Construction Administration and Construction Site Visits are difficult things of themselves and with inherent risks imposed by COVID-19 demand additional care and prior planning, particularly for such things as site observations and payment application confirmation that require in-person observation and interaction. To address these additional concerns, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently published on its website guidelines and protocols recommended for construction administrators and contractors conducting site visits. The AIA has also published the Architect’s standard of care relative to site visits during the COVID-19 pandemic on its website .
Because the Contractor or Construction Manager has sole responsibility for maintaining site safety and the safety of individuals working on and around the site, personnel visiting a construction site should, minimally, request a copy of the Contractor’s safety plan with regard to COVID-19 measures, which should follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 as outlined in OSHA 3990-03 2020 or equivalent; and comply accordingly. Owners, Contractors, and Architects are urged to comply with those measures as well and should be documenting compliance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Meeting oversite requirements at job sites will remain a challenge for all participants in the construction industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but with prior planning and compliance enforcement, those challenges can be mitigated.
