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Construction sector should be actively monitoring the situation and
responding to corona threat. Almost 6.5 million people work at approximately
252,000 construction sites across the world. As per Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthy
worksite and protect the workers during COVID-19 Pandemic.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a
virus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to
person between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) and through
respiratory droplets from an infected person through sneezing, coughing and
talking.
Maintaining a healthy worksite
Employer must implement all measures of protecting employees and prevent corona
spread such as:
1.Modify work schedules by providing alternating workdays or extra shifts to
reduce the total number of workers on a work site.
2.Limit and reduce the number of workers in enclosed and confined areas (eg:
small rooms and tanks under construction, toilets) at a time and the time spent
for working in such enclosed spaces should be minimized.
3.Ensure that workers can stay at least 6 feet away from other workers.
4.Disinfect and sanitize the lunchroom areas used by the groups while
maintaining social distance in the lunchrooms.
5.Social or casual conversations should be limited that normally occur at work
6.In-person meetings/trainings should be cancelled whenever possible. Even if
it’s necessary a distance of 6 feet or more between attendees should be
maintained.
7.Posters and pictures should be placed that explain and encourage staying home
when sick, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and hygienic practices at all
necessary areas of worksite where they are likely to be seen.
8.Clean and disinfect the touched surfaces regularly and clean them prior to
disinfection if the surfaces are dirty.
9.Frequently touched surfaces such as shared tools, machines, vehicles and other
equipment, handrails, ladders, doorknobs, and portable toilets should be cleaned
and disinfected at the beginning and end of every shift.
10.Worksite should be provided with soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs
at multiple locations and in common areas to encourage hand hygiene.
11.Workers should be trained how to properly put on, use/wear, and take off
protective clothing and equipment (Donning and Doffing procedures).
12.Workers should be enforced to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent
them from spreading the virus.
13.Workers should be provided with tissues and waste bins lined with a plastic
bag so that they can be emptied without contacting the contents.
14.Workers should be encouraged to report any safety and health concerns.
15. It is essential to guide the workers in proper use and disposal of nose and
face masks:
•Ensure that the masks should fit properly, completely covering the face from
bridge of nose to chin.
•Instruct the workers to clean hands properly before putting the face mask on or
taking it off.
•Advise them only to touch the cord or elastic at the back of the face mask when
removing it, not the front.
•Ensure they follow proper disposal procedures and be sure to dispose in proper
containers if the face mask is disposable.
•Instruct them to wash the face mask with detergent in hot water if reusable as
soon as possible after use.
16.Provide alternative ways to promote hand hygiene if any difficulty in with
hand sanitizing and running water is unavailable on site. This may include:
•Temporary or mobile hand washing stations should be installed making sure there
is an adequate supply of water, soap, and single-use paper towels.
•Providing a large bucket of water with a lid and tap that can be used a source
of water for hand washing. If this method is installed, the water tap should be
regularly cleaned and disinfected. Fresh water should be provided daily.
•Multiple hand washing stations should be made available to accommodate the
workforce depending on the size of the worksite while maintaining social
distancing.
As a construction worker, he/she is responsible to slow the spread
Construction workers are more likely to get infected with COVID-19 through close
contact with co-workers or public who are ill with COVID-19 and touching their
nose, mouth or eyes by touching surfaces contaminated with virus or handling and
sharing tools, items with infected persons. Therefore these are the recommended
actions for workers that include:
1.Workers should Inform the supervisor and stay at home if they are sick
2.Workers should follow all recommended health guidelines if they are sick. They
should not return to work until they are advised by state and local health
departments.
3.Workers should avoid Tool sharing if possible.
4.Workers should maintain proper hand hygiene practices as a means of an
important infection preventive measure:
Proper hand hygiene practices should be maintained:
•Before and after work shifts and breaks
•After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
•After using the restroom
•Before eating and before and after preparing food
•After touching objects which have been shared and handled by coworkers, such as
tools and equipment
•Before putting on and after taking off work gloves
•After putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings
•Before donning or doffing eye or face protection (safety glasses, goggles,
etc.)
Maintaining healthy operations at construction site
Safety and health officer should be designated at each construction site
responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. Workers should know who this
person is and how to contact them. Provide information on whom to contact if an
employee is confirmed to have COVID-19 infection and employers should inform
fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace
maintaining confidentiality.
Employer should establish ongoing communications to facilitate access to
relevant information before and during a local outbreak by reaching out to local
public health officials.
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