Weekly Safety Training Topic No. 2027


COVID-19 Close contact

The COVID-19 Pandemic is far from over and with most Stay-At-Home Orders expiring or lifted, we need to know how to conduct business going forward. If someone has close contact with an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19, then they should quarantine themselves for 14 days following the close contact. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers close contact to be within six feet of an individual that has tested positive for 15 minutes or more. This timeframe is set 48 hours before the positive individual has experienced symptoms of COVID-19. This could pose a problem if the employee has been working in close contact with other coworkers or trade partners on the project and finds out that they have been around someone that has tested positive in the past 48 hours. However, essential workers have different guidelines and if they take precautions and remain asymptomatic, they could continue to work.

If close contact has not been made but the employee has still been around someone who has tested positive or is suspected to be COVID-19 positive or they are deemed essential workers, then they would need to follow these guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

  • Pre-screen questionnaire before starting work regarding the employee’s condition regarding COVID-19 symptoms that have already started.
  • Regularly monitor the employee’s condition throughout the workday for COVID-19 symptoms onset.
  • Wear a cloth face mask at all times for at least 14 days after possible exposure.
  • Social distance yourself from others by at least six feet.
  • Clean and disinfect all commonly touch places and items, such as handrails, doorknobs, and tools.

During this time, employees should refrain from sharing tools and equipment to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If sharing is a must, those items shared must be cleaned and disinfected according to their specific manufacturer's guidelines. If an employee experiences COVID-19 symptoms during the workday, they must go home immediately, and cleaning/disinfecting must take place in the area they were in, the tools and equipment they were using. Anyone working in this area or around the employee should be considered exposed and should follow the above guidelines.

Remember, if you’re feeling sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, STAY HOME.

Seek advanced medical care if you are finding it difficult to breathe.

Download and print this Weekly Safety Training Topic with sign-in sheet.

The information and recommendations contained in this “Weekly Safety Training Topic” have been compiled from various sources believed to be reliable and represent the best current opinion on the subject. The Builders’ Association in no way guarantees, insures, or warrants the absolute correctness or sufficiency of any information contained within. The Builders’ Association expressly disclaims all liability and assumes no responsibility therewith.