Given the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Technical Assurance has implemented heightened company-wide safety and security policies, procedures and controls for our staff when they are on client site(s). Many of the activities performed by Technical Assurance and our project teams during administration, on-site assessments and surveys, design development and throughout construction can result in exposure. Because of a number of unknown variables surrounding COVID-19, measures for protecting workers from exposure to the infectious disease are fluid and ever-changing. But one thing that is certain for the foreseeable future is that all businesses must follow heightened safety and security policies, procedures and controls both in the workplace and while on construction job sites.

Technical Assurance has implemented new work controls into each phase of our service delivery in order to achieve three (3) primary goals:

• To protect the health and safety of all project team members, including the building owner, architectural and engineering consultants, trade contractors and subcontractors’ staff.
• To protect the health and safety of all project team families, neighborhoods, communities and the country at large.
• To protect and sustain project continuity.

Implementing COVID-19 health and safety policies, procedures and controls will minimize overall virus exposure, which will help prevent project interruptions and stoppage. Until the CDC, WHO and OSHA instruct otherwise, COVID-19 health and safety measures will be implemented and monitored on every client project. Additional policies and procedures may be added to meet client-specific requirements, and these measures are subject to change as more information is made available.

The updated plan includes the following elements:

COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Practices: Outlined guidelines that are required by all Technical Assurance staff. These guidelines were adopted through recommendations by the CDC, OSHA, state officials and other regulatory health agencies. A few of the best practices being implemented include daily health monitoring, no carpooling or sharing of equipment (tools, PPE, technology devices, etc.), coordinated coffee and lunch breaks, when and what to disinfect and avoiding enclosure areas with recycled air as much as possible.

Daily Monitoring – Employee Temperature: All Technical Assurance employees are required to conduct daily risk assessments prior to either interfacing with clients or going to the office. When taking temperatures, we ask that it be taken 30 minutes after eating, drinking or exercising, and waiting at least 6 hours after taking medicines that can lower your temperature (i.e. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Aspirin). If an employee’s temperature is above 100.4 degrees, we ask that they do not leave home and notify their supervisor immediately.

Daily Monitoring – Exposure Risk Analysis: If a Technical Assurance employee is not working from home, a risk assessment questionnaire must be completed on a daily basis prior to leaving their house. The 4-question assessment ensures that the employee is not exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms and has not been exposed to either suspected or confirmed positive COVID-19 cases within the last 14 days. The data from the daily assessments is collected and stored in Technical Assurance’s ON-PNT® portal.

Project Site Responsibilities – Project Risk Mitigation Plan: There are additional protocol requirements that all staff must follow when they are on client project sites. This plan analysis includes, but is not limited to:

1. • Identification of site “choke points” (areas where it will be hard to maintain proper distancing – such as elevators, hallways), so that special precautions can be taken.
   • Adequate handwashing/sanitizing stations?
   • Adequate cleaning and protective supplies available throughout the site?
   • Remote meeting capabilities in place?
   • Daily site cleaning and disinfecting plans in place?
   • Notify management of any concerns.

Project Site Responsibilities – Daily Job Hazard Analysis: Technical Assurance staff will ensure that the daily, task-specific Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is conducted. JHA review may include, but are not limited to:

1. • What is the daily work plan? Is any additional PPE is required to safely execute the plan?
   • How will the site/roofs be accessed to minimize overlap with other people?
   • Will there be materials or supplies delivered today? If so, what is the delivery plan?
   • Deliveries should be properly coordinated in line with minimal contact and cleaning protocols. Delivery personnel should remain in their vehicles when possible.
   • Does today’s staffing plan minimize crew overlap?
   • Can the materials and supplies I will need today be strategically located to minimize movement on the work site?
   • Notify management of any concerns.

Technical Assurance Site Managers are tasked with ensuring that all TA employees have the resources that they need to effectively implement the identified Project Risk Mitigation and Daily JHA plans.

COVID-19 Exposure and Return to Work Protocol: In all workplaces where exposure to the COVID-19 may occur, prompt identification and isolation of potentially infected individuals is critical to protect others. The COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan outlines specific steps that must be followed if exposure is expected. The guidelines are specific to unconfirmed cases with related symptoms, and for those that are confirmed positive.

Implementation: Since the risk of exposure is present – but different – for each consulting service phase, we have amended our professional services to include COVID-19 risk mitigation and analysis guidelines for each phase. All staff is required to follow Technical Assurance’s outlined health and safety procedures when on client sites, in addition to any client-specific protocols that are in place.

• Discover/Plan: Inventory and Condition Assessment Services and Reporting
• Solve: Design-Bid Phase
• Manage: Construction Phase

Value Add COVID-19 Services

Working on behalf of our clients, our primary role as an objective third-party building envelope professional service provide can be extended to assess, monitor and mitigate risk of people contracting COVID-19 on construction projects that we are already tasks to monitor on a part- or full-tome basis. This value-add service includes part- or -full-time daily controls, measurements and reporting of personnel coming to job sites, observation reports and other client-specific requirements related to on-site pre-construction and construction activities. The extent of our value-add services on client sites are discussed on a case-by-case basis in order to fully support and comply with the client’s specific COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan for the project(s).

To talk with us directly about how we can support your projects through this health crisis, please contact info@technicalassurance.com.