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COVID-19: Garland’s Response

Who knew three months ago that an online QR code scanner (pictured on the right) & newly created remobilization protocols were going to be so important to us in the construction industry to keep all of our subs, clients, and vendors safe. No one could have predicted what we are currently enduring as a community and as a nation, but as a locally owned and operated business, we are doing our very best to be safe and flexible during these trying times.

While construction was temporarily closed for a few months in the spring, our team continued to work together remotely, preparing for the eventual re-opening of jobsites. During the time when job sites were closed, we were able to utilize several different technology platforms, allowing us to have virtual meetings, remote access and various team planning sessions.   Now, we are 100% back up and running and could not be more excited. Portions of our staff will be returning to our downtown office, keeping in mind social distancing, to make sure everyone is safely working. We have established onsite guidelines and protocols for each job and have properly trained our superintendents who will be handling our pre-work screening process. In addition, daily check-ins have been created through Microsoft Forms where each worker/visitor is able to scan a unique code to then bring them to a form, filling in questions pertaining to potential exposure and overall health. You can view these check-ins by clicking on the first tab below. This type of technology has made our process of beginning work again extremely efficient and safe.

Please read through our guidelines & protocols below that are posted at each job site. We are doing our best to slow the spread and we are all in this together!

Daily QR Code Check-In
Standard Recommendations to Prevent Transmission of the Spread

Good Hand Hygiene

Washing your hands often will protect you from germs.  If soap and hot water are not available, the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol alcohol content) is strongly recommended.

Avoid Close Contact

Avoid close contact with those that are sick or are showing symptoms of the disease through practicing social distancing (a minimum of 6’ apart).

Stay at Home When Sick

If possible, abide by stay-at-home guidelines for the recommended period of time of 14-days.

Cover Your Mouth and Nose

Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing; this may prevent those that are around you from getting sick.  Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses are spread by cough, sneezing and unclean hands.

Practice Good Health Habits

During flu season and the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine shot and other everyday preventative actions to help stop the spread of germs.

Work Site Risk Prevention Practices

General

At the start of each shift, confirm with all employees that they are healthy (please refer to on site checklist for further details around determining health of worker).

Transportation to and from Work Site

All employees shall drive to work site/parking area in a single occupant vehicle. Contractors/ State staff shall not ride together in the same vehicle.

When entering a machine or vehicle which you are not sure you were the last person to use it, make sure that you wipe down all commonly touched areas up-to-and-including the interior and exterior door handles, gear shifts, buttons, switches and/or steering wheels  with disinfectant prior to operation.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

We will have a 100% glove policy. All construction workers will be required to wear cut-resistant gloves or the equivalent. Gloves to be provided by Subcontractor.

Use of eye protection (safety goggles/face shields) is recommended.

Use of masks is required. The N95 is the preferred mask, however if this type is not available due to supply shortages refer to the following for information from the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-asks.html)

All subcontractors will be required to provide their own PPE. All single-use PPE will be required to be disposed of at the end of a shift in a container provided by Garland Building Company. Reusable PPE must be cleaned by individual user thoroughly before returning to the site for the next shift.

Garland Building Company will provide a hand washing station for use on all jobsites with hand soap, paper towels and trash receptacles.

Additional use of PPE such as work boots, hard hats etc. are still in effect on all projects per Garland Building Company safety policy.

On-Site Distancing

In instances where it is possible, workers should maintain separation of 6′ from each other per CDC guidelines (please refer to social distancing sheet attached for more info).

Multi-person activities will be limited where feasible (two-person lifting activities).

Large gathering places on the site such as shacks and break areas will be eliminated, and instead small break areas will be used with seating limited to ensure social distancing.

Site Cleaning

We will clean all high contact surfaces a minimum of twice a day to minimize the spread of germs in areas that people touch frequently. This includes high traffic areas, loading areas, restrooms and washing areas as well as desks and/or field offices.

Wash Stations

Each job has a designated hand washing station with hot water, soap & paper towels.

All onsite workers must help to maintain and keep stations clean.

If a worker notices soap or towels are running low or out, immediately notify supervisors.

Garbage barrels will be placed next to the hand wash station for disposal of tissues/towels.

Please refer to hand washing guidelines posted at each hand washing station for detailed instructions on how to thoroughly wash one’s hands.

Pre-Task Planning & Deliveries

All material deliveries are to be cleaned prior to arrival of property. Only screened personnel to remove items from truck. Driver to remain in truck at all times.

Garland Building Company to coordinate all work on site with subcontractors to ensure protocols and precautions are maintained.

All deliveries will be scheduled with the building to ensure protocols are being followed prior to delivery.

General Guidelines and Procedures

Human Contact

No handshaking.

Washing your hands often will protect you from germs.  If soap and hot water are not available, the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol alcohol content) is strongly recommended.

A “No Congregation” policy is in effect; individuals must implement social distancing by maintaining a minimum distance of 6’ from other individuals.

Please always keep all crews a minimum of 6’ apart to eliminate the potential of cross contamination.

Please maintain social distancing separation during breaks and lunch as well as at elevator queues and in restrooms.

Non-essential visitors are not allowed on site.

Meeting Guidelines

Avoid face-to-face meetings – critical situations requiring in-person discussion must follow social distancing guidelines.

Conduct all meetings via conference calls or video conferencing, if possible. Do not convene meetings of more than 10 people. All meetings attendees must still social distance from one another by sitting at a minimum of 6’ apart for all face-to-face meetings.

We recommend use of cell phones, texting, web meeting sites and conference calls for project discussion(s).

All individual work crew meetings/toolbox talks should be held outside and follow social distancing guidelines.

Personal Items/Practices

Be sure to use your own water bottle and do not share.

To avoid external contamination, we recommend everyone bring food from home.

No sharing of tools or other equipment or devices without properly disinfecting them.

Maintain proper personal hygiene.

Cover coughing or sneezing with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands, if no tissue is available then cough into your elbow.

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands.

To avoid sharing germs, please clean up after yourself. DO NOT make others responsible for moving, unpacking, and packing up your personal belongings.

Jobsite Exposure Situations

Individual(s) Exhibits Symptoms of COVID-19

In the event an individual shows symptoms of COVID-19, they will be asked to remain at home until they are symptom-free without the use of medications (e.g., fever reducers or cough suppressants) for 72 hours or four to five full days after symptoms improve. If possible, the individual(s) will be asked to obtain a doctor’s note before returning to work.

Individual(s) Tests Positive for COVID-19

Individual(s) who test positive for COVID-19 will be instructed to follow the advice of a qualified medical professional and self-quarantine. Specifically, individual(s) who have tested positive should not return to work until they have been symptom-free for fourteen full days. Individuals(s) who have tested positive and been hospitalized should consult their medical care provider to determine when they can return to work. If possible, individual(s) will be asked to obtain a doctor’s note before returning to work.

An Individual Comes into Contact with another Individual Who Has Tested Positive for COVID-19

Individuals who have been in close contact with another individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be instructed to self-quarantine. Individuals should self-quarantine for at least 14 days from the last day they had contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19. If it was an individual who tested positive, Garland Building Company will conduct an investigation to determine who may have had close contact with said individual. Those individuals will also be instructed to self-quarantine

Garland Building Company Safety Policy Inquiries

If you have any safety inquiries our questions about our policies, please contact Craig Garland at [email protected]