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COVID-19


The severe impact of COVID-19 can not be denied and is mandating changes in how we all do business. SMACNA remains committed to providing you with the information you need as you navigate the dynamic situations we all face. Stay alert on how COVID-19 is affecting our industry, your business, and you.

Paycheck Protection Program FAQs

These FAQs address the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), as recently amended by the American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021.  These FAQs are based upon the information and guidance issued by the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration as of April 6, 2021. We will continue to update these FAQs as we receive additional guidance from the SBA and the Treasury Department.    

Contracts Bulletin

Contracts Bulletin #125: COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors

On September 9, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 14042, “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.” The Executive Order requires that federal department and agency contracts include a contractual clause forcing all contractors and subcontractors to comply with COVID-19 safety guidance published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (the “Task Force”). 


COVID-19 Sep 20 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Contractors

 Collectively and quickly responding to this pandemic is the most important immediate issue we face as an industry. The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and easily implemented tool now at our disposal to battle the pandemic and return to a normal life at home and on the job. The following resources will help contractors to educate employees and encourage a healthy and vaccinated workforce.


Contractor Operations Manual Jul 28 2021

Strategic Growth Amid COVID-19

COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented need to help mitigate the spread of the disease, creating huge areas of business growth opportunity for contractors. Properly designed and operating HVAC systems can help reduce the risks associated with virus transmission, and controlling airborne exposure to the virus is one way to mitigate the spread.

Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can help reduce airborne exposures. Several areas have been identified as opportunistic by leading contractors including Indoor Air Quality, Outside Air Ventilation, Upgrades to air filtration, Fire and Life Safety, TAB work, preventative maintenance and service contracts, and Equipment replacement.  

This publication explores the areas that industry-leading contractors see as significant strategic business opportunities as a result of COVID-19. Updated July 2021

This document is free to members in the SMACNA Store.


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Contractor Operations Manual Jul 28 2021

Successfully Managing a Remote Workforce: How to Maintain Productivity and Engagement

In response to the pandemic, many contractors have decided to have their employees work remotely. While there are obvious aspects of construction that require in-person presence on a jobsite, there are many that can be done remotely. Unlike industries where remote work has been being adopted for years, construction has been considered an in-person job. That’s begun to change. Studies have produced research-based practices that managers can implement with minimal effort to improve engagement and productivity. Updated July 2021.

This document is free to members in the SMACNA Store.


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Member Update Jun 10 2021

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OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary COVID-19 Standard

This new emergency temporary standard has been put in place to protect healthcare workers from the coronavirus, while offering additional guidance to employers and workers in other industries to protect those who are still not vaccinated.


MEMBER UPDATE Jun 10 2021

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Vaccine Policies for Contractors

Many contractors have inquired about the best COVID-19 vaccination policy to adopt, what legal pitfalls might exist for mandatory versus “strongly-encouraged” policies. Learn about both your rights as an employer, employees’ rights, the role the union plays in negotiating mandated policies and OSHA guidelines in this important and timely presentation.


MEMBER UPDATE Jun 03 2021

Employers May Offer Vaccine Incentives

Updated EEOC guidelines note that EEO laws do not preclude employers from offering incentives to employees who voluntarily provide proof of a COVID vaccinations. Vaccination information must be kept confidential and remain in compliance with all federal disability laws and other protections against discrimination.


Podcast Apr 08 2021

Let's Talk Shop, Episode 15: IAQ and the Reopening of Schools, Buildings and Offices

In Episode 15 of Let’s Talk Shop, host Angie Simon, CEO, Western Allied Mechanical, chats with Tony Kocurek, SMACNA National Secretary–Treasurer and president of Energy Balance and Integration in Albuquerque, about how testing and balancing is being used to improve indoor air quality, as well as the role sheet metal contractors are playing in reopening schools, restaurants, offices and other businesses.


COVID-19 Apr 06 2021

Paycheck Protection Program FAQs by Topic

These FAQs address the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), as recently amended by the American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law by the President on March 11, 2021.  These FAQs are based upon the information and guidance issued by the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration as of April 6, 2021.  We will continue to update these FAQs as we receive additional guidance from the SBA and the Treasury Department.   


Letters and Testimony Dec 02 2020

SMACNA Encourages Congress to Ensure Small Businesses Can Deduct Eligible Expenses

In the approved CARES Act, the PPP was designed to help small businesses survive major liquidity shortfalls, retain employees, and withstand an unprecedented economic disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, IRS notice 2020-32 undermines the PPP and creates severe challenges for small businesses by stating that normally deductible business expenses will not be deductible if the business pays the expense with a PPP loan that is subsequently forgiven. SMACNA members strongly endorse efforts to reverse this misguided IRS interoperation of the CARES Act.


Letters and Testimony

SMACNA Endorses H.R. 7079, The Clean Start: Back to Work Tax Credit Act

Though Congress included funds through expanded Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to businesses, SMACNA is concerned that the countless unanticipated safety, sanitation and health protocols for construction sites and firms can burden recovery from the economic downturn created by COVID-19. This oversight would be corrected if Congress passes H.R. 7079, The Clean Start: Back to Work Tax Credit Act.


Letters and Testimony

SMACNA Urges Senate to Support Small Business Paycheck Protection Program Reform Bills

Extending the loan forgiveness period for PPP loans would allow SMACNA businesses to use PPP loan funds to buy personal protective equipment for staff, and to pay for virus mitigation measures to comply with public health guidelines. Guidance is also sought for small business protections to keep workers connected to their jobs and to ease the financial burden on small businesses with regard to changing IRS guidelines.


SMACNews

Code Inspections Amid COVID-19

For building inspectors, the novel coronavirus has made many of them rethink the way they approach building certifications, and even the way they interact with people on the jobsite.


Webcast Aug 07 2020

Pandemics and Productivity

This webcast breaks down the New Horizons Foundation report on Pandemics and Productivity in easy-to-understand pieces and explains how contractors can use the findings.


Webcast Apr 17 2020

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Staying Calm and Seizing Opportunities

Recognizing that strong, steady leadership in a time of crisis is an essential skill, SMACNA partnered with Eric Anderton, a trusted construction-industry expert and business partner to host a webcast on how you can rise to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic and seize available growth opportunities.


Contracts Bulletin Apr 17 2020

Contracts Bulletin: COVID-19: Increased Construction Costs

Many subcontractors have faced additional costs associated with performing work at jobsites during the COVID-19 outbreak. These additional COVID-19-related costs come in many forms, including extra hand-washing stations, before-shift health checks, and larger quantities of personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and goggles. Learn more about several common construction contract provisions that could allow subcontractors to recover costs incurred as a result of COVID-19.


Webcast Apr 06 2020

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Cybersecurity for a Remote Workforce

COVID-19 has forced most companies to adjust their remote work policies and reexamine their readiness against potential cybersecurity threats and breaches. Host Nick Espinosa explores a wide spectrum of topics, including threats facing contractors as they shift part or all of their staffs to remote working status, as well as trusted cybersecurity services available for businesses. 


SMACNews

Contractor Completes COVID-19 Facility in Just 21 Days

Heritage Mechanical recently completed its work on a 1,000-bed temporary hospital erected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Stony Brook University’s Long Island campus. The tent hospital project is part of an effort to increase the number of hospital beds available to treat COVID-19.


Webinar Mar 27 2020

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$2T Emergency Relief Bill Briefing

On Friday, March 27, 2020, SMACNA held a Webcast Briefing for more than 500 members and chapter executives. The presentation reviewed the $2.2 trillion relief bill as well as other measures including Families First Coronavirus Response Act.


Employee Policies

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New State COVID-19 Liability Laws

This presentation outlines the proposed “Safe to Work” Act, which imposes strict nationwide limitations on COVID-19 related tort liability.  The limitations are retroactive from December 1, 2019 and extend to October 1, 2024.


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