The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is encouraging members, and all residential construction companies, to halt work for at least 10 minutes the week of Jan. 11-15 for a COVID-19 Jobsite Safety Stand Down to remind workers what they should do to keep themselves safe from coronavirus and to help reduce its spread.

After the success of the first COVID-19 stand down in April, NAHB and its construction industry partners are facilitating a second round of pandemic-specific safety training in the wake of the national post-holiday surge in infections.

"NAHB's members have done an excellent job of maintaining safe workplaces during the pandemic, but as COVID-19 cases increased after the holidays, we need to be proactive with our safety stand downs to make sure we continue with the proper protocols to keep our workers and communities healthy," said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke, a custom home builder from Tampa, Florida.

As part of the safety stand down, members are being asked to reiterate coronavirus safety precautions, such as wearing face coverings, maintaining a distance of six feet between workers at all times, cleaning and sanitizing frequently used tools, equipment, and frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis, ensuring the proper sanitation of common surfaces and equipment, and providing safe, clean and accessible restrooms and adequate hand-washing stations.

NAHB and other construction industry partners have developed a comprehensive Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Plan for Construction that outlines the steps every employer and employee should take to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. It describes how to prevent worker exposure to coronavirus, protective measures to be taken on the job site, personal protective equipment and work practice controls to be used, cleaning and disinfecting procedures and what to do if a worker becomes sick. The plan can be found here: https://www.nahb.org/advocacy/industry-issues/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-preparedness/business-management/Jobsite-Safety-and-Recordkeeping-Guidance-for-Coronavirus.

NAHB has also launched a new initiative focused on member mental health and wellbeing. The resources available focus on mental health during the pandemic and can be especially helpful for builders and workers struggling with the challenges faced in 2020. These resources can be found here: https://www.nahb.org/advocacy/industry-issues/Safety-and-Health/Mental-Wellbeing.