Construction Update
May 19, 2020
WRITTEN BY TOM NALLY, SENIOR ADVISOR
As part of the roadmap prepared by the Governor’s Reopening Advisory Board on May 18, construction joins essential businesses (already open), manufacturing, worship, and hospitals and community health centers as part of the first step of “Reopening Phase 1.” Construction was chosen not only for its importance to the economy but also because physical distancing can be practiced more easily on many job sites.
As with all businesses and activities, construction sites will be required to follow Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards for reopening that consist of:
- Social distancing
- Hygiene protocols
- Staffing and operations requirements, and
- Cleaning and disinfecting
Sector Specific Workplace Safety Standards for Construction Sites to Address COVID-19, as of May 18, 2020, have also been prepared based on standards and protocols developed by DCAMM in March and April of this year. Those standards include designating a site-specific COVID-19 Officer for every site (except one to three family residences). The Officer shall submit daily reports to the Owner’s Representative and certify that the contractor and all subcontractors are in full compliance with the “COVID-19 Construction Safety Guidance.” Towns and cities may require the submittal of additional safety plans and site-specific risk analysis. The municipalities and state agencies funding or managing projects have joint enforcement responsibilities. A city or town may require the owner of a large project to hire an independent inspector to assist in enforcement on behalf of the municipality.
The standards provide details on the workplace safety standards as they apply to construction sites. The Board has also prepared a detailed list of Mandatory Safety Standards for Construction and a “Construction MA COVID-19 Checklist” for these standards.
The City of Boston has established a COVID-19 Safety Policy for Construction on April 17, 2020. On May 5, the City activated the submission process for required COVID-19 Safety Affidavits and COVID-19 Safety Plans for permitted construction work. The affidavit affirms that the work is or will be underway in accordance with the Safety Plan. Boston plans to expand construction work permitted in the city to align with the state’s list of allowed construction work. The key dates are:
- Prior to May 18 the City allowed only work it has defined as essential.
- Between May 18 and May 25, the City will allow essential construction as defined by the state that meets three criteria:
1) Permitted projects in compliance with and have filed a COVID-19 Safety Plan and signed affidavit
2) Sites are prepared to adhere to all criteria of their safety plan
3) Work is for hospitals, public schools, one to three-unit residential buildings, road and utility work, or other outdoor or open-air work, such as steel erection, roofing, and construction foundations.
- After May 25 the City will permit any construction type allowed by the Commonwealth.
The City of Cambridge is currently reviewing the state’s reopening plan and plans to expand currently allowed construction activity in the City in four phases:
- Phase 1, beginning May 25: add site safety prep work for previously permitted projects.
- Phase 2, beginning on June 1: add horizontal construction, city-building projects, 100% affordable housing developments, and larger buildings over 25,000 square feet previously permitted.
- Phase 3, tentatively beginning on June 15: add all remaining existing construction previously permitted.
- Phase 4, tentatively beginning on June 29: add new permitted projects.
