COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for KSB Build

Updated: Dec 1, 2020

Introduction:

KSB Build (DBA of Biba Construction) is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all of our workers, clients, guests and visitors. To ensure we have a safe and healthy workplace, KSB Build. has developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers and workers are all responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our workplaces and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our workers and management. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety and health of all persons in our workplaces.

The COVID-19 Preparedness Plan is administered by KSB Build’s Managing Partners who maintain the overall authority and responsibility for the plan. However, management and workers are equally responsible for supporting, implementing, complying with and providing recommendations to further improve all aspects of this COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Biba Construction’s managers and supervisors have our full support in enforcing the provisions of this plan.

Our workers are our most important assets. KSB Build is serious about the safety, health and protection of our workers. Worker involvement is essential in developing and implementing a successful COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. We have involved our workers in this process by an open communication policy which recognizes concerns of our managers and workers.

For the purposes of this guidance, a “worker” includes all workers engaged in work at a worksite. All workers, including subcontractors, independent contractors, vendors, delivery personnel, contract, seasonal, part-time or temporary workers, however categorized, who are present at the worksite to perform work, are covered by this COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. All workers are properly trained and informed to adhere to the worksite’s policies, protocols and practices as outlined within this guidance.

KSB Build’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows the industry guidance developed by the state of New York, which is based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York Department of Health guidelines for COVID-19. It addresses:

• Ensuring sick workers stay home and prompt isolation of sick persons;

• Social distancing – workers must be at least six-feet apart;

• Worker hygiene, PPE and source controls, including face coverings;

• Workplace building and ventilation protocol;

• Workplace cleaning and disinfection protocol;

• Drop-off, pick-up and delivery practices and protocol; and

• Communications and training practices and protocol.

KSB Build has reviewed and incorporated the industry guidance applicable to our business provided by the state of New York for the development of this plan, including the following industry guidance for construction and remodeling.  Sign-in sheets will be kept at all entry points with a record of workers and visitors for the purpose of contact tracing.

Ensuring sick workers stay home (prompt identification and isolation of sick persons):

Workers have been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The following policies and procedures are being implemented to assess workers’ health status prior to entering the workplace and for workers to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms. All workers temperatures will be logged at entry of the jobsite. If a worker experiences any symptoms, or someone they are in close contact with (such as a family member) experiences symptoms, they will be instructed to contact their Site Supervisor immediately.

KSB Build has implemented a policy for informing workers and visitors if they have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 at their workplace, requiring them to quarantine for 14 days or until they provide negative Covid-19 test results. In addition, a policy has been implemented to protect the privacy of workers’ health status and health information. You may report all test results to info@bibaconstruction.com, these results will not be shared with any one and the sick individual will not be named in any contact tracing protocols thereafter.

Social distancing – workers must be at least six-feet apart:

Social distancing of at least six feet will be implemented and maintained between workers clients, guests and visitors in the workplace through the following engineering and administrative controls: Directional marks will be placed on the floor and physical barriers such as caution tape will be placed in high traffic areas for workers to follow in order to maintain appropriate distance.  If it is not possible to maintain the 6-foot distance to perform an operation, a physical barrier, such as plastic sheeting, should be used, whenever possible. Avoid gathering in groups, stay in your work area, and do not wander around the jobsite unnecessarily. KSB Build has established a schedule that provides for physical distancing between subcontractor-trades, posted at the jobsite entry. Only one trade will be permitted to work in any area at one time, to the extent possible. It is critical that this schedule be maintained, and workers stay within their designated work areas.

Worker hygiene, PPE and source controls, including face coverings:

Basic infection prevention measures are being implemented at our workplaces at all times. Workers are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water frequently throughout the day, but especially at the beginning and end of their shift, prior to any mealtimes and after using the restroom. All workers, clients, patrons, guests and visitors to the workplace are required to wash or sanitize their hands prior to or immediately upon entering the facility. Hand-sanitizer dispensers (that use sanitizers of greater than 60% alcohol) are at entrances and locations in the workplace so they can be used for hand hygiene in place of soap and water, as long as hands are not visibly soiled. Site supervisors are responsible for maintaining soap and hand sanitizer throughout the site, as well as daily emptying of trash bins designated for masks /glove disposal. Source controls are being implemented at our workplaces at all times. Site supervisors will be required to report supply levels once each week to the Project Manager (such as soap, sanitizer, bleach, disinfectant or masks) so necessary supplies can be reordered in a timely manner. 

Workers, clients, patrons, guests and visitors are being instructed to cover their mouth and nose (in addition to their PPE mask) with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid touching their face, particularly their mouth, nose and eyes, with their hands. Workers, clients, patrons, guests and visitors are expected to dispose of tissues in marked trash receptacles and wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward. Respiratory etiquette will be demonstrated on posters and supported by making tissues and trash receptacles available to all workers and other persons entering the workplace.

Workplace building and ventilation protocol:

Operation of the building in which the workplace is located, includes necessary sanitation, assessment and maintenance of building systems, including water, plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The maximum amount of fresh air should be brought into the workplace to ensure air recirculation is limited, and ventilation systems are being properly used and maintained. Steps are also being taken to minimize air flow blowing across people. Site Supervisors may increase the outdoor air-percentage to increase dilution of contaminants, and eliminate recirculating by opening windows during occupancy, Site Supervisors are responsible for closing and locking windows at the end of each day. If applicable a portable air filter outfitted with a MERV 13+ filter will be provided.

Workplace cleaning and disinfection protocol:

Regular practices of cleaning and disinfecting have been implemented, including a daily schedule for routine cleaning and disinfecting of work surfaces, equipment, tools and machinery, including restrooms, break areas, and drop-off and pick-up locations. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting will be conducted on high-touch areas, including phones, tools, equipment, light switches, door handles, elevator panels, railings, delivery equipment, etc.

Appropriate and effective cleaning and disinfecting supplies have been purchased and are available for use in accordance with product labels, safety data sheets and manufacturer specifications, and are being used with required personal protective equipment for the product.

Drop-off, pick-up and delivery practices and protocol:

Workers must maintain a distance of six feet during drop-offs, pick-ups and deliveries. Workers must minimize the unnecessary exchanging or sharing of scanners, pens or other tools with delivery personnel. When possible, receive deliveries via a contactless method, including delivery at the gate or location where persons can maintain a distance of at least six feet from each other. When possible, conduct communications and transactions electronically to eliminate the need for close contact between workers and delivery personnel. To facilitate social distancing, equipment, materials, products and items being delivered should be dropped off or picked up, when possible, at prescheduled times and coordinated with other deliveries. Perform deliveries, drop-offs or pick-ups in one load, carrier or vehicle at a time, and avoid, where possible, multiple deliveries, drop-offs or pick-ups at one time. Have delivery personnel wait in their vehicles if another delivery, drop-off or pick-up is being performed.

Communications and training practices and protocol:

This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan was communicated to all workers via a digitally signed document and necessary training was provided ahead of access to the jobsite. Additional communication and training will be ongoing as Covid-19 restrictions change. Training will be provided to all workers who did not receive the initial training and prior to initial assignment or reassignment. Weekly meetings will be held with the Site Supervisor to encourage open communication on the effectiveness of these policies and to ensure all provided PPE, disinfectants, and other cleaning supplies are readily available on site. An anonymous form is available on our website at www.bibaconstruction.com/worker-feedback where workers can express concerns about jobsite safety.

This Covid-19 Preparedness Plan will be available at the jobsite for reference and made available to anyone who requests a copy.

Managers and supervisors are expected to monitor how effective the program has been implemented through weekly logs, virtual meetings and through worker feedback. All management and workers are to take an active role and collaborate in carrying out the various aspects of this plan, and update the protections, protocols, work-practices and training as necessary. This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan has been certified by KSB Build management and was posted throughout the workplace and made readily available to employees on Dec 1, 2020.  It will be updated as necessary by KSB Build’s Managing Partners.

Additional protections and protocols:

All workers are encouraged to get tested frequently even if they are not displaying symptoms. Test results may be submitted to info@ksb.build.