President's Report

Sincerely,

Tina Thompson

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CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

We’re proud to share that as of February 6th, the NAWIC Greater Birmingham Chapter has grown to 72 members representing 57 different companies!

If you or someone you know is interested in joining our dynamic chapter, please register using the link below. We’d love to welcome you to our community!

                      JOIN NAWIC

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MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING

Thanks to our January Speaker Stephen Garrett Jr.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Stephen Garrett Jr. for taking the time to join us at our January 8th meeting to speak on finances. 

Our attendees posed thoughtful questions, and Stephen provided valuable insights that helped us all gain a better understanding of finances and a little about what to expect in 2025.

Thank you again, Stephen, for your continued support of NAWIC Greater Birmingham.

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WIC Week

2025 WIC Week Calendar at a Snapshot

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Membership Committee

Embracing our theme of Connection, we provide multiple opportunities each month for members to engage, network, and build lasting relationships.

Join us for our monthly After-Hours Networking and Lunch and Connect events, open to both members and non-members, offering a welcoming space for women in the industry to connect in a relaxed setting. Be sure to check our website regularly for the latest details on these events.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming opportunities to connect:

• February After-Hours: The Southern Kitchen on the 18th
• February Lunch and Connect: Ladybird Taco's Mountain Brook on the 28th

We look forward to seeing you there!

Another GREAT way to connect is by joining a committee

As women in construction, we understand the importance of connections in growing our membership and ourselves. Despite our busy schedules, making time for these connections is crucial. Joining a committee is a fantastic way to make a small commitment while building valuable relationships within the industry.

Why Join a Committee?

• Networking: Meet and connect with other professionals in the industry.
• Skill Development: Gain new skills and experiences.
• Contribution: Make a meaningful impact on our organization and industry.

Opportunities Available Interested in joining a committee, reach out to a board member or myself for more information.

Let’s make the most of our time and grow together through these valuable connections!

Another way to STAY CONNECTED is by making sure you are a part of our Members-Only GroupMe Chat Group. 

Here is the link if you'd like to join, simply click on the following link: BHM GroupMe

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Chaplain/Friendship Committee

Our 2024-25 NAWIC PALS program is underway, and the ladies seem to be having and amazing time. 

Can't wait to see what the rest of the year holds for our NAWIC Pals. The love support and encouragement will be amazing, I am sure. 

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Legislative Industry Issues Committee

The wait is over! OSHA has just finalized a new rule on personal protective equipment (PPE) that promises to enhance worker safety in the construction industry. Published on December 12 and set to take effect on January 13, 2025, this rule requires that employers take an inclusive approach to PPE to ensure it "properly fits" their workforce.

What changed?

The new OSHA rule on personal protective equipment (PPE) for construction introduces several key changes from the previous regulation including:

• Proper fit requirement: PPE must now be properly fitted to each individual worker, ensuring maximum protection and addressing issues with ill-fitting equipment not designed to be inclusive of all body types.
• Alignment with other standards: The construction PPE standard (29 CFR 1926.95) has been updated to align with OSHA's standards for general industry and maritime, creating a consistent approach across sectors.
• Clarification of employer responsibilities: Employers are now clearly required to provide and maintain properly fitting PPE, ensuring it is suitable for the specific hazards in the workplace. Specifically, the rule revises 29 CFR 1926.95(c) to state that:
• PPE must be of safe design and construction for the work performed.
• PPE must be selected to properly fit each affected employee.
• Employers must ensure both requirements in (c)(1) and (c)(2) are met.

What are the next steps for employers?

You might be wondering, "What do I need to do to ensure I'm compliant with the new rule?" By following these steps, you'll not only meet OSHA's requirements but also enhance the safety and well-being of your team:

• Assess current PPE: Review existing PPE to ensure it meets the new fit requirements. Identify any equipment that does not properly fit workers and needs replacement.
• Update PPE inventory: Purchase PPE that is available in a range of sizes to accommodate all workers and ensure that it is of safe design and construction for the tasks performed.
• Train employees: Conduct training sessions to educate workers on the importance of properly fitting PPE and how to check if their equipment fits correctly.
• Implement fit tryouts: Establish a process for testing or trying out PPE to ensure it properly fits each worker. This may involve trying on different sizes and styles to find the best fit.
• Document compliance: Keep records of PPE assessments, purchases, training sessions, and fit testing to demonstrate compliance with the new rule.
• Monitor and maintain: Regularly check the condition of PPE and replace any that is worn out or no longer fits properly and make adjustments as needed.

Why does proper fit matter?

Properly fitting PPE is crucial for keeping workers safe. If it doesn't fit right, it can leave workers exposed to dangers or even create new hazards. Here's why fit matters for different types of PPE:

• Head and face: Ill-fitting hard hats, face shields, welding helmets and safety glasses/goggles can feel bulky and unbalanced. They cause pinch points, headaches, and neck and shoulder strain and may also create gaps in coverage, allowing debris to enter the eyes. This can lead to worker distraction, loss of productivity, and removal of PPE altogether.
• Torso: Oversized FR/AR clothing, welding coat, or Tyvek suit may “drown” the worker in excess material, which creates new hazards such as loose clothing getting caught in machinery or overheating in warmer conditions.
• Hands: Gloves that are too large for the wearer can cause a loss of dexterity. If the gloves are too small, they may cause undue pressure on the hands and increased perspiration, which can lead to fatigue and related injuries.
• Feet: Poorly fitting footwear can lead to repetitive strain injury, poor posture, plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, and flat feet. Over time, workers can develop secondary injuries to the knees, hips, and spine. They can also introduce slip, trip and fall hazards that would otherwise not be an issue with properly fitting safety shoes or boots.

Ensuring a proper fit means taking each worker's unique needs into account, which helps prevent these issues and keeps everyone safe and productive.

Key to remember OSHA's new PPE rule for construction takes effect on January 13, 2025. Now is the time to update your programs and training to ensure the proper fit of PPE for your workers, ensuring compliance and enhancing workforce safety.

US Department of Labor to cease and desist all investigative and enforcement activity under rescinded Executive Order 11246

01/24/2025 07:00 AM EST

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Vince Micone today transmitted Secretary’s Order 03-2025 to all department employees, directing them to cease and desist all investigative and enforcement activity under the rescinded Executive Order 11246 and the regulations promulgated under it.  The order applies to all department employees, including the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Office of Administrative Law Judges and the Administrative Review Board. The department no longer has any authority under the rescinded Executive Order 11246 or its regulations.  Read Secretary’s Order 03-2025

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp

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Calendar

Locations of After Hours and Lunch and Connect are subject to change: 

Click Here for the latest information and to register for upcoming events.

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RENEWAL

For questions, please contact [email protected]. 

 How to renew your membership:

 1. Log into your portal account.
2. Click the profile icon in the top-right of the screen, then click "My Profile." 
3. Click the header labeled “Membership.”
4. Click “Renew” button on your current Membership and follow the prompts to select your Membership Type and then complete the remaining steps through checkout.

Renew today

Need additional assistance with renewal check out this link

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Scholarships

The NAWIC Founders' Scholarship Foundation (NFSF) awards over $100,000 in scholarships yearly. The award amounts range from $500 to $2,500. For questions on eligibility of the national scholarships please email [email protected].

Our chapter offers several scholarships, including one in collaboration with Brasfield & Gorrie, to Auburn University. Each applicant must meet the requirements of the individual University/College and submit the application though the schools scholarship platform. 

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Platinum Sponsors

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Be A Sponsor

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

See link below

NAWIC Gr. Birmingham Chapter 53 - Become a Sponsor (nawicbirmingham.com)

NAWIC's mission is to empower women in the construction industry and our core value is to enhance their success. A NAWIC sponsorship allows companies to annually demonstrate commitment and support of these values. NAWIC offers a variety of sponsorship opportunities to help companies communicate their message to the industry and our members.

The Gr. Birmingham Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction is looking forward to your support as we begin the next year with a strategic plan that incorporates membership growth, education, and professional development goals, through events that empower, promote, inspire and connect the women of our chapter and yet to be members in our industry. Your donation qualifies you to be a sponsor for the entire year! As we share the value of NAWIC throughout all our events, we want to let the construction industry know that you believe in the values and core mission of NAWIC. Sponsors like you allow the leadership and membership of our chapter to execute programs that introduce construction as a viable career path, promote construction trades as another alternative to a successful career choice, work with students and introduce a library of professional development strategies and tracks that ultimately escalate professional growth.

If you are a Small Business/Minority Owner Business, you will received 10% off the sponsorship package of your choosing. Sponsorships run October 1st through September 30th each year (NAWIC fiscal year). Disclaimer: These sponsorships only include items listed. It does not include dues, etc.

Events

Networking | Community Service Projects | Scholarships | Block Kids (K – 6th) | Professional Speakers

*Women in Construction (WIC) Week

**Annual TopGolf Sponsorship forms will be separate

Annual Sponsorship Opportunities

   Sponsorships run October 1^st through September 30^th each year (NAWIC fiscal year)

Platinum Sponsor $2,000.00

·         Logo displayed on website for full year with link re-direct to your company website

·         Logo displayed at all monthly membership meetings

·         Recognition on 12 monthly newsletters

·         Monthly social media recognition

·         Recognition at Empowered Small Group Coffee & Connect events

·         Recognition during WIC Week* events virtually and in-person

Gold Sponsor $1,500.00

·         Logo on website for full year with link re-direct to your company website for ½ of the year

·         Logo displayed bi-monthly at membership meetings

·         Recognition in 7 monthly newsletters

·         Bi-monthly social media recognition

·         Recognition during WIC Week* events virtually and in-person

Silver Sponsor $1,000.00

·         Logo on website for full year

·         Logo displayed at bi-monthly membership meetings

·         Recognition in 5 monthly newsletters

·         Recognition during WIC Week* in-person event

Bronze Sponsor $750.00

·         Logo on website for full year

·         Name and Logo displayed at board meetings

·         Recognition in 2 monthly newsletters

·         Recognition during WIC Week*

Lunch Sponsor $500.00

·         Logo next to Food/Drink table

·         Company swag accepted to provide attendees

·         15 minute speaking opportunity to showcase your organization and the benefits it brings to the construction industry

·         Acknowledgment on monthly email following the event 

Committee Donation

·         Committee Specific Donation

o    Block Kids

o    WIC Week

o    Community Service (Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Habitat for Humanity, She Builds, food collection during holidays, etc.)

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