In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety issued new guidance for all construction sites this week.
All contractors and other industry employers are now required to develop exposure control plans for the virus, accounting for social distancing, symptom checking, hygiene, decontamination procedures, and training.
Failure to comply with the guidance could result in the Department cancelling inspections or even shutting down construction sites.
The memo distributed by the Department includes the following requirements:
- Practice social distancing - maintaining a six-foot distance from others;
- Preclude gathering of any size; Provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, face shields, and face masks as appropriate;
- Designate a site specific COVID-19 Supervisor to enforce the guidance; Identity high risk areas where workers are forced to stand together, such as hallways, hoists, elevators, break areas, buses, and control them to maintain social distancing;
- Minimize interactions when picking up or delivering equipment and materials;
- Stagger trades as necessary to reduce density;
- Discourage workers from using other workers' phones, desks, offices, work tools, and equipment. If necessary, clean and disinfect materials before and after uses;
- Post required hygienic practices including hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, cleaning of frequently touched objects and services, covering of the mouth and nose, and avoiding face touching;
- Place wash stations and hand sanitizers in multiple locations;
- Require anyone to stay home if they are sick;
- Inform supervisors if they have a sick family member at home with COVID-19;
- Maintain a daily attendance log of all workers and visitors.
Construction has been designated as an essential activity under the shelter in place orders issued by both the State and local jurisdictions - including Los Angeles.
While work has continued at many large development sites since the orders were issued, others such as the Lucas Museum and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, temporarily halted construction due to the outbreak.