Essential Ways Contractors & Subs Must Respond to Coronavirus

There is a life-threatening element to this new virus. It causes the disease COVID-19 and can affect important organ systems in both healthy and vulnerable patients. The many unknowns around the illness are leading to a stock market slump and less demand for new work.

Meanwhile, credible sources say the threat is being blown out of proportion. Many people repost this information and assert we all should just go about business as usual.

Thankfully, there is a third way to respond: prepare.

While you shouldn’t let the coronavirus panic influence your decisions, it’s important to prepare according to guidelines recommended by reputable sources.

As an employer, you play a pivotal role in any outbreak. You are uniquely situated to communicate the facts and protect employees from exposure at work. 

I boiled down the advice of organizations like the WHO and the CDC to ten essential response tactics for contractors and subcontractors.

  1. Follow reputable sources and regulatory bodies (and encourage your employees to do the same)
  2. Communicate with your employees frequently
  3. Listen to your employees’ fears and feedback
  4. Create an infection control plan (and fund it)
  5. Train your employees on your infection control measures
  6. Make a contingency plan to continue services
  7. Equip your employees to carry out your contingency plan
  8. Communicate with clients and customers frequently
  9. Protect medically vulnerable and temporary employees
  10. Continually improve

Follow Reputable Sources and Regulatory Bodies

The online conversation about coronavirus is buzzing. To ensure your organization doesn’t receive, or worse, act on misinformation, follow these reliable sources:

The World Health Organization (WHO) updates its coronavirus page daily. It also publishes formal situation reports each day.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is another important source of information, with a website section dedicated to coronavirus updates and resources for employers and the general public.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a safety and health section dedicated to coronavirus as well, with sections dedicated to risk assessment, applicable standards, and control and prevention tips.

If you’re covered by a state OSHA, be sure to check that website for information as well.

Industry associations, such as the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA), the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and many more, are also valuable resources.

If your company does business internationally, you will also need to be aware of the quarantines, travel guidelines, border closures, airport closures, and transportation guidelines everywhere you work.

Encourage your employees to follow reputable sources as well, and include your source of information in your company communication on coronavirus.

 

 

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