Contact: data@mbaks.com

The construction sector in Washington showed significant growth, with an increase of 5200 jobs between April 2022 and April 2023. The total employment in construction statewide reached 236,800, underscoring the industry's importance and contribution to the state's economy. Unemployment overall has remained low, with a rate of 3% in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area.

Read the full June Builders Bulletin:

Cybersecurity can be a scary subject. We get it. It’s daunting and something you just want to ignore in hopes that nothing bad will happen to you.

Sorry friend, this subject is all TOO real to ignore. But we’re here. We got you.

We want to give you the knowledge to protect yourself from phishing attacks, ransomware, and other online scams. So here we go! But to start, a chilling reminder of our recent past:

• June 2018, MyHeritage—more than 92 million email addresses and HyHeritage account passwords were compromised.
• April 2018, The Facebook data breach—this was one of the largest misuses of personal data in history! In fact, just last month, Facebook revealed that 15 MILLION people had their personal info accessed by hackers.
• March 2018, Under Armour’s MyFitnessPal App—an “unauthorized party” gained access to 150 million user names, emails, and encrypted passwords from users of the fitness tracking app.
• July 2017, Equifax data breach—a quick calculation tells us that the 143 million potentially affected makes up a full 44 percent of the country’s total adult population.
• May 2017, WannaCry ransomware attack—this attack will go down in the books as one of the most successful malware campaigns in history.

So yeah, now more than ever you need to be educating yourself about how preventive cybersecurity strategies can keep you safe in a digital world of malicious criminals and hackers.

Cybersecurity awareness tips

1. Enable two-factor authentication
   1. This will make it harder for someone to access any of your accounts.
   2. This added layer of security can make a big impact.
2. Check a website’s SSL Certificate before using
   1. This will ensure the website is safe to use.
   2. Beware—hackers can copy a safe site if you click on a malware link. For example, links found in phishing emails.
3. Never save credit card information online
   1. This is a great basic tip to keep your bank account information secure.
   2. If that site is ever compromised, your card information will be, too.
4. Up your password game
   1. Think of a long password (10+ characters). Using a sentence instead of random letters is much more efficient. For example: eattacosonthe9th!!
   2. Never use the same password on different accounts.
   3. Never write down your passwords and store in a Word file; use password vault software instead.
5. Think twice before clicking an email link
   1. Not all links are created equal. Some seemingly safe links can wreak havoc.
   2. Phishing emails are becoming harder to detect. Look into social engineering training.

These basic tips can help you, your employees, and your business stay more protected when using your computer.

Emerald City Solutions is an information security company offering high-grade, professional IT business solutions using cutting-edge technology to help our customers modernize their business, protect valuable assets, and improve business connectivity. For more tips and tricks, check out Emerald City Solutions’ weekly blog or give them a call at 206.340.1616 to learn more about IT and cybersecurity services for your business.

Media Contact:
Nona Raybern, PR & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067
m 425.208.6308

COVID-19 Safety Toolkit Released for Construction Restart

Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties develops a safety packet with templates for builders to resume work during COVID-19 crisis

BELLEVUE, Wash—April 24, 2020—Today, Governor Jay Inslee announced a plan to immediately restart some residential construction that can be done safely. The plan is based on recommendations unanimously agreed to by a workgroup formed by the Governor, consisting of construction industry and labor leaders. Based on the Governor’s announcement and this framework, MBAKS has created a safety toolkit designed to create and maintain a safe working environment upon return to construction projects.

“We have an obligation to help our workforce and our community stay safe as residential construction restarts,” said MBAKS Executive Director Kat Sims. “We are providing this toolkit simply because the safety of everyone who returns to work in this climate carries the highest importance.”

The Phase 1 toolkit includes safety plans for job sites—including policies regarding control measures related to safe distancing, hygiene, sanitation, etc.—and plans for jobsite cleaning and disinfecting, OSHA recordkeeping, and other safety information.

The toolkit also includes English- and Spanish-language signage and posters to be posted at job sites, and identifies specific duties given to onsite supervisors or managers who will oversee the compliance of safety protocols. Guidance on weekly meetings for procedures and expectations is included in the toolkit, along with daily checklists and safety data sheets.

MBAKS has created this toolkit alongside our existing COVID-19-dedicated website, which provides resources on where businesses can find safety equipment—PPE, handwashing stations, etc.—and resources pertaining to jurisdictions and utilities.

More information on this release: mbakscovid19.org/phase-1-toolkit

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability and from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive, and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.