Advocacy Update | September 2023
It may be hard to believe, but we are in fall right now. Summer vacations are ending as we get ready for back-to-school nights and football season. This will be true for our chapter too as our classrooms begin to fill up with apprentices again soon. In a way, fall resets a clock for the coming year.
2023 STEP Verified Participants
Congratulations to the 2023 STEP Verified Participants!
A LOOK INTO THE SHOP| September 2023
September is Suicide Prevention month. It’s a topic that we all generally avoid due to the uncomfortable nature of the matter. But suicide is a real threat to our industry and therefore deserves its time in the spotlight.
According to statistics released by the CDC, construction ranks amongst the top for all industries as it relates to suicide. It’s a staggering number that is 4 times higher than the suicide rate of the general population; 45 suicides per 100,000 workers annually; 15 suicides per day. The annual number of construction industry suicides exceeds the work-related deaths fivefold. This is truly a crisis in our industry that we need to STAND UP and address.
WELCOME BACK! | September 2023
September is Suicide Prevention month. It’s a topic that we all generally avoid due to the uncomfortable nature of the matter. But suicide is a real threat to our industry and therefore deserves its time in the spotlight.
According to statistics released by the CDC, construction ranks amongst the top for all industries as it relates to suicide. It’s a staggering number that is 4 times higher than the suicide rate of the general population; 45 suicides per 100,000 workers annually; 15 suicides per day. The annual number of construction industry suicides exceeds the work-related deaths fivefold. This is truly a crisis in our industry that we need to STAND UP and address.
“IT CAN’T HAPPEN TO ME OR MY LOVED ONES.” | September 2023
September is Suicide Prevention month. It’s a topic that we all generally avoid due to the uncomfortable nature of the matter. But suicide is a real threat to our industry and therefore deserves its time in the spotlight.
According to statistics released by the CDC, construction ranks amongst the top for all industries as it relates to suicide. It’s a staggering number that is 4 times higher than the suicide rate of the general population; 45 suicides per 100,000 workers annually; 15 suicides per day. The annual number of construction industry suicides exceeds the work-related deaths fivefold. This is truly a crisis in our industry that we need to STAND UP and address.
STAND UP FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION | September 2023
September is Suicide Prevention month. It’s a topic that we all generally avoid due to the uncomfortable nature of the matter. But suicide is a real threat to our industry and therefore deserves its time in the spotlight.
According to statistics released by the CDC, construction ranks amongst the top for all industries as it relates to suicide. It’s a staggering number that is 4 times higher than the suicide rate of the general population; 45 suicides per 100,000 workers annually; 15 suicides per day. The annual number of construction industry suicides exceeds the work-related deaths fivefold. This is truly a crisis in our industry that we need to STAND UP and address.
Infection Control Risk Management (ICRA) 16-Hour Certificate Course
Day 1 of this course explains the importance of construction-specific infection controls and Best Management Practices for use in health care settings. Day 2 covers the techniques for constructing hard-wall barriers for the highest risk projects. This extensive hands-on exercise allows participants to construct a containment using drywall and metal framing, just as required in most health care facilities.
The student must pass a 50-question multiple choice quiz with a 70% or better score.
Upon successful completion, each student will receive a signed certificate of attendance, photo ID wallet card, and hard hat sticker.
Mid-Year Update on ABC Keystone
Back in February, I wrote about the growing trend for RCOs (Responsible Contractor Ordinances) that are popping up in municipalities throughout the Central PA region. Though potentially damaging to those municipalities, they have been isolated to date. ABC Keystone continues to track these isolated incidents and respond accordingly by attending public meetings and providing suggested modifications to the RCOs to make it fair for local trades to compete on public works projects in their communities. Our voices are being heard and we will continue to push back against the unfair and unjustifiable requirements…
RCOS 2.0
Back in February, I wrote about the growing trend for RCOs (Responsible Contractor Ordinances) that are popping up in municipalities throughout the Central PA region. Though potentially damaging to those municipalities, they have been isolated to date. ABC Keystone continues to track these isolated incidents and respond accordingly by attending public meetings and providing suggested modifications to the RCOs to make it fair for local trades to compete on public works projects in their communities. Our voices are being heard and we will continue to push back against the unfair and unjustifiable requirements…
ASHE Health Care Construction Workshop
January 23 & 24, 2024 | Valid for 17.5 CECs (equivalent to 17.5 contact hours) – 12.5 CECs for the 2-day HCC Workshop; 5 CECs for the HCC e-Learning perquisite
Latest Rulings, Compliance Issues in Health Care Construction | Interactive, high-quality, in-person instruction providing you dynamic exchanges with instructors and attendees | Share best practices, engage in situational discussions to gain clarification and real-world examples | Learn directly from ASHE instructors and participate in question and answer sessions to enhance your understanding
Validate your knowledge of working in a health care environment! Completely updated to include the latest ruling from CMS, the Health Care Construction Workshop combines an e-learning course and a two-day seminar. The program offers education with a comprehensive risk management approach to critical topics in health care construction, including: the health care planning, design, and construction process; Life Safety Code® compliance; construction risk assessment (including general risks and a special focus on infection risks); mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems (MEP); medical gas systems; medical technology; and project expectations. You will gain an understanding of the latest compliance issues in health care construction, and learn what owners, staff, and patients expect of constructors working in the health care environment. This training is required by most health care systems to work on site!
Take Time to Recharge
On Thursday, May 25, 98 apprentices will graduate from the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship program, marking a milestone in each one of their careers. Graduates will be representing 42 different companies across seven various trade programs (carpentry, construction craft laborer, electrical, heavy equipment operator, HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal). What an extraordinary achievement for each of these individuals! Reaching this milestone doesn’t happen without hard work, dedication, drive, and commitment to their trade.
Message from the Chair: ABC’s Commitment to Training Tomorrow’s Workforce
On Thursday, May 25, 98 apprentices will graduate from the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship program, marking a milestone in each one of their careers. Graduates will be representing 42 different companies across seven various trade programs (carpentry, construction craft laborer, electrical, heavy equipment operator, HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal). What an extraordinary achievement for each of these individuals! Reaching this milestone doesn’t happen without hard work, dedication, drive, and commitment to their trade.
