As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge throughout parts of the U.S., jurisdictions are cracking down on construction firms that violate job-site guidelines for social distancing, handwashing and other COVID-19-related precautions, according to www.constructiondive.com.
Although many areas have given 30-day grace periods so businesses can adjust to the new rules, some building departments have indicated the leniency has ended. In places such as New York City; Austin, Texas; and Montgomery County, Maryland, outside of Washington, D.C., officials spoke out during the week of July 13 to put noncomplying contractors on notice.
Austin said it will take employers to court if they have several violations of the city’s emergency rules and will issue fines of up to $2,000. In Maryland, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said officials will begin visiting construction sites that are not obeying mask policies. The county will first issue a warning, then begin closing construction sites that do not comply.
Members of the public are helping to inform officials of violations on job sites. Since March 30, New York City residents lodged 6,127 complaints against contractors for potential COVID-19 job-site safety protocol violations, using the city’s nonemergency 311 phone system. Austin city officials report there have been more than 150 calls made to 311 regarding construction sites since the beginning of April. The city first will try to get the site or person to voluntarily make changes and follow the rules; however, if changes are not implemented, the city will provide a citation and take them to court.
On June 23 in Nevada, Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials fined the joint venture in charge of construction at the Allegiant Stadium for a “serious” COVID-19-related violation. The $13,494 fine relates to two incidents in April regarding a lack of social distancing and included 35 photos detailing various employees working near each other and in line to get their temperatures taken. Dozens of workers at the job site have been infected with COVID-19 since March.
OSHA said employees at the site were not abiding by the 6-feet-minimum social-distancing requirement, noting two 65-foot boom lifts were operating, each of which had three men per basket in violation of the two-person-per-basket regulation. The fine is the maximum penalty for a serious OSHA violation. Repeat violators can face a fine of $134,937 for each violation.
The joint venture denied the offense, saying in a statement it is committed to complying with all health and safety regulations.
