COVID-19 pandemic: CPWR shares tips to help shield construction workers from exposure

Silver Spring, MD — Aiming to protect construction workers from the COVID-19 pandemic, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training has released guidance for employees and employers.

CPWR collaborated with North America’s Building Trades Unions, as well as partners in research and government, to develop the guidance. The center said it plans to update its COVID-19 webpage regularly as information becomes available.

Tips for workers include:

• Don’t go to work if you’re feeling sick.
• Don’t shake hands when greeting others.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others on the worksite, if possible, including during meetings and training sessions.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or do so into your elbow.
• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

For employers:

• Plan for office staff to have the ability to work from home.
• Provide soap and running water – and hand sanitizer, if possible – on all worksites to allow for frequent handwashing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on worksites and in offices, including hand rails, doorknobs and portable toilets.
• If a job involves working at a health care facility, provide workers with Infection Control Risk Assessment training.