COVID-19 pandemic
An Update From CBR
Safety is our top priority at Cleveland Building Restoration, and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) doesn’t stop that. COVID-19 has many looking for answers and wondering how long this will last and what the future will look like after.
The safety of our team and those we serve is always on our minds, especially during times like these. We have constructed these steps in accordance with the guidance and mandates from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for what we can do in this uncertain time:
- We will be adding new processes and protocols to the ones we already have in place.
- Handwashing stations are delivered to projects that do not have access to these facilities.
- Our team will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect our team from both normal construction hazards and the pandemic.
- Hand sanitizer will continue to be distributed to each employee.
- If any of our team members aren’t feeling well or is experiencing any respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath), they are to stay home. Likewise, if they begin to experience any of these symptoms during the workday, they are to go home and others who have worked with the individual that day are alerted of the situation.
- We will be frequently and thoroughly washing our hands for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (minimum of 60% alcohol) may also be used but washing with soap is advised.
- No vehicles will be shared. All drivers will be assigned their own.
- All vehicles will be cleaned with disinfectant regularly.
- Sneezes and coughs are to be covered by elbows or shoulders and not hands.
- No outside vendors are permitted into our facility without prior approval by CBR’s president.
- There will be no handshaking or any other form of direct contact.
- Employees are asked to remain 6 feet away from others to help avoid the spread of sickness.
- Employees are asked to avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- To minimize the spreading of the virus, none of our crew members will be redistributed to other crews.
- Our team is to wipe down and disinfect work areas and equipment daily or throughout the day with EPA– and OSHA-approved cleaners.
- Portable toilets will be sent out to job sites for our crews and will not be shared with workers from other trades.
- Face-to-face meetings are to be replaced with phone calls when feasible.
- All employees are asked to avoid public gatherings and meetings.
- CBR employees are strongly encouraged to restrain from using other’s phones, desks, tools, and equipment when possible.
- No visitors are permitted to the workplace. When employees are working in a building, they are to keep the door locked. If on a worksite, they are to place signs and zone off the area.
- When tools are shared, they are to be cleaned with disinfectant throughout the workday.
- No personal tools will be shared.
- Employees bring in their own water and are not to share any drinks with other crew members.
- Every crew member is to take their temperature before coming to work. Anyone with a fever greater than 100.4 will not be permitted into the workplace and will be sent home and written up for a serious safety violation and the possibility of termination.
- Once ill or exposed, employees are barred from coming to the workplace for a period of 14 days after a “medium” or “high-risk” exposure to the virus — generally meaning having been in close contact with someone who is known to be infected or having traveled from a high-risk region.
- We will continue to hold our “Daily Toolbox” meetings to discuss continued safety processes with specific modifications in place to ensure the safety and health of employees, including the minimum 6 foot distance requirements.
- We are following the new acts pertaining to sick leave and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
- We are taking guidance from the CDC, The Ohio Department of Health, OSHA, and Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OBWC).
- We are minimizing and as much as possible discontinuing the use of public areas in the office. This includes the following:
- Coffee maker – This is off limits. Drink coffee at home and bring in a thermos from home if desired.
- Copier – Wipe off before and after use. Disinfectant will be stationed at each device.
- Bathrooms – Wash your hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds.
- Lunchroom – This is off limits.
- Conference room – This is off limits.
- No food deliveries to the office. Pack your lunch and eat it alone in your office.
- Face-to-face interactions – There is to be a minimum of a 6-foot separation and use of technology is preferred (intercom, e-mail, cell phone, etc.). Use the intercom and phone system to discuss matters with other co-workers.
- A designated employee will be disinfecting throughout the day, in addition to each employee disinfecting the areas of use.
With all of this in mind, and following the Governor’s Orders, we will continue to serve our clients with the high quality of work that they’ve come to expect from us. We are in the business of restoration, so we understand that it takes hard work and processes to improve what we see around us. As new information comes out about the virus and ways to help lessen its spread, we will continue to adjust our processes and communicate with our clients as adjustments or changes occur.
CBR has been designated as an essential service during the stay-at-home order due to the fact that we provide a basic function of shelter to essential infrastructures. We will be protecting local hospitals, schools, public utilities, etc. to ensure that they may remain open and functional and serve the community around us. If you need to schedule a service from us, contact us today.