NYC construction restart: be ready and avoid fines
Rules for NYC construction restarts went into effect June 9 and need to be followed until further notice. Inspectors from the Department of Business plan to conduct safety checks throughout New York City, and concerned citizens can also call 311 to report issues.
What measures inspectors will look for
Starting June 8, all NYC construction restarts must take these minimum steps to ensure safety.
Wear face coverings when needed and have extras available
Whenever anyone at the site has to be in close proximity (6 feet or less), face coverings are mandatory. There are no requirements as to what type of mask or other covering is used, but it should cover both the mouth and nose. Site safety personnel should keep face coverings on hand to ensure compliance with this regulation.
Clean and disinfect thoroughly and keep a record of it
The key to this one is thorough. Don't skip required cleaning measures and don't forget to log it. Keep safety data sheets of the disinfectants you've used. Make sure to supply anyone cleaning with the appropriate personal protective gear for cleaning, like gloves, etc.
Post signage and make workers aware of hand-washing areas
Inspectors want to see hand-washing areas available within reasonable proximity to workers. Workers need to be able to easily locate hand sanitizer, too. And posted reminders of ways to stop or slow the spread of coronavirus must be visible.
Have a site safety monitor, but don't forget to educate all personnel
This one can get overlooked in the rush to restart. Site safety monitors need a presence on all job sites. Employers have a duty to educate everyone on the jobsite—even though many of the symptoms of COVID-19 seem like common knowledge and are readily available online. One of the best ways to make sure your site is in compliance? Communicate to all workers remotely before restarting construction. Provide education about the symptoms of coronavirus, how to self-check for symptoms, policies and procedures if anyone is experiencing those symptoms, how to locate hand-washing stations, and more. You'll also need to post how employees can communicate issues and through what channels.
Elevators and other tight spaces have capacity limits
Elevators and other small places sometimes get packed to capacity. Now, keep these areas under 50% capacity at all times. And, if more than one individual is present, make sure face coverings are being used. Also, display a reminder of these rules at every stop, entry, or departure (and inside) of an elevator or hoist. If there are other places this might happen, post reminders there, too.
Keep contact logs of attendance and employee roles on jobsites
In any situation where two or more employees might be in proximity, log it. Keep your attendance records current at all times. They may become important for contract tracing should your site have a case of COVID-19.
Complete, submit, and display your acknowledgement of requirements
When Department of Business inspectors drop by, they'll be looking to see that your NYC construction restart also has a site plan in place and that it's clearly posted. You'll want to make sure you display your confirmation that you're aware of the NYS Interim Guidelines.
Non-compliance with NYC construction restart requirements
For the safety of you, your employees, and their families, make sure to follow all guidelines, provide ongoing safety training, and consistently check for any updates. Not complying with construction restart requirements can mean fines up to $5,000 per violation or a stopping work entirely.