IBEW News

COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines for Construction Trades

       North America’s Building Trades and the Center for Construction Research and Training have issued guidelines for how to protect yourself on the job during the COVID-19 outbreak.

North America’s Building Trades Unions issued specific advice for construction industry employers to protect IBEW members and other construction professionals from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.

“Most of this is commonsense guidance that everyone should immediately take to heart,” said International President Lonnie R. Stephenson. “We’re thankful that our building trades partners are on the case alongside us, advising all of us in the industry about working as safely as possible during this complicated and rapidly evolving world crisis.”

In partnership with the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights, the NABTU recommends that construction employers:

For construction workers on the job within health care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, the NABTU advises employers to offer the infection control risk assessment training provided by the CPWR.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has further COVID-19 guidance for employers.

Meanwhile, the NABTU also reminds all workers — including IBEW members in every one of the union’s branches — to continue taking the following disease-prevention steps:

Further, the building trades federations asks workers and employers alike to regularly check the CPWR’s COVID-19 resource page for updates, as well as official notices and guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the CDC. Guidelines are changing quickly as the numbers of infected individuals grows, so visiting these sites every few days is advised to keep up on the latest guidance.

The IBEW and the National Electrical Contractors Association signed a National Disease Emergency Response Agreement on March 16 to advise IBEW construction members of their rights on the job during the COVID-19 crisis.

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