CFA, in partnership with the NAHB, is urging our members, and all residential construction companies, to halt work for at least 10 minutes on Thursday, April 16, for a COVID-19 Job Site Safety Stand Down to educate workers on what they should do to keep themselves safe from coronavirus and to help “flatten the curve” for everyone.

NAHB has developed detailed blueprints and offered them to the industry — in English and Spanish — for contractors to conduct their COVID-19 safety stand downs, including guidance on sharing the resources digitally.

The Department of Homeland Security recently designated construction of single-family and multifamily housing as an “Essential Infrastructure Business,” allowing construction to continue in places under stay-at-home orders. Although this designation is not binding on state and local governments, it does mean that there could be more workers on construction sites in the coming weeks. 

“We are already concerned for what the return to work and fuller operations might mean for our systems,” said CFA member Jeff Barnett, a foundation contractor and and long time member from Scottville, MI. 

“We know it will be critical for our employees to understand their roles along with everyone on a construction site to alter normal behavior and strictly follow public health guidelines while at work,” stated CFA Board member Sean Smith, a foundation contractor from Wellington, OH. 

As part of the safety stand down, members are being asked to pause all work for at least 10 minutes to relay coronavirus safety precautions, such as maintaining a distance of no less than six feet with others at all times, cleaning and sanitizing frequently used tools, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis and ensuring the proper sanitation of common surfaces and equipment. The safety information can also be distributed digitally (through email and/or text).

NAHB, and other construction industry partners have also developed a comprehensive Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction that outlines the steps every employer and employee should take to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. It describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures to be taken on the job site, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures and what to do if a worker becomes sick.

NAHB and industry partners also have created a quick-reference job site checklist for employers and employees and a job site safety poster — available in English and Spanish — that can be distributed throughout the workplace. These and other resources for members can be found at nahb.org/coronavirus.

Contact James Baty, CFA Executive Director or Rob Matuga, AVP, Labor, Safety & Health at the NAHB with any questions about the stand down. 

Contact the CFA for additional COVID-19 policies and resources, including a recorded members webinars on OSHA regulations for reportable illnesses and Crisis Communication best practices.