The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an alert listing tips construction employers can follow to help protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus (COVID). The alert supplements previously released resources by OSHA, including Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, and OSHA's COVID-19 webpage.
Construction employers can protect employees by encouraging workers to stay home if they are sick and training workers how to properly use, wear, and take off protective clothing and equipment. OSHA said employers can take preventative measures including continuing other control measures, such as the use of personal protective equipment, necessary to protect workers from other job hazards.
Employers should advise workers to avoid physical contact with each other and should direct employees and contractors to increase personal space to at least 6 feet when possible. Additionally, employers should promote personal hygiene and provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol if workers do not have immediate access to soap and water.
In addition to the resources provided by OSHA, construction employers and contractors also can access the Construction Industry Safety Coalition's (CISC) guidance on coronavirus exposure, prevention, preparedness, and response. The CISC's guidance describes how employers can prevent worker exposure to COVID-19, protective measures that can be taken on the jobsite, work practice controls that can be used, and cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
