Construction Law

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Tampa’s Largest Construction Sites to Be Inspected by Nurses

If you start seeing nurses on your project site, don’t be alarmed; they’re there to help. Tampa is taking a unique approach to ensuring that construction sites across the city are complying with health and safety guidelines. In this brief article, we discuss how city officials are sending out nurses to conduct spot checks of the largest construction sites in the city as part of a citywide initiative to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For any questions regarding jobsite safety during these difficult times, consult a Tampa construction lawyer with Cotney Attorneys & Consultants. 

Protecting 12,000 Workers Across 52 Construction Sites

Nurses are being sent out to conduct spot checks at the city’s 52 largest construction sites. Nurses, mostly from Rasmussen College, will be visiting each site up to three times a week. Inspections have already begun, and nurses have found that, for the most part, construction sites are complying with guidelines established by the city. These guidelines include:

  • Designating a “COVID-19 Compliance Coordinator”
  • Maintaining six feet between personnel at all times
  • Having portable handwashing and/or hand sanitizer stations in convenient locations
  • Requiring construction-grade gloves to be worn at all times 

As the Tampa Bay Times reports, “Along with checking for screening at the gate, social distancing and hand-washing, nurses ask about whether any employees feel sick or have had a change in their condition, so that employees who need to be isolated are not in a position to infect others.” Consult our Tampa construction lawyers with any questions regarding safety guidelines. 

Related: OSHA on Isolating Workers Who Show Symptoms of COVID-19

Can Construction Companies Be Issued a Fine? 

“We’re not trying to catch you or ‘gotcha’ and issue a fine,” said Carole Post, Tampa’s Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity, in the Tampa Bay Times’ article. “It’s really about trying to reinforce good behavior.” As we’ve written previously, Tampa has yet to take action against construction companies that fail to abide by safety rules. But that by no means excuses you from following health and safety guidelines on your project site. 

Related: COVID-19: Preventing Workplace Exposure in Construction

Failure to put your workers’ safety first could result in sick workers, a hazardous work environment, or an anonymous complaint made with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For assistance complying with local, state, and federal laws pertaining to worker safety during these difficult times, we encourage you to review our COVID-19 Resources page. You can also contact a coronavirus construction lawyer with our law firm if you ever need assistance. 

If you would like to speak with a coronavirus construction attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.