WASHINGTON - March 30, 2020 - Late Saturday, the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released Version 2.0 of the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response (Guidance). The Guidance makes it clear that construction activities are included in its list of essential critical infrastructure workers. While not a federal directive, this recognition is critical to encouraging and supporting state and local jurisdictional determinations.
President of the National Demolition Association, Chris Godek, stated, "Construction, demolition and remediation is vital to the health and safety of all Americans, including decontamination of affected areas, remediation of environmental hazards or contaminated property to ensure vital services remain open. We are pleased DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) considered our advice and released new guidance listing construction as essential. We urge all companies to assess the safety and wellbeing of their employees and crews on each project and consult state guidelines."
NDA, as well as many members via our customizable letter, strongly urged CISA to recognize construction as essential critical infrastructure in communications with CISA on March 23. In addition, we sent a letter to the Trump Administration on March 20.
CISA has stated it will continually solicit and accept feedback on the Guidance and update it as necessary. NDA previously contacted all 50 governors urging them to designate construction, demolition and remediation as essential to critical infrastructure and will continue to advocate on behalf of the industry.
NDA will be sending a letter to the National Governors Association this week to reiterate 'essential service' designation.
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About the National Demolition Association
The National Demolition Association (NDA) is a non-profit trade organization representing approximately 500 U.S. and Canadian companies and many international firms that are involved in the demolition process. Membership includes demolition contractors, general contractors, civil engineering abreast of environmental, regulatory and safety matters, keep regulators informed about issues facing the industry, increase public and industry awareness, and provide members with networking opportunities and information on the latest technical advances in equipment and services.
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Jayne Corso
