These ‘Back to Work’ guidelines were compiled by MDBPA Committee members to help Efficiency Contractors to safely resume working. There are three priorities that we are trying to balance;
1. keeping the public safe, 2. keeping workers safe and 3. being able to resume work
The importance of safe work practices cannot be overemphasized as lapses in safety can lead to infection of workers or homeowners and undermine progress made in Maryland fighting the pandemic.
There are 4 Conditions that Contractors should be expected to meet to be considered adequately prepared and trained to return to work.
They are:
1. Training: Contractors who will be entering occupied residences to perform their work are strongly recommended to first complete a COVID 19 Safety and Health Training Course administered by a reputable source such as the MDBPA third party training institute that offers a course along the lines of “COVID-19: Back to Work for Energy Auditors and Retrofit Technicians – Best Practice Standards of Care”.
We WILL award employees a certificate upon successful completion along with a photo badge that employees should take with them when they go to a residence. Contractors will be trained to understand current government mandates and guidance, mechanisms of exposure and transmission, personal protective equipment, and personal decontamination principles.
2. Documentation. Before entering a residence, client prescreening and Contractor safety protocols must be presented to the customer. The prescreening of customers is intended to assure clients have not demonstrated symptoms potentially relating to COVID 19, have not traveled, or do not have concerns about Contractors entering the home. Explanation of Contractor safety protocols demonstrates to the customer that the contractor has received COVID-19 safety training, and further explains additional safety procedures the contractor will implement.
3. Process Improvement. As new developments regarding COVID 19 become evident, contractors will react accordingly. Contractors agree to retrain, re-equip, or revise safety processes as issues, restrictions and procedures become modified.
4. Verification. Contractors will be subject to program manager follow up audits of their adherence to the COVID-19 safety practices outlined herein.
It is recommended that the above preconditions for contractors to be permitted to recommencing work will apply to the following areas, each with overlapping but also different requirements.
A.Residential Audits.B.Residential Installations.C.QHEC / Tier 1 Single-FamilyD.QHEC / Tier 1 Multi-Family