Alberto Mordoki on Precautions Contractors are Taking when Working on Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Contractors often work inside homes when performing renovations. During the current global pandemic, it is not easy for families to vacate their homes during the renovation process and as such, contractors have to be extra aware of how to keep their clients and workers safe.
California construction expert Alberto Mordoki and his peers are having to navigate the current COVID-19 threat while managing their construction crews. Mordoki runs a family construction business in Fullerton, California, which specializes in various residential and commercial construction projects, as well as drywall and suspended ceilings. He describes the precautions contractors take to help ensure the safety of clients and workers on site.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Contractors are staying home and telling their crew members to stay home if they experience any symptoms of the virus. They are following the current CDC guidelines for isolation if they are sick or if they test positive for the virus. Contractors are also requiring their workers and themselves to quarantine if a family member contracts COVID-19.
Contractors and workers maintain a distance of at least six feet apart and wear face masks when working on homes, says Alberto Mordoki. They limit the number of workers in small spaces such as rooms, elevators, vehicles, and trailers.
Disinfecting and Handwashing
Contractors ensure the safety of everyone by requiring all tools, equipment, work stations, and vehicles to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use. They also limit tool sharing when possible. Crew members should also disinfect frequently touched surfaces including ladders, handrails, doorknobs, and portable toilets. Disinfecting occurs at the beginning and end of each shift.
Contractors also follow CDC guidelines for proper hygiene, including washing hands or using hand sanitizer at the beginning and end of each shift or break, after using the restroom, dealing with food, sneezing, coughing, nose blowing, and/or using shared tools.
In addition, shares Alberto Mordoki, contractors ensure there are multiple accessible hand washing and hand sanitizing stations around the job site as well as hand drying stations and touch-free trash receptacles. Contractors go over proper hand washing techniques with their workers to help avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Alberto Mordoki on Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment
When possible, contractors are staggering work schedules to limit the number of people on a job site at one time. They are also reducing in-person meetings (including client meetings) and are restricting the number of individuals allowed at meetings. Thanks to technology, most of these meetings take place virtually using video conferencing software.
Contractors like Alberto Mordoki are conducting hazard assessments and providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for any situation where a hazard is likely and COVID-19 safety precautions can’t be met, such when two workers must be less than six feet from each other to get the job done.
Contractors appoint a safety and health officer on each job site. The safety and health officer is responsible for taking care of each of the procedures outlined above and for responding to COVID-19 concerns. This approach helps to ensure that managers, foremen, and crew members address all corona virus-related risks.
