Coronavirus updates and safety tips from California
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom updated the state’s COVID-19 resource page to include a full list of essential organizations and businesses to can remain open.
The move follows the governor’s prior shutdown of non-essential businesses on March 15.
Listed among essential businesses in California are, retail stores, that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers. That includes lumber and building material dealers too.
The document also gives approval to construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects, including housing construction.
Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, construction material sources, and essential operation of construction sites and construction have also been given the all-clear by Newsom’s office.
“I believe the response here in California was the right one,” Ken Dunham, executive director of the West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association (WCLBMA), told HBSDealer. “The LBM industry and much of construction are segments of business that can continue to function with the social distancing concerns as well as health and safety concerns.”
“Keeping the supply chain for materials is also a major factor in this and that seems to be understood by those setting the rule,” Dunham noted.
The WCLBMA has also outlined rules for social distancing and maintaining cleanliness at LBM operations during the coronavirus crisis. They are as follows:
The move follows the governor’s prior shutdown of non-essential businesses on March 15.
Listed among essential businesses in California are, retail stores, that supply essential sectors, including convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, and home appliance retailers. That includes lumber and building material dealers too.
The document also gives approval to construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects, including housing construction.
Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, construction material sources, and essential operation of construction sites and construction have also been given the all-clear by Newsom’s office.
“Keeping the supply chain for materials is also a major factor in this and that seems to be understood by those setting the rule,” Dunham noted.
The WCLBMA has also outlined rules for social distancing and maintaining cleanliness at LBM operations during the coronavirus crisis. They are as follows:
- Remove all customer or visitor chairs at the sit-down workstations.
- Mark the floor with tape and chairs pulled back to maintain 6’ separation between employee and customer.
- Mark an “X” or “U” shape on the floor that ensures 6’ spacing between customers and salesperson.
- At the counters and customer service counter, mark an “X” on the floor for the customers to help maintain social distancing between each customer and employee working at the counter.
- Coffee should not be handled by anyone other than the person getting the cup. Apply the same “X” on the floor to maintain distancing. Consider eliminating coffee for the time being.
- Clean pens after each use at all counters. Consider not asking the customer for a signature.
- Counter employees will be assigned workstations. No more sharing. Each workstation will be 6’ apart.
- All employees must maintain a 6’ distance from each other at all times, no exceptions.
- Will Call could consider a “car hop” model where the customer remains in their vehicle.
- Deliveries will no longer get signatures. Take photos of the recipient in front of the load when possible. Customer copies will be left on the material under the banding.
- Gate guard to wear gloves when handling exit copies or have a basket in which the customer deposits the ticket.
- Operations should limit the number of people in the office.
- Assign a runner to take the paperwork out to the order pullers and drivers. One person per computer, no sharing.
- Forklifts should be wiped down at shift change.
- Gloves, sanitizer, wipes and any other requested items should be checked regularly and provided as available.