b'OSHA Updateand include the following elements: The following is an outline of the fifteen elements:8. Minimize the negative impact of quarantine on isolated workers. 1. Assign a workplace coordinator to be responsible for COVID19 issues on your behalf. I feel that this could be9. Isolate workers who show symptoms at work. yourcorporatesafetydirector,ifhe/shehasbeensufficiently trained on COVID19 issues.10.Performanenhancedcleaninganddisinfectionafter people with suspected or confirmed COVID19 have been 2.Performathoroughhazardassessmenttoidentifyin the facility. potentialworkplacehazardsrelatedtoCOVID19. 11. Provide guidance on screening and testing. 3. Identify the measures that are going to be necessary for you to limit the spread of COVID19 following the12. Record reported COVID19 infections and deaths. This established OSHA hierarchy of controls. This would entail:must be done under the recordkeeping procedures found in (1)eliminatingthehazard;(2)employingengineering 29 CFR 1904. controls;(3)establishingworkplaceadministrative policies;(4)employingPPE;and(5)prioritizingand13. Implementprotectionsfromretaliationandsetupan controlling of the most to least effective ways to protectanonymousprocessforworkerstovoiceconcernsabout workers. OSHA expands on these procedures which I feelCOVID19 related hazards. repeat many of the actions we have seen before. They are:14.MakeaCOVID19vaccineorvaccinationseriesA.Eliminate the hazard by separating and available at no cost to all eligible employees. sending home infected or potentially infectedpeople.15. Do not distinguish between workers who are vaccinated and those who are not. B.Implement physical distancing in all communal work areas.Thisarticledoesnotpermitmetogointothedetails necessary to supplement each of the points listed above. I C. Install barriers where physical distancing can urge you to go to the OSHA website and review the entire not be maintained.guidance document and determine which of the preceding 15stepsarenecessaryforyouremployees,whetherthey D. Use face coverings.workatyouroffice,constructionworklocationsor manufacturingfacilities.Basedonmyexperiencedealing E. Improved ventilation.with OSHA, if you are inspected, you will be judged on the effectiveness of your program in protecting your employees F. Use applicable PPE to protect workers from fromCOVID19exposure.Remember,thisdocument,exposure.including everything I have listed above and the supporting detail, has been posted on the OSHA website and therefore G. Provide supplies necessary for good hygieneisavailableforreviewbyyouremployeesandtheirpractices.designatedrepresentatives.Themessagehereisthatyou may well be measured by your employees by how you have H. Perform routine cleaning and disinfection.addressed each of these 15 points at your company. If they feel that your compliance with this guidance document is The remaining actions stated in the guidance documentlacking,theymaywellfileanemployeecomplaintwith include the following:OSHAagainstyourcompany.Whichbringsmetomylast paragraph. 4.Considerprotectionsforworkersathigherriskfor severe illness through supportive policies and practices.I have found that while many contractors have established pandemicpreventionprograms,notmanycontractorsare 5. Establish a system for communicating effectively withmaking sufficient efforts to ensure that all aspects of their workers and in the language they understand.programs are being effectively implemented in their branch locationsand/oronALLjobsites.Thesameistruefor 6. Educate and train workers on your COVID19 policiesmanufacturersanddistributorsthatoperatefromseveral and procedures again in the language they understand.locations. OSHA continues to receive employee complaints7.InstructworkerswhoareinfectedorpotentiallyCONTINUED ON PAGE 14 infected to stay at home and isolate or quarantine. Page 12CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL'