Keeping Your Family Safe During COVID-19 Home Remodels

Per the Governor’s recent announcement, Virginia will move into Phase Three on July 1^st. If you have plans to remodel your home in the near future, take the time to familiarize yourself with your builder’s health and safety measures and what remodelers are allowed to do in your home.

Personal protective equipment (PPE). in accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the state Department of Health, masks must be worn at all times by every person on the jobsite. Masks can be cloth coverings depending on the job being performed and must be accompanied by both gloves and eye protection. Glove type is based on the needs of the task being completed — if the task isn’t usually performed with gloves, then nitrile or latex gloves can be worn. Depending on the size and scope of work, more stringent PPE may be required.

Sanitation and hygiene. Ask your contractor to install handwashing stations so running water is available for all workers. Per CDC guidelines, workers on the jobsite should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer may be used in addition but is not a substitute for running water.

Social distancing. All workers on the jobsite most maintain 6 feet of distance at all times. The number of workers on any jobsite should be limited to prevent gathering and spreading of germs, and breaks should be staggered to ensure no large gatherings.

Other safety requirements include monitoring of employee health, which includes taking temperatures of all workers; safety signage and training; frequent cleaning and disinfection.

Ask to see your contractor’s COVID-19 plan. All workers onsite will be required to follow the plan. Get comfortable with the protocols and be aware of who is working in your home. You should feel safe and sound. Most professional contractors already had safety protocols in place long before the pandemic.

When followed properly, these requirements will keep you and your family members safe during this time.