By: K. Brad Oakley
On April 21, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) issued guidance specific to the construction industry to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus among the workforce.
In addition to general preventative measures (such as respiratory etiquette, hand-washing/sanitizing, and staying home if sick), OSHA further encourages construction companies to implement several other measures that are pertinent in a construction setting:
- Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth in addition to other personal protective equipment customarily worn to protect workers from job hazards.
- Advise workers to avoid physical contact with others and, where work trailers are used, workers should maintain social distancing while inside the trailer.
- Keep in-person meetings (such as toolbox talks and safety meetings) as short as possible, limit the number of workers in attendance, and maintain social distancing.
- If tools or equipment must be shared, use alcohol-based wipes to clean tools before and after use.
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently-touched items and portable jobsite toilets.
- Use EPA-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus.
A copy of OSHA’s COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce can be found here.
For more information, visit www.osha.gov/coronavirus and https://www.jacksonkelly.com/firm/covid-19-legal-resource-page.