[Resource List] How to Re-open Your Job Site During COVID-19
We sense that ‘normal’ isn’t coming back, that we are being born into a new normal: a new kind of society, a new relationship to the earth, a new experience of being human.
Charles Eisenstein
Many states throughout the U.S. are making plans to re-open by the end of May, following the unprecedented shutdown of businesses due to the COVID-19 virus. Hopefully, this means that leadership in government, industry, business, and education have developed answers to questions surrounding working safely during COVID-19’s gradual retreat with the intent to not activate a second wave of the pandemic.
For those of us in the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, and particularly those who are considered “essential” and must report to the job site, management and workers must be prepared to implement a “new normal” work culture to protect ourselves and loved ones. Fortunately, the following resources have been developed to help those in the AEC industry prepare to re-open their offices and job sites.
Please note that the resources discussed in this blog are not intended to be considered authoritative guidance, although all are from government or respected industry associations.
OSHA Guidance
OSHA’s “COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce” (4/22/20) is one of many industry-specific one-page lists of “tips”. These are geared to management/owners/leadership to utilize as construction workers return to work in the industry. There are twelve (12) direct and short points. You can find OSHA’s website for coronavirus information and an 800 number to OSHA here: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA4000.pdf
NAHB Industry Guidance
This website created by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), has a wealth of COVID-19 resources for all members of the construction industry. One of these is the “COVID-19 Jobsite Checklist and Toolbox Talk” (updated 4/26/2020). It is a downloadable WORD document, re-titled “COVID-19 Checklist for Employers and Employees”. It is a great document for superintendents and foreman to utilize “as is” or develop their own talking points for a “toolbox talk”. It covers employer and employee responsibilities, cleaning/disinfecting, and personal protective equipment, among others. Such conversations will be needed and helpful to employees in order to shift their mindset to work safely and effectively. This document is also in Spanish. The website can be found here: https://www.nahb.org/Advocacy/Industry-Issues/Emergency-Preparedness-and-Response/Coronavirus-Preparedness/Protect-Your-Business/Construction-Jobsite-Safety-Recommendations
Building Trade Unions
Speaking on behalf of union workers across the United States, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) and North America’s Building Trades Union (NABTU) recently (4/21/2020) issued their “Draft NABTU and CPWR COVID-19 Standards for U.S. Construction Sites”. This is an excellent three-page document that addresses what “employers” should do to implement a COVID-19 exposure control plan. Among the topics addressed are social distancing, decontamination, personal hygiene, respiratory protection (including images) and special guidance for older workers and people with underlying health conditions. This document is downloadable and contains a number of website links to agencies such as OSHA, NIOSH, and the CDC: https://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/NABTU_CPWR_Standards_COVID-19.pdf
Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) Recommendations for COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan for Construction
The CISC is made up of 25 trade associations, representing all sectors of the construction industry, including commercial building, heavy industrial production, home building, road repair, specialty trade contractors, and material suppliers. Recently (4/26/20) this organization developed and shared a plan that outlines steps that every employer and employee can take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The plan is a template where individual contractors may tailor it to their own work and job sites. CISC also suggests that contractors should check with state and local ordinances regarding essential work in the areas they are operating. The document is about twenty (20) pages in length and can be found at: https://www.nahb.org/Advocacy/Industry-Issues/Emergency-Preparedness-and-Response/Coronavirus-Preparedness/Protect-Your-Business/Construction-Jobsite-Safety-Recommendation
Preparing your business for the full and safe return of all persons working on and around your projects will be extremely critical in the coming months. Owners, managers, and leaders in the construction industry will need to execute plans and communicate necessary changes to their work environment as the economy is gradually re-opened. The tips, recommendations, and guidance provided within these resources could be considered specialized tools for the “new normal” that follows COVID-19. But this is also our chance to transform the construction environment into a more thoughtful, helpful, healthy place to work.
What would you like to see as the “new normal” for the AEC industry? We would love to hear your thoughts.
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