The Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC) has published updates to its guidance for construction employers, employees, and contractors on coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure prevention, preparedness, and response. The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction describes how to prevent worker exposure and includes protective measures to be taken on the job site. The plan served as the basis for materials provided for the COVID-19 Job Site Safety Stand Down on April 16.
The updated guidance includes changes and additions that reflect the latest data on the spread of COVID-19. The plan now includes new guidance on the use of face coverings, including masks and cloth coverings, and includes a new section (Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Employers) based on updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. The guidance also includes updated procedures for screening and allowing visitors onto job sites, an appendix on the procedures for monitoring the temperature of workers, and additional guidance on ride sharing and the use of common drinking and eating sources.
CISC's jobsite safety materials also 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 pre-screen jobsite visitors, and to provide sanitation materials and protective equipment on the 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.
