As Cases Surge, NAHB Calls for Another COVID-19 Safety Stand Down

NAHB encourages members and all other residential construction companies to halt work for at least 10 minutes the week of Jan. 11-15, 2021, for a COVID-19 Jobsite Safety Stand Down to remind workers what they should do to keep themselves safe from coronavirus and to help reduce its spread.

A home building crew stands down for COVID safety training in April 2020.[/caption] After the success of the first COVID-19 stand down in April, NAHB and its construction industry partners are facilitating a second round of pandemic-specific safety training in the wake of the national post-holiday surge in infections.

As part of the safety stand down, members are being asked to reiterate coronavirus safety precautions, such as wearing face coverings, maintaining a distance of six feet between workers at all times, cleaning and sanitizing frequently used tools, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis, ensuring the proper sanitation of common surfaces and equipment, and providing safe, clean, and accessible restrooms and adequate hand-washing stations.

Who Should Participate?

Construction of single-family and multifamily housing has been deemed an "essential infrastructure business" allowing construction to continue. Small and large construction companies, residential construction contractors and subcontractors should all participate in the stand down.

Three Steps to Hold Your Own Stand Down

1. Prepare. Compile the information you will need for the stand down.
2. Cover the basics. As COVID-19 cases surge, stress the importance of preventing the virus spread by encouraging workers to following basic infection prevention measures.
3. Hold your stand down. Present the information to the workers, keeping it short and simple. The safety information can be distributed digitally (through email and/or text).

NAHB and other construction industry partners have also developed a comprehensive Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction that outlines the steps every employer and employee should take to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. It describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures to be taken on the job site, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures and what to do if a worker becomes sick.

NAHB has also launched a new initiative focused on member mental health and wellbeing. The resources available so far focus on mental health during the pandemic, and can be especially helpful for builders and workers struggling with the challenges faced in 2020.