Covid 19 Protocols

COVID-19 Updates for Orbit Roofing’s Employees, Contractors, and Customers

Performing roofing work, in general, presents a lower risk of COVID-19 exposure than other occupations. At Orbit Roofing we are continuing to take measures to help manage the risk of spreading the Coronavirus. These measures include strict hygiene, social distancing, mask wearing, and quarantine protocols. We are responding to emerging government restrictions, mandates, and guidelines.

Our top priority is to ensure the safety and health of our team and our customers. Our operations are considered within the critical construction sector and are permitted and encouraged to continue as an essential business. Our operations remain open and we are continuing to serve our customers.

If you are planning a consultation with one of our team members in the coming weeks, we understand if you would prefer to conduct the meeting over the phone. We will acquire digital measurements when possible. In the event we need physical measurements to provide an estimate or verify measurements, you need not be present. If meetings are conducted in person, we ask that those in attendance are free from flu like symptoms and exposure to infected members of our community.

The Coronavirus has emphasized the importance of maintaining good hygiene to prevent the spread of any viruses and infections. We encourage employees and contractors to wash hands frequently with soap and water or the use of hand sanitizer, cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing to limit the spread of any virus in our community. If an employee or contractor develops symptoms, we ask that they not come to work, seek medical attention, limit contact with other people as much as possible, and only return to work once they have received medical clearance.

We recognize that the situation remains fluid and we are actively monitoring state and local mandates and guidance from health experts. We encourage you to be aware of the available resources and recommendations of your local authorities. Here are a few examples:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

https://www.bexar.org/3248/COVID-19-Community-Resources

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/news/2020/1945-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-information

The following are Orbit Roofing’s guidelines for dealing with in-process projects in location where a short- or long-term work stoppage is necessary due to local mandates.

• Coordination: Coordinate work stoppage procedures with other job-site entities. Building owners and developers, general contractors, and construction managers and prime contractors may have specific work stoppage guidelines or requirements.
• Document project conditions: Document project conditions, both work already completed and work remaining to be competed, as thoroughly as possible. Document roof termination and tie-off conditions. Use of cell phone video and photographs is suggested. Measure and document the areas of work already completed and work still to be complete.
• Inventory project-specific materials and equipment: Inventory and document all materials, equipment, and tools on-site at the time of the work stoppage notification. Provide the building owner’s representative or general contractor/construction manager with a written copy of the inventory of materials and equipment remaining onsite. Also, inventory and document all project-specific materials stored off-site.
• Materials and equipment storage: When possible, consider removing rooftop-stored materials, equipment, and tools. Long-term indoor storage of materials, equipment and tools is preferred whether that be at the project site, at the contractor’s yard or at a remote storage site. If indoor storage is not possible, weather-sensitive materials, equipment and tools should be covered with tarps – breathable canvas tarps are generally preferred – tied down and secured for long-term storage. Rooftop access and any ground storage should be secured from passersby. Document time and any equipment usage necessary for storing and securing materials, equipment, and tools.
• Tie-offs: Completion of roofing work up to a defined boundary (wall, parapet, expansion joint) is preferred. If possible, membrane flashing should be installed. If completion of work to defined boundaries and installation of flashings is not possible, inspect existing tie-offs and, if necessary, install new tie-offs intended for long-term exposure. In new construction projects, tie-offs adhered to the roof deck are suggested. In reroofing projects, use of an adhered, double tie-off is suggested (meaning a tie-off down to the roof deck and an additional tie-off to the adjacent existing roof system or edge condition). Tie-off materials and configurations are roof system and project specific. The roof system manufacturer can be consulted for recommendations specific to its roof covering products.
• Tie-offs should be positioned to not impede roof surface drainage.
• Tie-offs should be raised to shed water.
• Tie-offs should be bonded or adhered to substrates.
• Tie-offs should be lapped onto and adhered to any adjacent horizontal surface a minimum of 12 inches.
• Job-site cleaning: Loose debris, materials and packaging should be removed from the rooftop to minimize the potential blockage of drains or flying off the roof. Ground areas should also be cleared of loose debris, materials, and packaging. Debris containers and any dumpsters specific to roofing work should be covered and, preferably, removed from job sites. Coordinate dumpster removal with the specific waste hauler.
• Check-in before leaving: Before leaving a job site, the roofing project foreman, superintendent, or project manager should check-in with the building owner’s representative or general contractor/construction manager. Ideally this would include a walking inspection of the rooftop and ground areas to ensure some level of agreement on project conditions. Document this check-in and any inspection and any directions given. Also, consider discussing a predetermined schedule for job-site inspections with the building owner’s representative or general contractor/construction manager to monitor job site and rooftop conditions and the condition of any tie-offs.