COVID-19 Print Resources and the Importance of Tool Cleaning

National Construction Practice Safety Alert

COVID-19 Print Resources

Because of their involvement in public works and other essential services, many of our construction clients are working during the COVID-19 pandemic. This presents significant challenges for these employers, such as determining who needs to report to an office or office trailer, and who needs to work remotely. When work in offices or office trailers is required, it needs to be conducted in compliance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing guidelines; maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible, or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.

The Importance of Tool Cleaning

A critical aspect of preventing the spread of COVID-19 on a construction job site is to assure that effective tool cleaning is taking place, especially where tools are shared by more than one craftsperson. Effective tool cleaning:

• People handling tools should be properly trained on tool cleaning procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protected using effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary
• People handling tools should wash their hands or use proper hand sanitizer before and after use to prevent contamination
• Clean tools with mild soap, a clean damp cloth, and, as needed, an approved dilute bleach solution only. Certain cleaning agents and solvents are harmful to plastic and other insulated parts on tools and should not be used
• Tool manufacturers do not recommend cleaning tools with gasoline, turpentine lacquer thinner, paint thinner, chlorinated cleaning solvents, ammonia or household products that contain ammonia.

For more of EPIC’s coronavirus coverage, visit epicbrokers.com/coronavirus