What should I do as a construction worker to protect myself and slow the spread?

Possible sources of exposure include close contact with co-workers or members of the public with COVID-19 or putting hands to the nose, mouth, or eyes after touching surfaces contaminated with the virus or handling items that other infected people by COVID-19 have touched. Steps you can take include:

• Inform your supervisor and stay home if you have symptoms.
• Follow the measures recommended by the health ministry if you are sick. You should not return to work until the criteria for suspending home isolation have been met, in consultation with healthcare providers, your employer, and state and local health departments.
• Follow the precautions recommended by the health ministry and inform your supervisor if you are healthy, but living with a family member with COVID-19.
• Limit close contact with other people by keeping a distance of at least 6 feet, if possible.
• Limit the number of workers in small work areas such as elevators, trailers, and vehicles and construction site spaces, if possible.
• CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant COVID-19 transmission in the community.
• Cloth face covers can prevent people who do not know they have the virus from transmitting it to others.
• Cloth face covers are NOT surgical masks or respirators and are not suitable replacements for such equipment in workplaces where the use of masks or respirators is recommended or required.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as shared tools, machines, vehicles and other equipment, handrails, ladders, door handles, and portable toilets. Periodically clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched during shifts, but also:
• Before and after each shift - After someone has used your vehicle, tools, or workstation
• Avoid exchanging tools, if possible.
• Practice proper hand hygiene. It is an important measure to control infections. When possible, wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Key times to wash your hands include:
  • 1. Before and after work shifts and breaks.
    2. After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
    3. After going to the bathroom.
    4. Before eating, and before and after preparing meals.
    5. After touching objects that have been handled by co-workers, such as tools and equipment.
    6. Before putting on and after taking off work gloves.
    7. After putting on, touching or taking off the cloth face cover.
    8. Before putting on or taking off eye or face protection (safety glasses, goggles, etc.)
    9. Avoid touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
    10. Use tissues when coughing, sneezing, or touching your face. Throw away used tissues in the trash and wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol, if a sink is not available for washing.