Blueline’s COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan

Blueline Associates Inc. (“Blueline”) takes the health and safety of our employees very seriously. With the spread of the coronavirus or “COVID-19,” a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we all will remain vigilant in mitigating the outbreak. Blueline is a proud part of the construction industry, which has been deemed “essential” during this Declared National Emergency. In order to be safe and maintain operations, we have developed this COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan to be implemented, to the extent feasible and appropriate, throughout Blueline and at all our jobsites. Blueline has also identified a team of employees to monitor the related guidance that U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) continue to make available.

This Plan is based on information available from the State of California, CDC and OSHA at the time of its development, and is subject to change based on further information provided by the CDC, OSHA, and other public officials. Blueline may also amend this Plan based on new information and operational needs.

Blueline has instituted the following protective measures at all jobsites:

General Safety Policies and Rules

  • Construction and maintenance activities within occupied office buildings, and other establishments, present unique hazards with regards to COVID-19 exposures. Everyone working within such establishments should evaluate the specific hazards when determining best practices related to COVID-19.
  • Any employee/contractor/visitor showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to leave the jobsite immediately and return home.
  • During this work, employees will sanitize the work areas upon arrival, throughout the workday, and immediately before departure. Blueline will provide approved cleaners and disinfectant found to be effective against COVID-19 for this purpose.
  • Employees should ask other occupants to keep a personal distance of six (6) feet at a minimum. Workers should wash or sanitize hands immediately before starting and after completing the work.
  • Site deliveries will be permitted but should be properly coordinated with the site superintendent. Delivery personnel should remain in their vehicles if possible.
  • Safety meetings will be by Zoom or similar teleconference means, if possible. When in person meetings are required, attendance will be collected verbally, the Superintendent will sign-in each attendee. During any in-person safety meetings, avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people and participants must remain at least six (6) feet apart.
  • Employees will avoid physical contact with others and shall direct others (co- workers/contractors/visitors) to increase personal space to at least six (6) feet, where possible.
  • In-person meetings will be eliminated to the extent possible and conducted via Zoom or similar means.
  • Breaks and lunches will be staggered if possible and when required to allow for proper separation between each person. Employees should not eat together or share food. If food sharing is observed, the employees will be sent home for the remainder of the day.
  • Handwashing stations with soap and water will be made available where practical. However, if unavailable, alcohol-based hand sanitizer or other CDC approved means for hand sanitization is to be used.
  • Employees shall not share tools and equipment. To the extent tools must be shared, the Blueline will provide approved COVID-19 disinfectant to clean tools before and after use. When cleaning tools and equipment, consult manufacturing recommendations for proper cleaning techniques and restrictions.
  • Where possible crews/staff will be divided into groups so that projects can continue working effectively in the event that one of the divided teams is required to quarantine.
  • Employees are not to car-pool unless they are from the same household.
  • If feasible, each employee should use/drive the same truck or piece of equipment every shift.
  • All workers are to use single serve water bottles only for their individual use. No shared or community water jugs are allowed.

Each person entering the site must wash or sanitize their hands at the Point of Entry or designated washing station prior to entering the site.

Each person entering the site must have the following personnel protective equipment (PPE) on prior to entering the site and must always be worn.

  • Hardhat
  • Safety Glasses
  • Closed toed boots or other approved safety footwear.
  • Safety vest or safety shirt.
  • Face mask or other similar face covering. Use of medical grade masks are discouraged unless required for the task to be completed.
  • Gloves
  • Any other PPE as may be required to complete their task (fall protection, hearing protection, etc.)

Blueline has implemented house cleaning procedures to help maintain a clean and safe site. These include:

Clean and sanitize any hand washing facilities, portable wash stations, jobsite restroom areas, or other enclosed spaces daily with disinfectants that are effective against COVID-19.

Frequently clean and disinfect all high touch areas, including entry and exit areas, high traffic areas, rest rooms, hand washing areas, high touch surfaces, tools, and equipment.

Employees performing cleaning will be issued proper personal protective equipment (“PPE”), such as nitrile, latex, or vinyl gloves and gowns, as recommended by the CDC.

Any trash collected from the jobsite will be changed frequently by someone wearing nitrile, latex, or vinyl gloves.

Any portable jobsite toilets should be cleaned by the leasing company at least twice per week and disinfected on the inside. Blueline will ensure that hand cleaning dispensers are always filled. Frequently touched items (i.e. door pulls and toilet seats) will be disinfected frequently.

Vehicles and equipment/tools should be cleaned at least once per day and before change in operator or rider.

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at any jobsite, the following will take place:

  • Immediately remove the infected individual from the jobsite with directions to seek medical care.
  • Each location the infected worker was at must be decontaminated and sanitized by an outside vendor certified in hazmat clean ups, and work in these locations must cease until decontamination and sanitization is complete.
  • The County Public Health Department must be notified immediately and any additional requirements per the County health officials must be completed, including full compliance with any tracing efforts by the County.

Blueline will ensure that any disinfection shall be conducted using one of the following:

  1. Common EPA-registered household disinfectant.
  2. Alcohol solution with at least 60% alcohol.
  3. Diluted household bleach solutions (if appropriate for surface).

Given the fast-developing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, Blueline may modify this Plan on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions concerning this Plan, please contact Allan Odell at (925) 462-2200.