Suffolk's Response

Suffolk has assigned COVID-19 Ambassadors to Suffolk jobsites. Their sole focus is to ensure all Suffolk’s strict safety protocols and procedures are followed and adhered to by all workers on our jobsites. Ambassadors are empowered to implement and enforce safety protocols; serve as primary points of contact for all safety questions and concerns; are responsible for distributing PPE, manage signage with safety instructions; and maintain inventories of disinfectants, cleaning supplies and other safety materials. They wear a designated safety vest on site for simple and quick identification. 

• All team meetings will utilize Microsoft Teams to ensure remote work capability.
• Suffolk Management will implement rotating schedules for onsite attendance.
• Staff members will adjust work locations to ensure there is no office sharing.
• Staff members will wipe down work areas at the end of each day.
• Necessary in-person meetings must be held in small groups (five or less) in Project Conference Rooms to ensure appropriate separation between individuals.  
• Hand wash/sanitizer stations and paper towel dispensers must be installed adjacent to every field office entry and exit. All stations and dispensers must be protected from the elements.

• Format changes have been made to the Daily Huddle meetings so that only trade partner leads can participate. 
• Appropriate social distancing guidelines must be followed for all meetings and outdoor gatherings are strong encouraged.  
• Trade partner leads will provide Suffolk teams their daily Pre-Task Plan (PTP) documentation during Daily Huddles if not submitted through Procore.
• Each PTP will include COVID-19 individual survey questionnaires and will verify all individuals on the jobsite have been symptom free for the previous 24 hours and have not been in contact with infected persons.

• At all jobsite entry points, highly visible and pre-formatted jobsite signage related to COVID-19 protocols will be installed for trade partners and the general public.
• At all points of probable congregation (i.e. lifts, hoists, elevators, eating areas, etc.), highly visible signage related to COVID-19 protocols will be installed for the trade partners and general public.
• At entrance points display: “This construction site is open in accordance with State Declaration and CDC COVID-19 Workplace Guidance Protocols” (language State-specific)

• Pursuant to CDC guidance, Suffolk employees and trade partners will be required to complete a survey for all crew members on site regarding COVID-19 symptoms.    

• Certifications must be submitted to Suffolk prior to team entering project site.

Temperature Checks on Jobsites

Effective March 18, 2020, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) gave employers permission to conduct temperature checks on jobsites. The EEOC enforces workplace anti-discrimination statutes, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Because the CDC and state/local health authorities have acknowledged community spread of COVID-19 and issued attendant precautions, employers may measure employees' body temperature. EEOC guidance on this issue can be found here.

Suffolk’s temperature taking protocols are designed to comply with all applicable laws and include the following: 

• A third-party practitioner (non-Suffolk employee) will take the temperature of every individual before he or she can enter the jobsite. This supersedes certification requirements on applicable jobsites.

• The location of temperature-taking activity and logistics will depend on the jobsite, but typically pop-up stations will be set up with tables and chairs outside the jobsite gate or main entrance.  Consideration will be given to protecting the privacy of all individuals undergoing a temperature check, and if necessary, exiting the jobsite.

• Some jobsites will have safety or administration team members on hand to ensure people in line for temperature readings are maintaining a safe distance from each other.   In addition, staggered arrival times for trade partner groups will be utilized where practicable. 

• Stickers or other identifiers will be provided to individuals who pass the temperature test to demonstrate they were cleared to enter the jobsite. 

• Additional measures for workers in proximity to each other – request alternate methodology if feasible.
• Provide additional laborers to increase cleaning and sanitation activity and to closely monitor COVID-19 protocols.

• Schedule for thorough cleaning of portable bathrooms will be increased to three times per week.
• Interior and exterior handles of all bathrooms will be cleaned/disinfected daily; recommended cleaning times will include 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and at close of business.

• Strongly recommend at least one hot water handwashing station to be set up in a central location on the jobsite.  
• Strongly recommend additional handwashing stations to be installed for greater and easier access. 

• Provide additional trash receptacles at each handwashing station and other locations, as needed.
• Trash receptacles will be emptied twice per day (after lunch and at close of business) and will be closely monitored and emptied as needed. 
   

Food trucks are only allowed on jobsites when they meet specific safety criteria:

• Food must be pre-packaged and food packages must be handled by only one individual who passed it to the purchaser. 
• A distance of six feet or more must be kept between all individuals in line waiting to purchase food. 
• Payment must be facilitated in a separate area where these distances can be maintained.

If all three of these conditions cannot be met, there will be no food trucks allowed on the premises. 

• A distance of six feet or more must be kept between all individuals at designated break areas. It is strongly recommended that a designated break area be established for each trade to provide more space. 
• Trade partner leads will be directed to manage this separation and ensure that food trash is taken to the trash receptacles or dumpsters immediately after meal breaks. 

Suffolk Superintendents will instruct each trade partner lead to designate an individual for the cleaning of all surfaces and appliances at predetermined intervals (at least twice daily) and removing of lunch/break waste to trash receptacles and dumpsters after each break.