Construction Site Health Safety Practices

workers at a construction site

​While many people work from home during pandemics and other health crises, most construction projects remain in full swing. But to protect employees – and deadlines – construction companies and workers must follow construction health safety practices during pandemic situations.

Monitor and Enforce Physical Distancing

Because virus-bearing droplets can travel up to 27 feet through a couch or sneeze, it is critical to ensure physical distancing between workers. Some sites report OSHA inspectors verifying physical distancing, housekeeping and sanitation of break areas. Take these steps:

  • Evaluate and include safe practices in job briefings and task hazard assessments. Identify whether each task can be performed by a single employee, and if not, what type of Personal Protective Equipment is needed to assure the safety of all employees.
  • Monitor workers for proper social distancing on the jobsite and in parking areas.
  • Modify work schedules by staggering shifts or offering alternate days of work or dedicated shifts can reduce the number of workers on a site at any time. Breaks should also be scheduled to reduce interactions.
  • Reduce Meetings. Whenever possible, perform meetings online or via conference call. Limit groups to no more than 10 people. Make sure everyone is at least six feet apart.
  • Evaluate confined spaces for maximum occupancy and to determine how to maintain physical distancing. Post signage as a reminder of restrictions.

Review Site Logistics and Control

Limit the number of jobsite visitors and screen all workers and visitors to verify they do not have a fever. Deliveries to the site should be carefully planned with contact and cleaning protocols:

  • Identify specific areas as laydown sites for deliveries.
  • Paint lines to limit the areas for gang boxes and material sources.
  • Place barriers to separate workers from delivery locations.
  • Keep trash in specific locations where it can easily be removed from the site.
  • Instruct delivery personnel to remain in their vehicles when possible and have minimal contact with site workers.
  • Adopt a zero-tolerance policy for working while sick and encourage sick workers to remain home and self-quarantine.

Increase Sanitation and Hygiene

  • Frequent handwashing is a critical practice at this time. Be sure jobsites have adequate facilities and supplies.
  • Eliminate sharing of tools wherever possible and clean all tools regularly.
  • Disinfect shared equipment (including tools and vehicles) before and after each use.
  • Users of the tools or vehicles should wash or sanitize their hands before and after use.

Educate Employees

Don’t assume that workers are well-informed about the realities of contagious diseases. False information often abounds. In addition to posting and communicating health safety policies, supervisors and safety personnel should discuss health safety protocols, such as how to perform proper distancing, how to report if they exhibit symptoms or suspect a fellow worker might be ill, steps for disinfecting and when workers who have exhibited symptoms can return to the worksite.

Make sure workers are aware that their off-work behavior can expose them to the virus. They should follow any government stay-at-home orders and practice social distancing when shopping, exercising or engaging in any other essential activities.

These construction safety practices for pandemic situations can help keep workers safe – and worksites on-schedule. As with all safety efforts, steps to prevent the spread of disease on your jobsites will only succeed with the complete encouragement and cooperation of company leadership at all levels.

Pandemic Resources: