HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOVID-19 Guidelines for all construction sitesCommonwealth of Massachusetts
COVID-19 GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS AT ALL
PUBLIC WORK
These Guidelines and Procedures MUST be implemented at all times on all construction sites.
All construction sites MUST conduct a Safety Stand Down day to disseminate these Guidelines
to all employees and workers.
Employee Health Protection — ZERO Tolerance
The following applies to both State employees and contracted staff working on behalf of the State.
• ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SICK WORKERS REPORTING TO WORK. IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME! IF
YOU FEEL SICK, GO HOME! IF YOU SEE SOMEONE SICK, SEND THEM HOME!
• If you are exhibiting any of the symptoms below, you are to report this to your supervisor (via
phone, text or email) right away, and head home from the job site or stay home if already there.
If you notice a co-worker showing signs or complaining about such symptoms, he or she should
be directed to their supervisor (via phone, text or email) and asked to leave the project site
immediately.
COVID-19 Typical Symptoms:
o Fever
o Cough
o Shortness of Breath
o Sore Throat
• Prior to starting a shift, each employee will self -certify to their supervisor that they:
o Have no signs of a fever or a measured temperature above 100.3 degrees or greater, a
cough or trouble breathing within the past 24 hours.
o Have not had "close contact" with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. "Close
contact" means living in the same household as a person who has tested positive for
COVID-19, caring for a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, being within 6 feet
of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for about 15 minutes, or coming in
direct contact with secretions (e.g., sharing utensils, being coughed on) from a person
who has tested positive for COVID-19, while that person was symptomatic.
o Have not been asked to self -isolate or quarantine by their doctor or a local public health
official.
• Workers that are working in a confined space or inside a closed building envelope will have to
be temperature screened by a Medical Professional or Trained Individual provided that such
screening is out of public view to respect privacy and results are kept private.
• Employees exhibiting symptoms or unable to self -certify should be directed to leave the work site
and seek medical attention and applicable testing by their health care provider. They are not to
return to the work site until cleared by a medical professional.
March 2020
COVIDd9 GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS AT ALL
PUBLIC WORK
Page 2 of 4
General On -the -Job Guidance to Prevent Exposure &
Limit the Transmission of the Virus
• No handshaking
• Wash hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol -based hand sanitizer with at
least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol
• Contractor and State Agency Field Offices are locked down to all but authorized personnel
• Each jobsite should develop cleaning and decontamination procedures that are posted and
shared. These Procedures must cover all areas including trailers, gates, equipment, vehicles, etc.
and shall be posted at all entry points to the sites, and throughout the project site.
• A "No Congregation" policy is in effect, individuals must implement social distancing by
maintaining a minimum distance of 6 -feet from other individuals
• Avoid face to face meetings — critical situations requiring in -person discussion must follow social
distancing
• Conduct all meetings via conference calls, if possible. Do not convene meetings of more than 10
people. Recommend use of cell phones, texting, web meeting sites and conference calls for
project discussion
• All individual work crew meetings/tailgate talks should be held outside and follow social
distancing
• Please keep all crews a minimum of 6' apart at all times to eliminate the potential of cross
contamination
• At each job briefing/tool box talk, employees are asked if they are experiencing any symptoms,
and are sent home if they are
• Each jobsite should have laminated COVID-19 safety guidelines and handwashing instructions
• All restroom facilities/porta-potties should be cleaned and handwashing stations must be
provided with soap, hand sanitizer and paper towels
• All surfaces should be regularly cleaned, including surfaces, door handles, laptops, etc.
• All common areas and meeting areas are to be regularly cleaned and disinfected at least once a
day but preferably twice a day
• Be sure to use your own water bottle, and do not share
• To avoid external contamination, we recommend everyone bring food from home
• Please maintain Social Distancing separation during breaks and lunch.
• Cover coughing or sneezing with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands, if no
tissue is available then cough into your elbow
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands
• To avoid sharing germs, please clean up after Yourself. DO NOT make others responsible for
moving, unpacking and packing up your personal belongings
• If you or a family member is feeling ill, stay home!
COVID-19 GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS AT ALL
PUBLIC WORK
Page 3 of 4
Work Site Risk Prevention Practices
• At the start of each shift, confirm with all employees that they are healthy.
• We will have a 100% glove policy from today going forward. All construction workers will be
required to wear cut -resistant gloves or the equivalent.
• Use of eye protection (safety goggles/face shields) is recommended
• In work conditions where required social distancing is impossible to achieve affected employees
shall be supplied PPE including as appropriate a standard face mask, gloves, and eye protection.
• All employees shall drive to work site/parking area in a single occupant vehicle. Contractors / State
staff shall not ride together in the same vehicle
• When entering a machine or vehicle which you are not sure you were the last person to enter,
make sure that you wipe down the interior and door handles with disinfectant prior to entry
• In instances where it is possible, workers should maintain separation of 6' from each other per
CDC guidelines.
• Multi person activities will be limited where feasible (two person lifting activities)
• Large gathering places on the site such as shacks and break areas will be eliminated and instead
small break areas will be used with seating limited to ensure social distancing.
• Contact the cleaning person for your office trailer or office space and ensure they have proper
COVID-19 sanitation processes. Increase their cleaning visits to daily
• Clean all high contact surfaces a minimum of twice a day in order to minimize the spread of germs
in areas that people touch frequently. This includes but is not limited to desks, laptops and
vehicles
Wash Stations: All site -specific projects with outside construction sites without ready access to an
indoor bathroom MUST install Wash Stations.
• Install hand wash stations with hot water, if possible, and soap at fire hydrants or other water
sources to be used for frequent handwashing for all onsite employees
• All onsite workers must help to maintain and keep stations clean
• If a worker notices soap or towels are running low or out, immediately notify supervisors
• Garbage barrels will be placed next to the hand wash station for disposal of tissues/towels
COVID-19 GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
FOR ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS AT ALL
PUBLIC WORK
Page 4 of 4
Do all you can to maintain your good health by: getting adequate sleep; eating a balanced,
healthy diet, avoid alcohol; and consume plenty of fluids.
Please Note: This document is not intended to replace any formalized procedures currently in
place with the General Contractor.
Where these guidance does not meet or exceed the standards put forth by the General
Contractor, everyone shall abide by the most stringent procedure available.
A site -specific COVID-19 Officer (who may also be the Health and Safety Officer) shall be
designated for every site.
The approved project Health and Safety Plan (HASP) shall be modified to require that the
Contractor's site -specific project COVID-19 Officer submit a written daily report to the Owner's
Representative. The COVID-19 Officer shall certify that the contractor and all subcontractors are
in full compliance with these guidelines.
Any issue of non-compliance with these guidelines shall be a basis for the suspension of work.
The contractor will be required to submit a corrective action plan detailing each issue of non-
conformance and a plan to rectify the issue(s). The contractor will not be allowed to resume
work until the plan is approved by the Owner. Any additional issues of non-conformance may
be subject to action against the contractor's prequalification and certification status.
Wash your hands often with soap
and warm water,' or use an alcohol,
based hand sanitizes.
Clean -things -that are: i
touched (like doorknobs and
countertops) with household cleanings.
spray or wipes.
Avoid tou
mouth.
ing your eye
Stay home if you are sick and avoid
close contact with others.
Cover your mouth when you cough
or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner
elbow, not your hands.
Thinkahead about how to take care.
of yourself and your loved ones.
Visit mass.gov/KnowPlanPrepare
preparedness tips