COVID-19 Safety Guidance for Construction Sites

The following guidelines are based on Interim CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), OSHA’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, and the Public Order Under City of Los Angeles Emergency Authority (Issue Date March 19, 2020, Revised April 1, 2020) by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (hereinafter “Safer at Home Order”). Please check LADBS.org for the latest updates.

Construction industry employers shall develop a comprehensive COVID-19 exposure control plan, which includes control measures such as social distancing; symptom checking; hygiene; decontamination procedures, and training. An exposure control plan and the following practices must be followed to prevent any onsite worker from contracting COVID-19, as many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and can potentially spread disease. Failure to comply with these guidelines shall be deemed as creating unsafe conditions as per the Safer at Home Order section 5(ix) and may result in withheld inspections or shutting down the construction site until corrected.

In keeping with the forgoing authorities, LADBS staff will verify compliance with the below guidelines during regular scheduled inspections for projects under construction as well as during investigations associated with complaints that may be submitted to LADBS (Call center - 311 or (213) 473-3231 – Calls will then be routed to LADBS’ Call Center. OR, use the MyLA311 Website at https://myla311.lacity.org/ or submit via the MyLA311 mobile app.):

1. Practice social distancing by maintaining a minimum 6-foot distance from others.

2. Preclude gatherings of any size, and anytime two or more people must meet, ensure minimum 6-foot separation.

3. All workers and visitors on site shall wear face coverings over their noses and mouths while performing their work. Face coverings referenced in this guidance can be fabric coverings, such as scarves and bandana coverings. Reusable face coverings must be frequently washed, minimum once a day, for the health and safety of users and others. Single- use coverings must be properly discarded into trash receptacles.

4. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) as appropriate for the activity being performed.

5. The owner/contractor shall designate a site specific COVID-19 Supervisor to enforce this guidance. A designated COVID-19 Supervisor shall be present on the construction site at all times during construction activities. The COVID- 19 Supervisor can be an on-site worker who is designated to carry this role.

6. Identify “choke points” and “high-risk areas” where workers are forced to stand together, such as hallways, hoists and elevators, break areas, and buses, and control them so social distancing is maintained.

7. Minimize interactions when picking up or delivering equipment or materials, ensure minimum 6-foot separation.

8. Stagger the trades as necessary to reduce density and maintain minimum 6-foot separation social distancing.

9. Discourage workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, work tools and equipment. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use.

10. Post, in areas visible to all workers, required hygienic practices including not touching face with unwashed hands or with gloves; washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, cleaning AND disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, machines, shared tools, elevator control buttons, and doorknobs; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing as well as other hygienic recommendations by the CDC.

11. Place wash stations or hand sanitizers in multiple locations to encourage hand hygiene.

12. Require anyone on the project to stay home if they are sick, except to get medical care.

13. Have employees inform their supervisor if they have a sick family member at home with COVID-19.

14. Maintain a daily attendance log of all workers and visitors.

15. Employers must permit their employees to wash their hands at least every 30 minutes

16. Employers must make sure employees have access to a clean and sanitary restroom, stocked with all necessary cleansing products like soap and sanitizer.