
Safety is top of mind in the construction industry all the time, but this year has added new challenges to ensuring the safety of construction workers across Kentucky. While we work as an industry to uphold the recommendations, it comes down to each individual’s actions to ensure their own safety and the safety of those nearby. I Build America – Kentucky encourages all construction professionals to follow precautionary measures on and off the worksite. Together, we can do our part to ensure constructions stays operational and effective as an essential industry.
To help, we’re sharing recommendations from the Associated General Contractors of America, also known as AGC of America. Watch the video above, or read the recommendations for onsite guidelines:
- Practice social distancing
- When possible, employees should work at least six feet apart.
- Wear new safety gear
- If social distancing cannot be followed, provide masks and other protective gear to protect skilled laborers.
- Halt group meetings
- Of course, you can still meet as a group through virtual communication.
- Ban sharing of tools
- If sharing is the only option, clean before each use.
- Stay at home if sick
- Even if symptoms such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath are not present, pre-screen everyone who enters a job site.
To make sure that employees are well-equipped to follow all coronavirus safety guidelines, construction firms have been completing safety stand-downs. Each stand down is an opportunity to explain the guidelines, help every individual understand their role in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and what to look for in safety on the jobsite.
In addition to following the previously outlined on-the-job safety protocols, the AGC of America recommends construction firm leaders and their employees do the following for their own wellbeing:
- Avoid news overexposure.
- Take good care of their health with good habits.
- Unwind with enjoyable, relaxing activities.
- Talk with others and share how they are feeling.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration agrees that our industry is set up well for times such as these, which is why they have encouraged our state and local officials to keep the construction industry in operation. An overview of how construction functions in support of “critical industry” is available here.