Pennsylvania issues guidance as state prepares to resume work

As the construction industry prepares to resume work in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration issued guidance April 23 for all construction businesses and employees to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Previously, Wolf and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine ordered most construction projects to cease unless they were supporting life-sustaining businesses or activities or were granted an exemption to perform or support life-sustaining activities.

All businesses in the construction industry in the commonwealth are now permitted to resume in-person operations starting May 1–one week earlier than previously announced.

“My administration has taken measured, aggressive steps to protect public health and safety, including strictly limiting the types of businesses and projects that may continue to operate during this unprecedented time,” Wolf says. “Thankfully, these actions are working, and we are flattening the curve. As we start to take steps to reopen the state, we recognize that the construction industry is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy and may operate safely with stringent guidance in place that will protect employees and the public.”

All business and employees in the construction industry must adhere to Levine’s order providing for business safety measures, which requires those present at a work site to wear masks/face coverings unless they are unable for medical or safety reasons. The order also requires that businesses establish protocols upon discovery that the business has been exposed to a person who is a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19.

Residential construction projects may not permit more than four individuals on the job site at any time, not including individuals who require temporary access to the site and are not directly engaged in the construction activity.

For non-residential or commercial projects, the number of individuals permitted on enclosed portions of a project varies depending on the size of the enclosed site. Commercial construction firms are also strongly encouraged to establish a written safety plan for each work location containing site specific details for the implementation of this guidance to be shared with all employees and implemented and enforced by the pandemic safety officer.

Contractors performing work at the direction of the commonwealth, municipalities or school districts should defer to those public entities to determine what projects may continue.