As the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. increases, a majority of states are mandating the closure of non-essential businesses. The construction industry is receiving "essential" designations in most states, allowing projects to continue and businesses to remain open. To aid construction employers, employees, and contractors on the jobsite, the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) published guidance on coronavirus exposure prevention, preparedness, and response.
The CISC's guidance describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures that can be taken on the jobsite, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and what to do if a worker becomes sick. The materials from CISC include a customizable response plan, notifications for employees, a checklist and quick reference guide, and a toolbox talk for employers.
The toolbox talk encourages employers to develop COVID-19 exposure action plans, to limit jobsite access to only those necessary to work, to pre-screen jobsite visitors, and to provide sanitation materials and protective equipment on site. The CISC encourages employees to practice good hygiene and to clean tools and equipment used on the jobsite on a regular basis. The CISC also suggests shared surfaces such as door handles and machinery controls should be disinfected on a regular basis and that workers should not share tools on the jobsite.
