Five Steps to Take When Construction Sites Are Shut Down Due to the Covid-19 Outbreak

Five Steps to Take When Construction Sites Are Shut Down Due to the Covid-19 Outbreak

We live in uncertain times. Many construction sites across the world are shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be hard to know what to do and what not to do. At ECL Software we have looked at recommendations from various cities and states to find the best actions to take. You should always follow the local regulations to make sure you are in compliance, but generally speaking these five steps are a good place to start.

  1. Review All Contract Documents
  2. First and foremost, look at all relevant contract documents. When work is suspended or stopped, or the government forces a shutdown, it can obviously affect contract performance. Review all contract documents to see what you will be able to meet and what you will not. Communicate with all parties involved. Everyone is dealing with very difficult times and it is likely that the companies you call will work with you if you take the initiative to contact them. Remember that our JDIO product can help keep your contracts and correspondence in one easy-to-access place.
  3. Secure All Job Sites
  4. You must take the time and resources to thoroughly secure all job sites. If this requires crews to do so then schedule them to do so. Yes, this will cost money at a time that you do not want to be spending money but not doing so can put you at serious risk of losing equipment and materials.
  5. Determine Your Optimal Skeleton Crew
  6. It is likely that once you have secured the job site, you are going to need a skeleton crew that can be given access to the site while it is suspended. This gives them the opportunity to monitor it for safety and security. Depending on the site and what is being kept there, you may determine it best to have a physical presence 24 / 7, you may have someone check the set at regular intervals, or you may have on-demand security.
  7. Determine Any Emergency Work and Communicate with the Appropriate Parties
  8. There may be some work that needs to be completed before the site can be secured. You should identify this work, talk to the owner (whether public or private), and get their advanced approval before scheduling the work.
  9. Document the Conditions of the Work Site
  10. Take photos of the work as it is when the work was stopped. Store your materials and take pictures of their condition. Keep a separate claim file for COVID-19 related documents so you will have them easily accessible for future claims.

At ECL Software we offer more than fund control services – we offer several other software solutions. Call us now at 800-625-5972 for your own personal free demo.