At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything was put on hold in the interest of public safety. Schools were closed, sporting events were canceled, and restaurants and shops shut their doors. The construction industry was no exception, and many projects were temporarily or permanently suspended. Those that were allowed to continue were challenged with new regulations to follow and occasionally had to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks at the construction site.
With the distribution of the vaccine, many projects that were placed on hold are starting up again. So what is the COVID-19 guidance for construction workers? In order to safely conduct business, OSHA has released COVID-19 guidelines specific to the construction industry. Among precautions such as instructing sick workers to stay home and limiting in-person meetings, OSHA recommends the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 at a construction site.
Enforce Social Distancing
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Implement practices to maintain a distance of at least six feet between coworkers, contractors, and visitors. Seton offers a variety of signage to remind individuals to practice social distancing at the jobsite. You can even create your own sign with custom messaging specific to your needs. Make sure that you post reminders consistently throughout the area to remind everyone to remain a safe distance from one another.
Wear Face Coverings
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Provide and have all workers wear face coverings (i.e., cloth face coverings or surgical masks) that have at least two layers of tightly woven breathable fabric, unless their work task requires a respirator. The CDC recommends the use of cloth or surgical face masks with two to three layers of fabric for optimal filtration. Prevent the spread of COVID-19 by providing all personnel with the appropriate face coverings and post reminders around the jobsite. You can find a variety of face coverings to meet these requirements, as well as respirators and face shields, here.
Sanitize Hands & Tools
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Provide and ensure workers use the supplies necessary for good hygiene practices. If workers do not have immediate access to soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent ethanol or 70% isopropanol. Make sure there is adequate access to sanitation stations throughout the jobsite. If sharing tools is unavoidable, remind workers to wipe down their tools and workspace and sanitize their hands regularly. Post signage around the jobsite to remind individuals to sanitize their hands.
Enforcing these guidelines is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while still being able to safely complete a job. Seton can help your worksite become compliant with these regulations using our selection of masks and other PPE, hand washing reminders, hand sanitizers, hazard signage, and more. Browse our entire catalog today to create a safe, healthy working environment for you and your employees.