RCMA Updates on COVID-19

Editor's Note - This is an update from RCMA, George Fischer, Director of Regulatory Affairs

Updated 5/20/2020

Please see another letter regarding the PPP that RCMA has signed on with support. The roofing industry coalition continues to move forward with the “Back to Work on America’s Roofs” outreach.

As states begin reopening their economies, OSHA has issued two revised enforcement policies to ensure employers are taking action to protect their employees: OSHA Adopts Revised Enforcement Policies For Coronavirus

The press release identifies two targeted areas. First is an increase of in-person inspections at all types of workplaces. Second is a revision of previous enforcement policies for recording cases of Coronavirus:

• The first enforcement memo is available here and identifies the increase in inspections noted above.
• The second enforcement memo is available here, with some details below:

OSHA is revising its previous enforcement policy for recording cases of coronavirus. Under OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements, coronavirus is a recordable illness, and employers are responsible for recording cases of the coronavirus, if the case:

• Is confirmed as a coronavirus illness;
• Is work-related as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5; and
• Involves one or more of the general recording criteria in 29 CFR 1904.7, such as medical treatment beyond first aid or days away from work.

Under the new policy issued today, OSHA will enforce the recordkeeping requirements of 29 CFR 1904 for employee coronavirus illnesses for all employers. Given the nature of the disease and community spread, however, in many instances it remains difficult to determine whether a coronavirus illness is work-related, especially when an employee has experienced potential exposure both in and out of the workplace. OSHA’s guidance emphasizes that employers must make reasonable efforts, based on the evidence available to the employer, to ascertain whether a particular case of coronavirus is work-related.

Please contact me at your convenience with questions or comments.

Updated May 15, 2020

As we continue to move forward, in order to keep the roofing industry at the forefront of essential business we believe it is important that we provide industry-leading commitment to HSE and maintain best-in-class practices. To that end, please see the following resources identified this morning:

• NJ Construction Restart: Information on NJ’s decision to allow non-essential construction to restart effective Monday, May18th is available here: https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/governor-murphy-signs-executive-order-permitting-resumption-non-essential-construction-curbside-pickup-non-essential-retail-businesses-gatherings-cars/.
• NY Guidance for Construction Sites: Additional information for construction activities allowed to reopen under Phase 1 of NY’s plan can be located here: https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase (click on “Phase One: Construction Guidelines).
• OSHA/CDC guidance: updated guidance for manufacturing workplaces can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-manufacturing-workers-employers.html.

Once again, I hope this finds you safe and healthy!

With kindest regards,

George

Good afternoon everyone,

Once again I hope this finds you safe and healthy! As we move toward emerging from this pandemic, I wanted to share a one-pager onto which RCMA has signed with the larger roofing industry coalition, entitled “Back to Work on Americas Roofs”. We expect that we will be posting this on the RCMA website, and have provided here for your information. The coalition expects to work toward a press release in the coming weeks.

As an FYI, we expect that there will likely be another round of relief coming (CARES 2.0) with expected additional funding for the PPP.

I have attached a few other documents you may find of interest . . . 

To access the entire message and to download documents mentioned, please visit their RCS Directory Here