Coronavirus Coverage

US Supreme Court Halts COVID-19 Vaccine Rule for Businesses, ABC Applauds

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 15:30:00 -0500

Associated Builders and Contractors applauded the U.S. Supreme Court for reinstating the stay on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, which applies to employers with 100 or more employees.

Case Studies in Cleaning, Disinfection, Health and Safety With Dr. Gene Cole

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 09:15:00 -0500

Dr. Gene Cole shares stories that stick with him regarding the health and safety of restoration contractors and their customers. He also offers COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection tips in the face of the Omicron variant.

Healthy Buildings America Conference Transitions to a Live Virtual Format

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0500

To protect the health and safety of attendees, the Jan. 18-20 Healthy Buildings Conference will take place in a live, virtual format. More than 200 presentations and workshops will be featured on "Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice — In the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond.”

ABC Appeals OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS Argument to the Supreme Court

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 16:00:00 -0500

“ABC is deeply disappointed that the 6th Circuit Court lifted the 5th Circuit’s stay of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, which applies to employers with 100 or more employees," said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs.

Global Biorisk Advisory Council Introduces New GBAC Academy Training Course to Reinforce Infectious Disease Awareness for Business Professionals

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 11:20:00 -0500

The 30-minute online course provides an overview of the chain of infection and how to break it through effective cleaning and disinfection practices, indoor air quality considerations, and other key mitigation strategies.

ABC Wins Key Nationwide Challenge Against Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 15:45:00 -0500

Associated Builders and Contractors applauded a federal court for granting a nationwide preliminary injunction order against the federal contractor vaccine mandate. The ruling came from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Real Stories: Honing Your Strengths With Nasutsa Mabwa

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500

In this Real Stories in Restoration episode, Nasutsa Mabwa, owner and president of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, shares her unique voyage from social work to restoration, being selective with service offerings, and keeping her business small and agile to stay closely connected to customers.

US Department of Labor Extends Comment Period for COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing Emergency Temporary Standard

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard to Jan. 19, 2022. OSHA extended the comment period by 45 days to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment.

SBA Announces Updated Guidance Regarding Applicant Deadlines for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Small Business Administration strongly encourages submission of supplemental advance applications by December 10. All applications are due by December 31.

ABC Challenges Federal Contractor COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate in Georgia and Texas

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0500

ABC and its chapters in Georgia and Texas announced filings in support of pending suits by multiple states challenging President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for federal contractors. ABC contends the unprecedented executive order exceeds the administration’s authority and is likely to increase costs and undermine economy and efficiency in federal contracting.

ABC Seeks to Overturn OSHA COVID Vaccination and Testing ETS

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 09:52:00 -0500

Associated Builders and Contractors, and its Alabama chapter, have filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 11th Circuit against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for its COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard, which applies to employers with 100 or more employees.

Selling Disaster Restoration Services to the Healthcare Industry

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Since Hurricane Sandy pummeled New York City in 2012, new and more stringent emergency management programs and compliance requirements have been implemented for healthcare systems. With the new mandates, plus the advent of COVID-19, cross contamination prevention and disinfection is more critical than it has ever been in the medical arena.

OSHA Issues COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, ABC Responds

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 12:00:00 -0400

On Nov. 4, 2021, OSHA issued its COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard, which applies to employers with 100 or more employees as required by President Biden’s Path Out of the Pandemic COVID-19 Action Plan. In response, Associated Builders and Contractors released the enclosed statement.

Opportunities in Healthcare and Commercial for Restoration Contractors

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Insights on infectious disease and cross-contamination control for restoration and remediation contractors – from how to gain more business in this space, to tips on disinfection and decontamination services, to mitigating exposure risks.

A Hands-On Infection Prevention Strategy: Criteria for Selecting the Ideal Disinfectant

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0400

J. Darrel Hicks, author of Infection Prevention for Dummies, defines “cleaning” versus “disinfecting” versus “sanitary.” He also shares two basic principles of cleaning and shares four criteria for selecting disinfectants from the EPA’s List N, including six products on the list that he found meet those criteria.

Healthy Buildings America 2021 Conference Sneak Peek

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -0400

John Downey, executive director of CIRI, previews Healthy Buildings America 2021, taking place in Honolulu. The event was postponed to January 18-20, 2022 due to COVID-19-related restrictions in Hawaii.

Leading Your Property Restoration Business in a Post-Pandemic World

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Now, more than ever, it’s a “buyer’s market” for labor with workers having the power to choose the organization, culture and job opportunity they want to “buy.” Your task is to be sure that your business entices the right employees to want to buy it over others.

ABC Shares Concerns Around OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:00:00 -0400

"The COVID-19 pandemic has already created and accelerated a host of challenges for the construction industry, including a skilled workforce shortage, rising material costs, supply chain disruptions, jobsite shut-downs, additional health and safety protocols and new government regulations. The forthcoming ETS only adds to this long list of concerns," the statement read.

Healthy Buildings America 2021 Event Preview

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 09:15:00 -0400

John Downey, executive director of CIRI, joins us to talk Healthy Buildings America 2021. The theme of this year’s conference, scheduled for Jan. 18-20, 2022, is “Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice – In the Age of COVID-19 and Beyond.”

OSHA Issues Updated Guidance on Protecting Unvaccinated and Other At-Risk Workers From the Coronavirus

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0400

The updated guidance expands information on appropriate measures for protecting workers in higher-risk workplaces with mixed-vaccination status workers, particularly for industries where there is often prolonged close contact with other workers and/or non-workers.

Your Risks and Insurance: A Year in Review

dybdahl@armr.net (David J. Dybdahl) — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400

It’s been a wild ride in the restoration and insurance business for the past year. Here David Dybdahl recaps the past 12 months, including the actual versus perceived risks of COVID-19.

7 Areas Restoration Companies Can Reduce or Eliminate Waste

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 15:15:00 -0400

If restorers don’t embrace some of the same cost-saving measures as the service industry post-pandemic, they may find themselves taking a back seat to national conglomerates and franchise groups that are already moving in this direction.

State of the Restoration Industry in 2021

blevinsm@bnpmedia.com (Michelle Blevins) — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0400

While this article is just a snapshot of the data captured in R&R’s 2021 State of the Industry study, the trends largely continue to be the same. In addition to biggest challenges, third party administrators, spending habits and future predictions, this year we explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on restoration companies.

Are Masks Really PPE?

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400

By now, everyone is either resigned to them or tired of them. The “them” is filtering facepieces, masks, scarves, neck gaiters, respirators, and other face coverings.

Is Surface Cleaning Still Necessary in an Effective COVID-19 Control Plan?

Mon, 10 May 2021 08:01:00 -0400

By taking cleaning and disinfection seriously, it helps enable employees and visitors to feel safer while also reinforcing the seriousness with which the organization addresses the health and well-being of all occupants.

Working with Community Associations during a Pandemic

blevinsm@bnpmedia.com (Michelle Blevins) — Mon, 03 May 2021 12:58:00 -0400

Last year, Paul Davis of Greater St. Paul and Minneapolis worked on a major fire damage restoration project for a senior living (age 55+) condominium association community. In addition to the regular challenges of a large loss fire job – from mitigation through reconstruction - the project presented additional difficulties posed by COVID-19, as the residents were considered high risk.

Newark Public Schools to Install 4,500+ Odorox Air and Surface Sanitation Systems to Help Students and Faculty Return to the Classroom Safely

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:27:31 -0400

Powered by PYURE Technology, and proven to kill the COVID-19 virus, Odorox machines will operate in the district’s PK-12 classrooms, offices and high-traffic areas.

CIRI White Paper Presents New Research on the Importance of Health-Based Cleaning and Disinfection

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 10:40:00 -0400

Authored by academic researchers on CIRI’s Science Advisory Council, this complimentary resource provides a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of how microbials behave on hard surfaces and the subsequent ability to infect people.

CIRI to Examine Cleaning for Health Research in New Webinar Series

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 13:42:16 -0400

Beginning April 15, CIRI will launch its three-part webinar series, “Aerosols, Fomites and Indoor Air Quality: What Research Says About the Impact of Cleaning on Health.”

Lessons from COVID-19 | A Panel Discussion

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:54:00 -0400

This panel of restorers and cleaning experts will discuss what they learned during this pandemic, and how they’ll harness those lessons in their companies moving into our new “normal”.