Listed below are some additional suggested practices and recommendations compiled from industry submissions, government agencies, and other trade associations. Consider implementing to minimize contracting or transmitting COVID-19, in addition to those recommendations listed above and in the downloadable Exposure Preparedness and Response Plan. These will be updated and/or revised as needed:
General recommendations: social distancing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Maintain 6-foot social distancing as much as possible, do not shake hands, and do not congregate.
• Wear a face covering like a bandana or scarf, especially when working in close quarters. Click here for additional Respiratory Protection During COVID-19 for Road Construction Workers guidance.
• Minimize or eliminate face-to-face training and meetings.
• Minimize or eliminate visitation with non-essential individuals.
• Minimize or eliminate employee ride-sharing. If necessary, ensure no more than two individuals per vehicle. Ensure adequate ventilation, preferably fresh air, during the vehicular transportation of employees.
• Do not share PPE.
• Sanitize reusable PPE per manufacturer’s recommendation prior to each use.
• Utilize disposable gloves where appropriate; wash hands after removing gloves.
• Consider changing clothes prior to arriving home. Keep soiled clothing separate and wash in hot water with laundry sanitizer.
• Segregate delivery personnel from plant personnel.
• In lieu of using a common source of drinking water, consider individual water bottles
• Consider utilizing portable hand washing/sanitizing stations pictured right. (credit: Barriere Construction). Click on the image for more information.
Tools, Supplies, Equipment
• Minimize or eliminate sharing of hand tools (shovels, floats, loots, hand saws, etc.)
• Use disposable hand towels.
• Clean/disinfect potentially touchable surfaces on equipment, trucks, pickups etc., before and after shifts by the operators.
• Disinfect reusable supplies before and after use.
• Attempt to use/drive the same truck, piece of equipment, or tool; ensure it is disinfected after use.
• Clean surfaces of construction equipment (pavers, end loader, rollers, cranes, etc.) and service/fleet vehicles including steering wheel, gear shift, instrument panels, etc. at the beginning and end of shifts. Use aerosol sanitizers inside closed cabs.
Documentation / Weigh tickets
• Minimize or eliminate sharing of pens.
• Minimize or eliminate transfer of paper tickets or cash. Be careful of using electronic payment tools and ensure the surface is clean or disinfected.
• Utilize e-ticketing if possible. Click here for state-by-state listing of e-ticketing use.
• If allowed, submit required documentation (inspections, certifications, invoices, prevailing wage reports, etc.) electronically.
• Request third-party haulers to remain in their vehicles, if possible.
• Use a clear plastic sleeve to receive paper material tickets and attach plastic sleeve to paver after each receipt.
• For documents requiring paper copies or wet signatures, utilize drop boxes or other non-contact means to transfer paperwork between Contractor and Owner.
Documenting Hazard Mitigation Strategies
- Ensure daily that employees are not symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19 (This needs to be conducted by an authorized representative, e.g., HR).
- Develop a company policy for requiring employees to stay home or self-quarantine.
- Consider developing an Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Plan: OSHA has recommended classifying a worker’s exposure to COVID-19 based on a worker’s or the employment type risk factor. For example, office workers, individuals directly interacting with others or groups, high-risk individuals, etc. Examples are available on the Internet for municipalities. See Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, starting on p. 7.
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