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COVID-19 - Construction Site Shutdown Warning

Construction sites are coming under a high degree of scrutiny with compliance with COVID-19 program requirements. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued new COVID-19 safety guidance for construction sites after reports that some construction sites were not complying with the city’s safer-at-home order.

Building and Safety Announcement
On March 31, 2020, L. A. Building and Safety issued Announcement No.5 related to guidelines for Construction industry employers (document below). The document includes developing a comprehensive COVID-19 exposure control plan, including control measures such as social distancing; symptom checking; hygiene; decontamination procedures, and training. The plan should also include methods and practices that must be followed to prevent any onsite worker from contracting and potentially spreading the disease.

Inspections and Shutting Down Sites 
Failure to comply with the guidance shall be deemed as creating unsafe conditions and may result in withheld inspections or shutting down the construction site. Los Angeles Dept. of Building Safety staff will verify compliance during regular project inspections, along with additional inspections that stem from complaints submitted to its call center or website.

Rewards for Informants
The mayor of Los Angeles encouraged public reporting of construction non-compliance to the city’s safer-at-home order. The Mayor stated “potential rewards for informants for sites that are not complying”.

Heed the Warning
It is suggested all construction sites heed this warning. If these requirements have not been implemented in your state, region and on your project sites, I would expect they would be coming soon. Be proactive and implement your COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan today. The following is a good example of what is needed in a plan. 

L.A. BUILDING & SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT No. 5 COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES

• Practice social distancing by maintaining a minimum 6-foot distance from others.
• Preclude gatherings of any size, and anytime two or more people must meet, ensure minimum 6-foot separation.
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, face shields and facemasks as appropriate for the activity being performed.
• The owner/contractor shall designate a site specific COVID-19 Supervisor to enforce this guidance.
• A designated COVID-19 Supervisor shall be present on the construction site at all times during construction activities.
• The COVID-19 Supervisor can be an on-site worker who is designated to carry this role.
• Identify “choke points” and “high-risk areas” where workers are forced to stand together, such as hallways, hoists and elevators, break areas, and buses, and control them so social distancing is maintained.
• Minimize interactions when picking up or delivering equipment or materials, ensure minimum 6-foot separation.
• Stagger the trades as necessary to reduce density and maintain minimum 6-foot separation social distancing.
• Discourage workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, work tools and equipment. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use.
• Post, in areas visible to all worker, required hygienic practices including not touching face with unwashed hands or with gloves; washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, cleaning AND disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, machines, shared tools, elevator control buttons, and doorknobs; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing as well as other hygienic recommendations by the CDC.
• Place wash stations or hand sanitizers in multiple locations to encourage hand hygiene.
• Require anyone on the project to stay home if they are sick, except to get medical care.
• Have employees inform their supervisor if they have a sick family member at home with COVID-19.
• Maintain a daily attendance log of all workers and visitors.

http://attachment.benchmarkemail.com/c52922/construction-site-guidance.pdf

Please stay healthy and well. 

NOTICE: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult with a legal professional in your area for advice reagrding your firms individuals circumstances. 

You are welcome to forward this newsletter to others who may be interested.

SmartRisk
Risk Performance Strategies

SmartRisk is a leading risk and performance management consultancy for design and construction professionals. Through firm specific risk assessments, training and consulting, services focus on improving overall performance, profitability and reducing insurance costs through tailored risk management solutions.

If you have any questions about our services, or would like dicusss how we could assist your efforts, please contact us.

Thank you,

Timothy J. Corbett, BSRM, MSM, CERG, LEED GA
Founder & President
626-665-8150
tcorbett@smartrisk.biz
www.smartrisk.biz.

Copyright and Information Only. This newsletter is for information purposes only and should not be construed nor relied upon as guidance, regulatory or legal advice. Readers should consult with appropriate counsel regarding their specific situations and circumstances. SmartRisk shall not be liable for any errors in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

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