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Subcontractors at a jobsite in California must have their temperatures checked before entering the jobsite.
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America has organized a nationwide Safety Stand Down focused on COVID-19. Today, hundreds of construction companies will stop work, break into small, socially-distanced groups and reinforce the new safety procedures and practices to protect workers and the public from the spread of COVID-19. At least one contract glazing company is participating in the Safety Stand Down, Comprehensive Glass Works (CGW), based in San Diego.
Jess Van Dien, project manager for the company, says the Safety Stand Down is for the good of CGW’s team and society. She says the company is participating in the event because “the AGC instructions for the safety stand down are in a clean format for our leadsman onsite to use as a checklist to make sure all precautions are relayed, understood and actions are followed through.”
CGW’s project teams plan to discuss the social distancing and sanitation protocols issued by San Diego County and three toolbox talks provided by the AGC.
The toolbox talks cover:
- Stopping the spread and protecting oneself from COVID-19;
- Keeping construction jobsites safe during the pandemic; and
- Stress and coping with COVID-19.
CGW has also placed posters around its shop and jobsites to remind others how to protect themselves and disinfect. Essential letters have been provided to its crews so they have proof for checkpoints that they are considered essential workers.
“[Emphasizing these practices] helps to know that we did our small part in cooperating with CDC guidelines,” says Van Dien. “Everyone who is an essential worker has the daily right to go home safely to their families.”
In order to protect its glaziers, CGW has terminated all installations that require the use of lifts because there is not enough room in the bed platforms to practice physical distancing. Buckets also are kept onsite to disinfect tools and materials touched and the crews must spend their break times separated to maintain 6 feet of distance. It’s also taking longer for glaziers to enter the jobsite because they must wait in line for the general contractor to take all subcontractors’ temperatures.
“Our team has been very cooperative,” says Van Dien. “When this broke out our team was requesting information to resume installs safely. Just knowing that everyone was initially concerned is much appreciated.”
FINALLY, a company who is putting the national health crisis above personal profits. As patriots, amid this dangerous public health threat, business owners must put others’ lives ahead of their own economic self interests. We scaled back on March 19th to doing only urgent glass replacements in homes and businesses. I have been giving estimates for the “elective” and non-urgent repairs (one layer of dual pane broken only) and asked the customer to please work with us to wait on the actual repair until the Order to Stay at Home is lifted. I understand if some businesses want to continue to operate, but it is not wise, not the sacrifice that we are called to do for the good of all.
Thank you for taking a stand. There has been no directive as to what “Essential Business” really is vis a vis the glass industry. Glazers parading in and out of people’s homes is not a good thing unless it is really urgent service.
My only concern is for the glass workers, mostly in the shop, who may be undocumented and not qualify for the relief the government will provide. They are so valuable. We need to advocate for them.
Blessings,
Nancy Espinoza
Glassman to the Rescue
Sacramento, CA
Thank you for the praise Nancy,
On CGW’s large commercial contracts, the goal is to continue working with confidence That each employee knows their rights and practices safety tips on and off the site.
Not to be concerned. CGW’s shop employees have the same rights as the field, provided by the state of CA and are all documented.
Also by preparing aluminum extrusions with a fabrication machine (like a CNC for storefront), only 1-2 employees are needed at a time and it eliminates multiple hands touching the material.