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CDC offers COVID-19 guidance for construction employers and workers
2020-05-22T05:00:00Z
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published guidance for protecting construction workers from COVID-19. Construction employers should have a plan to protect workers, and designate a safety and health officer who is responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns at every jobsite. Workers should know who this person is and how to contact the coordinator.
The CDC recommends that construction employers take steps to reduce transmission by:
- Encouraging sick employees to stay home.
- Providing information about COVID-19, how it spreads, and the risk of exposure.
- Conducting toolbox talks to explain the protective measures in place.
- Minimizing face-to-face contact for employees in higher risk groups, or assigning work tasks that allow them to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others if possible.
- Providing training on handwashing and other preventative measures. Provide access to soap and clean running water, or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Implementing social distancing guidance between workers when possible. Maintain social distancing when visiting lunch trucks or construction site vendors. CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Modifying work schedules to stagger work, and alternating work days or providing extra shifts to reduce the number of workers on a job site at any given time.
- Limiting the number of workers in enclosed and confined areas at one time, such as trailers.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces using products that meet EPA’s criteria from List N, or approved alternatives. Limit tool sharing if possible.
- Providing disposable disinfectant wipes (when available) so that surfaces commonly touched can be wiped down.
Workers should notify a supervisor and stay home if they have symptoms. Workers should also notify a supervisor if the worker are well but has a sick family member at home with COVID-19.