For decades, the regulatory agency operated by the United States Department of Labor has been implementing safety procedures and guidelines for workers in the construction industry. Yet, as conditions change and new dangers arise, there is always room for improvement especially with the current times.

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Preventing the Spread of Covid-19

OSHA’s general duty clause requires employers to provide a safe a secure workplace by providing any materials needed to maintain safety. Regarding COVID-19 the following actions are being put in place

• Paid leave for employees to get vaccinated
• Lowering the size of work crews on jobsites
• Increased ventilation
• Staggering break times

It's nice to see employers protecting their employees by implementing these guidelines, however below is a summarized list provided by the Occupational Health & Safety website that provides other actions you can personally take to keep yourself more safe.

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1. Feeling Sick? Tell Someone.
   ‍Seems like a normal thing to do but it's harder than it sounds! Maybe you're afraid of stressing your employer out or you can "push through it." The truth is, although you may feel you're being noble by heading to work, you may be putting others in danger. It's better to be cautious than reckless.
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2. Online Training is Key
   Everyone now days are switching to online. It provides a no-contact option and sometimes is quicker than meeting in person.
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3. Keep Alcohol-Based Wipes Close-By
   Having these wipes close by will help to keep sanitized before, during and after your workday. It's normal to share equipment during the workday so it's important to stay sanitized in order to prevent any viruses from occurring.
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4. Bring Your Own Essentials
   Bringing your own essential items such as safety gloves, snacks, water bottles and other necessary items will not only prevent the spread of viruses, but will also keep you safer in the workplace.
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5. Try Using The Same Equipment
   Although, work equipment is frequently shared among employees, trying to designate your own work equipment would be beneficial for you and your co-workers. This would avoid the constant need to disinfect equipment and save time for other tasks at hand.
   

Being Preventative Is Advantageous to Everyone

Prevention is the best way to reduce hazardous work environments. When everyone is taking steps to keep the work environment safe and clean, it leads to less stress and more time to complete tasks efficiently.

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