Construction site safety during shutdown and reopening

Today’s changing business environment amidst COVID-19 activity has led to unplanned construction site closures, and now planned re-openings. Shutting down mid-project is not easy and can create unique safety risks that need to be addressed before work fully stops. What’s more, reopening a site carries a slew of other considerations, especially in an environment with new and often changing federal, local, and state guidelines to help limit the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing protocols and new handwashing and site cleaning recommendations.

Here we detail some guidelines to help support the safe reopening and potential future closure of job sites, in light of uncertainty around COVID-19 and its impact on construction over the coming weeks and months.

Returning to work on a suspended construction site
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted construction sites across the country, and many have been placed on hold.  Contactors returning to work on a suspended construction site may face unique hazards.

Workforce and Communication: Address the needs of your workers.  Your communication style and content could have a direct impact on the successful completion of the project.  During the pre-planning process consider the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended practices that you will bring forward, as well as addressing mental health issues.

Fall protection: Fall protection systems may need to be inspected to ensure they will work effectively.

• Are floor hole covers in good condition and properly labeled?
• Are personal fall arrest anchorage points still acceptable?
• Should suspended scaffolding be re-inspected?

Public safety: Protecting the public from injury during construction is always a primary concern of any project team.  During your planning and project restart preparation, inspect and remove any loose or damaged objects from the project that could fall/fly and injure the public, and reestablish perimeter protection, traffic control, covered walkways and lighting.

Temporary Structures and Infra-structure: Temporary structures that were left in place will need to be inspected prior to starting up the project.  Scaffolds, stair towers and personnel hoists associated with the project should be inspected prior to use. Shoring or re-shoring should be inspected per the shoring engineers’ recommendations and drawings.

Structural Integrity: It is important to inspect the structure to see if any degradation has occurred.  Incomplete or unfinished structures should be evaluated prior to restart (such as structural steel, precast, duct runs, and pan decking systems).

Property Protection: Protecting the structure under construction remains a priority, and security and fire protection will need to be reviewed.

• Does the project location still require the use of on-site security?
• Will fire prevention systems such as sprinklers, standpipes and alarm systems need to be inspected prior to project restart?

Mold and OD prevention: Rodents and insects may have infiltrated the site. Water may have impacted the structure. The damage they may have caused will need to be addressed before startup.  Investigate the following:

• Has any insect or rodent damage occurred? How will it be addressed?
• How will HVAC systems be restarted?

Major Equipment: The safe restart of major equipment such as cranes is essential to a project.  Consider the following:

• How will cranes be restarted safely?
• Will your rigging be inspected prior to use?

Project Records: Properly maintaining your project records could have a direct impact on your ability get back on track and schedule.  Consider:

• Video documenting the site’s condition prior to startup
• Re-inventory all material and equipment

Environmental Risks: Environmental risks may have changed on a suspended site since shutdown. Be sure to assess the following:

• Possible mold growth and indoor air quality
• Leaks from previously installed piping
• Damage from vandalism and valves, tanks, etc.
• Dewatering contaminated rain water
• Unmanaged site runoff

Contingency Plan: Lastly it is important to consider that the pandemic may require additional work suspension or site shutdown on a long term project.  Consider reviewing your business continuity plan in anticipation of future disruptions.

Download PDF

Restart guide

Safe worksite closure considerations
To help protect your workers, the public, and your business, consider creating a shutdown plan focusing on the following key areas:

• Public safety: remove or secure all loose materials, tools, and equipment on open floors and roofs.
• Property protection: make sure the building envelope is watertight. If there is a need for additional protection, such as temporary drains, water diversions, etc., install them prior to site shutdown.
• Temporary structures: remove or secure any exterior scaffolds.
• Inclement weather conditions: establish a contingency plan addressing severe weather(hail/wind/flood) throughout the shutdown.
• Record retention: secure and maintain all contract documents, insurance records, and project logs in a safe, accessible location offsite.

Partial shutdown guidance
If you are shifting to a partial shutdown with fewer on-site workers, consider these guidelines:

• If workers will be alone on the jobsite, make sure they are able to reach help in the event of an accident.
• Make sure the job can be done safely with limited workers on-site. Evaluate specific tasks, as well as the use of tools and equipment.
• Some job tasks require more than one person on-site. If this is the case, refer to local regulations on lone workers.

For additional guidance, download our construction site shutdown guide.