REOPENING PROTOCOLS

Overall Philosophy: 

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia currently plans to return to new home construction activity on a limited basis with regular weekday volunteers and crew leaders starting Wednesday, May 13 with these reopening protocols in place. Home repair projects are currently underway, with use of trades only and only with the permission of the homeowner.  Habitat-NCG offices will remain closed, although employees may work from their office as needed.  Until further notice, administrative staff are encouraged to work remotely. Visitor entry into office areas will be on a limited, appointment only basis. 

With possible limited exceptions, sponsor groups for both new home construction and repair projects, will not be scheduled until at least July 1.  The number of volunteers allowed at a build site will likely be limited, although the intent is to gradually increase the permissible number as the current coronavirus crisis evolves. Partner homeowner families will not be allowed on build sites until sponsor groups are working; “sweat equity” requirements will be modified appropriately

In reopening, Habitat-NCG will comply with Executive Orders issued by the Office of the Georgia Governor and guidelines announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including social distancing.  Additional safety precautions will be incorporated into each component of the ministry’s activities. Any employee who is ill or has a fever or reasonably believes that he or she has been exposed to a person suffering from COVID-19 should stay at home and self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days. Other persons engaging with Habitat such as a volunteer or contractor who is ill or has a fever or reasonably believes that he or she has been exposed to a person suffering COVID-19 within the last 14 days should be requested to leave the build site or office.

Habitat-NCG will provide an upgraded face covering to each employee and regular weekday volunteer and crew leader, at which time the face covering becomes the property and responsibility of the employee or volunteer to have it when needed and to maintain its cleanliness. Signage will be posted at build sites to remind volunteers of their obligation to comply with these protocols.

All volunteers will be required to sign a COVID-19-specific Waiver of Liability, Informed Consent, and Acknowledgment of Receipt of Safety Protocols prior to entering a build site or home repair project.

BUILD SITES SAFETY PROTOCOLS:

• Construction Managers are responsible for compliance with these protocols.
  • Until further notice, volunteer numbers will be limited to 7 regular volunteers working on each house.
  • All volunteers will be required to sign a COVID-19-specific Waiver of Liability, Informed Consent, and Acknowledgment of Receipt of Build Site Safety Protocols prior to entering a build site.
  • Before commencing work, a non-contact thermometer should be used to check the temperature of all staff members, volunteers, and contractors on the site.  A staff member or volunteer exhibiting a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher should be requested to leave the site.  A contractor exhibiting such an elevated temperature should be asked to report to his or her supervisor and should be requested to leave the site.
  • Face coverings must be worn by all staff members, volunteers, and contractors unless working alone or in a location or vehicle separated from others or while eating or drinking while adhering to social distancing requirements.
  • Minimum social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained.
  • Adequate personal protection equipment and sanitation supplies must be available on build sites.    

• Handwashing and properly supplied sanitation stations (soap and water) must be available in an easily accessible location on build sites.
  • Portable restrooms shall be disinfected at least daily.  Hand sanitizer shall be available immediately outside the restrooms.
  • Regular weekday volunteers and crew leaders should be encouraged to bring their own gloves, tools (except power tools), and tool belts to minimize the use of shared items.  Other volunteers and house sponsors will be requested to bring their own work gloves and face coverings to minimize the cost of providing such items.
  • Volunteers should avoid the dual use or sharing of tools.  When necessary to share, they should be sanitized prior to transferring to the new user.
  • Volunteers should be requested at the end of the workday to help disinfect tools and hard hats they used.
  • Until further notice each volunteer will be responsible for bringing his/her own food and beverages to construction sites. No community meals or beverages will be provided.
• Habitat will continue to supply extra bottled water to build sites.  If a cooler is used, a sign will be placed next to the cooler requiring handwashing or the use of hand sanitizer prior to reaching into the cooler.  As an alternative, single-use latex gloves may be made available.
  • First Nail and House Dedication ceremonies will be modified as appropriate.
  • A modified copy of these protocols will be posted at build sites. (See Exhibit A.)

HOME REPAIR PROGRAM SITES SAFETY PROTOCOLS:

• The Construction Coordinator for the Home Repair Program is responsible for compliance with these protocols.
  • Due to the vulnerability of the demographic served by the Home Repair Program, no project will be commenced without the explicit permission of the homeowner(s).  If permission is declined, the project will be placed in queue without penalty to the homeowner.
  • Until further notice, no volunteers will be allowed to participate in repair projects.  Repairs will be conducted by trades only.
  • When volunteers are allowed, all volunteers will be required to sign a COVID-19-specific Waiver of Liability, Informed Consent, and Acknowledgment of Receipt of Home Repair Sites Safety Protocols prior to entering the site.
  • Minimum social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained.
  • Before commencing work, a non-contact thermometer should be used to check the temperature of all staff members, volunteers (if any), and contractors on the site.  A staff member or volunteer exhibiting a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher should be requested to leave the site.  A contractor exhibiting such an elevated temperature should be asked to report to his or her supervisor and should be requested to leave the site.
  • Face coverings must be worn by all staff members, volunteers, and contractors unless working alone or in a location or vehicle separated from others or while eating or drinking while adhering to social distancing requirements.
  • Adequate personal protection equipment and sanitation supplies must be available on build sites.    

• Handwashing and properly supplied sanitation stations (soap and water) must be available in an easily accessible location.
  • Portable restrooms on site shall be disinfected at least daily.  Hand sanitizer shall be available immediately outside the restrooms.
  • When volunteers are allowed to participate, they should be encouraged to bring their own gloves, tools (except power tools), tool belts, and face coverings to minimize the use of shared items and the cost of providing such items.
  • Volunteers should avoid the dual use or sharing of tools.  When necessary to share, they should be sanitized prior to transferring to the new user.
  • Volunteers should be requested at the end of the workday to help disinfect tools and hard hats they used.
  • Until further notice each volunteer will be responsible for bringing his/her own food and beverages to project sites. No community meals or beverages will be provided.
• Habitat will continue to supply extra bottled water to project sites.  If a cooler is used, a sign will be placed next to the cooler requiring handwashing or the use of hand sanitizer prior to reaching into the cooler.  As an alternative, single-use latex gloves may be made available.
• A modified copy of these protocols will be posted at build sites. (See Exhibit B.)

OFFICE SAFETY PROTOCOLS:

• Until further notice, offices will remain closed, although employees may work from their office as needed.  Until further notice, administrative staff are encouraged to work remotely.  Visitor entry into office areas will be on a limited, appointment only basis. 
• Gatherings of 10 or more persons are prohibited.
• Minimum social distancing of 6 feet shall be maintained. In-person meetings between two or more employees must adhere to the minimum social distancing requirements
• All office entry doors will remain locked throughout the day until further notice.
• Access to offices beyond Habitat-NCG staff will be limited. Signage on the front door will direct visitors to call the main phone number for assistance.
• No walk-in meetings will be permitted. All in-person meetings will be by appointment only
• Any visitor admitted to our offices will be required to wear a face covering.
• Current homeowners, future homeowners, sponsors, and volunteers will be asked to communicate with Habitat-NCG staff by phone when possible. Employees are encouraged to utilize video conferencing tools.
• Staff will continue to discourage homeowners from making walk-in mortgage payments.  Homeowners should be directed to make payments through their bank account, by credit card, or by mail.

Family Services Safety Protocols:

• Partner homeowner families will not be allowed on build sites until sponsor groups are working; “sweat equity” requirements will be modified appropriately.
• No walk-in meetings will be permitted. All in-person meetings will be by appointment only
• Homeowners should be instructed to make payments through their bank account, by credit card, or by mail.  In-person payments should be discouraged.
  • Until further notice, no homeowner application meetings will be held.  The Family Services Director will review applications and pre-qualify applicants.
  • Until further notice, no homeowner applicant visits will be scheduled.
  • Conversations with current homeowners, future homeowners, and homeownership applicants will be by telephone when possible. If this is not practical, an in-person meeting can take place in a space that allows for adherence to 6 feet social distancing; participants will wear face coverings
  • Homeowner education classes for those already in queue will be held virtually if possible.   Otherwise, classes will be held in person in a space allowing for adherence to 6 feet social distancing and all participants will wear face coverings
  • Homeowner closings will be held in person or by mail. If in person, 6-foot social distancing must be followed and all participants will wear face coverings