OSHA recently issued a series of safety tips that employers can follow to help protect construction workers from exposure to the coronavirus. Employers should follow these measures:

• Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick;
• Train workers how to properly put on, use/wear, and take off protective clothing and equipment;
• Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent them from spreading the virus;
• Continue to use other normal control measures, including personal protective equipment, necessary to protect workers from other job hazards associated with construction activities;
• Advise workers to avoid physical contact with others and directing employees/contractors/visitors to increase personal space to at least six feet, where possible. Where work trailers are used, all workers should maintain social distancing while inside the trailers;
• Promote personal hygiene. If workers do not have immediate access to soap and water for handwashing, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol;
• Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have label claims against the coronavirus; and
• Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.

Download the new alert (available in English and Spanish) for more information.