Updates to shelter-in-place orders in Marin and Sonoma Counties now allow construction and building projects to proceed, which means that new projects that were previously prohibited can now go forward.
The state of California has issued general guidance for safely conducting construction projects, and Marin has created safey protocols for both small and large construction projects. These guidelines and protocols outline what construction companies (including general contractors and subcontractors) must do to keep their workers safe. Key provisions for small projects include:
- Designating a site-specific COVID-19 supervisor to enforce protocols
- Establishing a daily screening protocol for staff, which may include temperature checks and symptom checking
- Maintaining a mimimum six-foot distance between workers, except as strictly necessary to carry out a task associated with the construction project
- Sealing off work areas from the remainder of an occupied unit with physical barriers such as plastic sheeting or closed doors
- Where possible, when entering/exiting any common area of an occupied unit, workers should access the work area from an alternative entry/exit to that used by residents or other building users
- Providing personal protective equipent (PPE) specially for use in construction as appropriate for the activity being performed
- Staggering trades (i.e., subcontractors) as necessary to reduce density and allow for easy maintenance of minimum six-foot separation
- If hand-washing facilities aren’t available at the jobsite, placing portable wash stations or hand sanitizers at entrances to the jobsite and in multiple locations throughout the jobsite
- Cleaning and santitizing daily any hand-washing facilites, portable wash stations, jobsite restroom areas or other enclosed spaces
- Frequently cleaning and disinfecting all high-touch areas
(For complete protocol, see Appendix B-1 Marin Health Order effective May 4, 2020.)
Protecting Your People
While construction businesses are responsible for following these and other guidelines, there are steps the home or business owner can take to ensure their families and co-workers remain safe.
In addition to ensuring any contractors or others involved in your construction project adhere to the state and county guidelines, there are several simple things I advise my clients to do during a building project:
- Make sure you know which workers are scheduled to be on your jobsite each day and what areas they are going to be working on. This will help you plan to be out of the work area as necessary with minimal disruption.
- Make sure workers are following the appropriate guidelines. If there are questions, ask to speak with the site COVID-19 supervisor.
- If you must meet face-to-face with workers, make sure you and they are wearing masks, and maintain six feet of distance between you.
- Keep an extra supply of disposable or clean washable masks on hand. While construction businesses are required to supply their workers with PPE, it pays to be prepared for unexpected events.
- Where possible, review and sign any documents remotely. When this isn’t possible, have workers leave documents in a designated area for you to access when they are a safe distance away. Use your own pen to sign any documents and wash your hands before and after handling documents.
- When possible, open doors and windows in the work area(s) for a few hours after workers have left for the day.
- Wipe down anything workers may have touched (doorknobs, etc.) with disinfecting wipes.
Remember, we’re all in this together. Stay safe and healthy!