Four Tips to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe the virus is mainly spread from person to person between people who are within six feet of each other and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Contractors should think about implementing safety measures to maintain prevent the spread of COVID-19 among your workforce.

The following tips may assist in preventing the transmission of COVID-19:

1. Take Personal Responsibility. Taking steps to protect yourself from the contraction of COVID-19 may also protect your colleagues and others around you. First, stay home if you have symptoms associated with COVID-19 including, but not limited to, fever, coughing, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. Secondly, follow CDC recommendations to protect yourself from COVID-19 exposure. For example, the CDC advises cloth face coverings should be worn in places where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Please remember, cloth face coverings are NOT a substitute for appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, such as respirators.

2. Clean Frequently. The CDC recommends contractors clean and disinfect shared tools and equipment frequently. To limit the spread of disease through shared tools, contractors may want to consider limiting the number of shared tools, if possible. When cleaning tools and equipment, consider consulting the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper cleaning techniques and restrictions. Besides tools and equipment, ensure common workspaces along with portable jobsite toilets are disinfected throughout the day.

3. Practice Proper Hygiene. The CDC says the risk of COVID-19 transmission is reduced when employers implement proper hygiene measures. For hand hygiene, wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Employees should wash their hands regularly throughout the day.

4. Educate Your Workforce. Employers should consider conducting toolbox talks on proper hygiene, cleaning, and social distancing guidelines. During these trainings, provide basic facts on COVID-19, how it spreads and risks of exposure. Advising your employees to avoid physical contact with each other and to maximize personal space may assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19. As you conduct these meetings, follow social distancing practices, if possible.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Cotney Construction Law is an advocate for the roofing industry and General Counsel of NRCA. Its attorneys practice in all areas of construction law. The firm works extensively on matters relating to OSHA defense, which includes the management and development of safety and health strategies for construction contractors across the United States. The firm’s OSHA practice concentrates on litigation and the appeals of citations involving catastrophic construction-related accidents. For more information, please visit www.cotneycl.com.