didn’t think it would affect me…” -Al Vance (password: vax | 90s video, 60s video, 15s video, 6s video)
- “It’s a brotherhood, a sisterhood…” – Don Borchert (password: vax | 90s video, 60s video, 15s video, 6s video)
- “It’s got lasting effects beyond getting released from the hospital…” Scott Lestus (password: vax | 90s video, 60s video, 15s video, 6s video)
- “You don’t want to fight this…” -Terry Halloran (password: vax | 90s video, 60s video, 15s video, 6s video)
- “I’m going to do my part…” -Chris Patrick (password: vax | 2m video, 90s video, 15s video, 6s video)
- AGC-CDC Joint PSA Video
Download AGC’s toolbox talk in English or Spanish.
Below are some helpful resources from the CDC regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine Mandate Webinars
- COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19. All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the U.S. have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19, may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19, and may also protect people around you.
- COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection. While getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, experts don’t know for sure how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.
- COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
Additional information on the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine can be found at cdc.gov.
Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19:
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Pfizer-BioNTech
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Moderna
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Johnson & Johnson Janssen
The best COVID-19 vaccine is the first one that is available to you. Do not wait for a specific brand. CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another. Learn more about the different vaccines at cdc.gov.
Some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated. However, the CDC has confirmed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
In fact, millions of people in the U.S. have safely received a COVID-19 vaccine. All COVID-19 vaccines being used have gone thorough rigorous safety tests and meet the same standards as any other vaccines. The vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19 and may also keep you from getting seriously ill if you do get COVID-19. The CDC recommends you get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible.
Additional details on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines can be found at cdc.gov.
The Department of Labor (DOL) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as other federal agencies, are working diligently to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. OSHA does not wish to have any appearance of discouraging workers from receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and also does not wish to disincentivize employers’ vaccination efforts.
As a result, OSHA will not enforce 29 CFR 1904’s recording requirements to require any employers to record worker side effects from COVID-19 vaccination through May 2022. We will reevaluate the agency’s position at that time to determine the best course of action moving forward.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated guidance on this issue on December 16, 2020.
The Agency’s updated FAQs do not unequivocally state that “employers can require the vaccine.” However, it repeatedly answers questions discussing what actions employers can take in response to various circumstances after an employer has mandated the vaccine. Read More…
Kevin Cannon
Senior Director, Safety & Health Services
kevin.cannon@agc.org
Phone: (703) 837-5410
Nazia Shah
Director, Safety & Health Services
nazia.shah@agc.org
Phone: (703) 837-5409
Claiborne S. Guy
Director, Employment Policy & Practices
claiborne.guy@agc.org
Phone: (703)-837-5382
Fax: (703) 837-5401
Jordan Howard
Director, Federal and Heavy Construction Division
jordan.howard@agc.org
Phone: (703) 837-5368
Fax: (703) 837-5407