Infectious Disease Control Plan - COVID-19 - Flipbook - Page 59
OVERVIEW
On March 19, 2020, the State Public Health Officer and Director of the California
Department of Public Health issued an order requiring most Californians to stay at home
to disrupt the spread of COVID-19 among the population.
The impact of COVID-19 on the health of Californians is not yet fully known. Reported
illness ranges from very mild (some people have no symptoms) to severe illness that may
result in death. Certain groups, including people aged 65 or older and those with serious
underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, are at higher
risk of hospitalization and serious complications. Transmission is most likely when people
are in close contact with an infected person, even if that person does not have any
symptoms or has not yet developed symptoms.
Precise information about the number and rates of COVID-19 by industry or
occupational groups, including among critical infrastructure workers, is not available at
this time. There have been multiple outbreaks in a range of workplaces, indicating that
workers are at risk of acquiring or transmitting COVID-19 infection. Examples of these
workplaces include long-term care facilities, prisons, food production, warehouses,
meat processing plants, and grocery stores.
As stay-at-home orders are modified, it is essential that all possible steps be taken to
ensure the safety of workers and the public.
Key prevention practices include:
✓ physical distancing to the maximum extent possible,
✓ use of face coverings by employees (where respiratory protection is not
required) and customers/clients,
✓ frequent handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfection,
✓ training employees on these and other elements of the COVID-19 prevention
plan.
In addition, it will be critical to have in place appropriate processes to identify new
cases of illness in workplaces and, when they are identified, to intervene quickly and
work with public health authorities to halt the spread of the virus.
Purpose
This This document provides guidance for the construction industry to support a safe,
clean environment for workers. The guidance is not intended to revoke or repeal any
employee rights, either statutory, regulatory or collectively bargained, and is not
exhaustive, as it does not include county health orders, nor is it a substitute for any
existing safety and health-related regulatory requirements such as those of Cal/OSHA.1
Stay current on changes to public health guidance and state/local orders, as the
COVID-19 situation continues. Cal/OSHA has more safety and health guidance on their
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Construction Employers and Employees
webpage. CDC has additional guidance for businesses and employers.
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