Construction sites in Pa. must follow coronavirus safety guidelines when projects resume
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Construction crews must wear masks and have hand-washing stations at sites when workers return to work next week, according to guidelines laid out by Gov. Tom Wolf.
Wolf shut down most construction projects when he ordered non-life-sustaining businesses closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. As part of a plan to gradually reopen the economy, construction work is permitted to resume May 1.
“My administration has taken measured, aggressive steps to protect public health and safety, including strictly limiting the types of businesses and projects that may continue to operate during this unprecedented time,” Wolf said in a statement.
Those efforts, he said, are working, which is why some sections of the economy will begin to reopen in the coming weeks.
“We recognize that the construction industry is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy,” he said, “and may operate safely with stringent guidance in place.”
Construction employers and employees will be held to the secretary of health’s order on business safety measures from earlier this month.
That means everyone at a work site must wear a mask unless they are unable to for medical reasons, and everyone must continue to maintain a safe social distance. If someone falls ill and has a probable or confirmed case of covid-19, the business must follow the cleaning protocols detailed in the order.
Businesses also will have to appoint pandemic safety officers for each project or work site, Wolf said, and if it’s a large-scale project, each contractor must appoint such an officer.
For residential projects, no more than four people can be on the job site at any time, although that does not include those who require temporary access and aren’t part of the construction process.
Wolf left open the option for local governments to impose stricter requirements.
The guidelines are available on the governor’s website.