Three ‘safety stand down’ steps from the NAHB

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) continues to place emphasis on safety.

Next week (Jan. 11 to Jan. 15), the association is encouraging members and residential construction companies to halt work for at least 10 minutes for a COVID-19 Jobsite Safety Stand Down. 

The NAHB has provided “three steps” that should be part of all safety stoppages and training programs next week:

• Prepare: Compile the information you will need for the stand down. NAHB has developed detailed blueprints — in English and Spanish — for builders and trade contractors to conduct their COVID-19 safety stand downs.
• 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.
• 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).

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.

The 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.

Earlier this week, the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) announced that it was also urging members to take part in the stand down. A similar work stoppage, for the sake of COVID-19 safety and training, took place last April.