4 minute read
Dana Bergeman
Construction Adjustments in the Age of COVID-19 Personal protective equipment is taking on a whole new meaning at jobsites.
DANA BERGEMAN
Advertisement
The novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, has brought new meaning to the colloquialism “fluid situation.” Recommendations for protecting against the virus are literally changing by the hour. The evolving situation is truly unprecedented.
As this article is being written, construction and construction-related services continue to be generally designated as essential, and therefore often exempt from the various “shelter-inplace” orders that have been issued due to the COVID-19 situation. But that too could change. Regardless, the construction industry has a responsibility to help “flatten the curve” and stop the spread of this vicious virus.
Follow CDC recommendations
Thankfully, construction has been allowed to continue, but COVID-19 necessitates that the construction industry in general deploy reasonable precautionary measures as may be necessary following the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as federal, state and local governments. These recommendations include the expanded use of personal protection equipment (PPE), new recommendations for workplace social distancing, and continuation of existing safe-work practices for employees, jobsite personnel and contractors.
These recommendations continue to evolve. As I write this, there are news reports of yet another pending change in CDC recommendations being forthcoming and, further, some building departments are beginning to issue recommendations too, so contractors should stay up-to-date on the latest guidance.
Construction management firms like ours are now asking contractors to provide written COVID-19 safety plans—including enforcement protocols—to help ensure that their personnel are following the latest recommended best practices of the CDC for the workplace. These plans will need to be updated regularly to include the latest recommended procedures from the CDC, federal, state and local governments around this issue.
PPE
Whether a project is in the pre-construction or the construction phase,
it is recommended that employees, clients and contractor personnel follow the health and safety guidelines of the CDC and OSHA, including but not limited to: • Wear safety glasses at all times. • Wear latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves when appropriate. • Wear clothing appropriate for the work activities, including appropriate footwear. • Wear hard hats when any overhead hazards may exist or as otherwise appropriate. • Wear approved clothing or an ID badge identifying the individual’s employer.
• Wear, deploy, use and engage all other PPE as appropriate for the activity being performed as required by OSHA. • Wear masks and respiratory PPE as appropriate: • N95 or other masks and respiratory PPE rated as appropriate for the activity being performed should be worn at all times by construction personnel when performing activities where such PPE is required or may otherwise be necessitated by the contractor’s site-specific safety plan and OSHA. • General use of facial masks (dust, surgical or otherwise) covering the nose and mouth should be implemented at all times following current CDC recommendations and/or state/local jurisdictional recommendations and requirements applicable where the worksite is located.
Workplace symptoms and indications of illness
Many contractors are deploying common-sense measures such as taking the temperature of all their jobsite personnel with a contactless thermometer each morning. Any personnel found to have a fever are removed from a project and not allowed to return until they are well. Similarly, many contractors are voluntarily removing personnel from worksites that have run-of-the-mill seasonal cold or flu-like symptoms. Even though these personnel likely do not have COVID-19, removing them from jobsites for 14 days (or as otherwise may be directed in writing by medical professionals) provides reassurance to workers, clients and residents that coronavirus prevention is a top priority.
Of course, any worksite personnel having been diagnosed with COVID-19 should not be permitted to return to work until they have been cleared by a doctor in writing to return. Clients are also asked to assist with reducing the risk of COVID-19 at project locations by following similar procedures for owners, residents, tenants or client employees suspected of having contracted COVID-19.
COVID-19 protocols have added a new—and rapidly evolving—set of requirements to construction worksites, but these efforts will enable construction projects to continue moving forward in a way that helps protect the health and safety of jobsite personnel, owners, residents and the general public. ❖
President and CEO of Bergeman Group, Dana Bergeman brings over 25 years of experience in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. Reach him at info@bergemangroup.com.
FORD PAINTING PROFESSIONALS It Costs Less To Do It Right The First Time! “It Costs Less to do it Right the First Time!”
Lic.# C-25781
C-33 Painting and Decorating C-55 Water proofing
Waterproof Coating
Kekuilani Villas
Highrise Painting
A highrise building, townhome or condo project, Ford Painting Professionals can do it. Locally owned and operated. Great pricing, service and our knowledgeable staff works with you at your convenience. Call on us anytime for a fast and FREE estimate!!
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • LICENSED • INSURED Questions? Contact US! 808-216-0272 www.fordpaintingpros.com
Lic. # C-25781 C-33 Painting and Decorating C-55 Waterproofing
