City updates construction requirements

After weeks of back-and-forth, the Real Estate Council of Austin has endorsed new rules in place that apply to all active construction sites in Austin. The new rules, which are part of extended stay-at-home orders from the city and county, update the safety precautions that must be taken on job sites:

• Workers must wear face coverings and maintain a 6-foot physical distance
• Sites with more than 10 active workers must stagger shifts
• All sites must begin each workday with safety briefings that include reminders of all Covid-19 safety requirements and a check of personal protective equipment
• Hand-washing is required, and hand-washing stations and restroom facilities must be at least 6 feet apart
• Work sites must provide single-use disposable paper towels and no-touch trash receptacles
• The site manager must designate a Covid-19 safety monitor, who must be present at the site during all work activities

Following the release of the new orders Monday, RECA released a statement from board Chair Peter Cesaro that read, in part, “In anticipation of the updated order, RECA, along with local construction firms and other industry organizations, held discussions with city and county officials to inform them of existing precautions being taken at job sites and best practices being utilized here and around the state. The new city and county orders reflect many of these conversations, and we believe that they ensure the safety of our workforce and community while balancing people’s desire to work. We sincerely appreciate the county judge’s and mayor’s willingness to consider input from the industry and look forward to doing our part to continue to protect workers and help minimize the spread of Covid-19.”