KBS is joining with the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) in partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging construction workers to get their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are able. As part of the campaign, AGC is distributing educational materials about the vaccine, as well as a new industry public service announcement urging construction workers to get their shots.
To allow staff greater flexibility in getting the vaccine, KBS is allowing hourly and salaried staff up to two hours paid leave while getting the COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, employees who are vaccinated will be eligible to participate in a drawing for one of four $100 gift cards. These incentives are offered in addition KBS’s preventative strategies as part of our overall COVID-19 management plan designed to keep our construction workers safe.
“Throughout the pandemic, KBS has been working diligently to minimize the risk of infection on our construction sites and raising awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine among our construction workers is an important tool among these preventative strategies,” said John Gillenwater, vice president of business development.
Under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health, the COVID-19 vaccination is currently being allocated to construction workers and additional essential workers in Phase 1c. This phase identifies construction workers as among those who are in sectors essential to the functioning of society and/or are at higher risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
“Construction workers have long looked after the welfare of their colleagues, reminding them to stay safe, wear the right gear and be aware of their surroundings,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the AGC’s chief executive officer. “Getting their shot is another way that workers can protect their colleagues, as well as their loved ones and community members.”
AGC is also partnering with the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to host a vaccination education webinar for the industry. During the webinar, CDC medical experts will provide information on the current COVID-19 vaccines, the rollout of vaccines to construction workers and answer questions.
“The construction industry showed America how to work safely during the early days of the pandemic. And now we are going to show America how important it is to get their vaccines as soon as they can,” added Sandherr.
