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Ongoing Renovation Of Hayward Field During Pandemic Prompts Assurances And Concerns

Construction continues at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, concerns surround the safety and appropriateness of having crews working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued her stay-at-home directive last month, it shut down much activity across the state…but not construction.

That’s prompted some people to criticize the ongoing development of Hayward Field. Willamette Week reported a contractor walked off site and lost their contract, after expressing doubts work could continue while observing pandemic protocols such as social distancing.

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
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KLCC
Work continues on the Hayward Field renovation, which has some people wondering how safe workers are during the pandemic.

In separate emails to KLCC, the U of O and Hoffman Construction affirmed that construction is a critical service, and ongoing work is being done in compliance with OSHA, the CDC, and Oregon Health Authority.

While the Track and Field championships have been postponed, the completion date for the $200 million Hayward Field renovation is still on for 2020.

Statement from U of O spokesman Zack Barnett:

"Construction work is continuing on the University of Oregon campus. The university continues to monitor the situation closely, and any decision to suspend work on projects will be made in consultation with contractors and state and local health authorities.

"At this time, the State of Oregon, via Gov. Kate Brown’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” executive order, has determined that construction activities are critical services that should continue so long as contractors and workers adhere to guidance from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). If the state changes course, we will act quickly.

"All contractors currently working on projects at the UO have been directed to follow all federal, state, and local requirements and guidelines with regards to COVID-19. That includes guidelines on social distancing, additional hand washing stations, and disinfecting of surfaces and objects. Large staff meetings on job sites at the UO ended on March 16. Safety instructions and pre-work stretching is being done in smaller groups, observing proper social distancing.

"We remain committed to doing our part to keep our campus and broader community safe, and per federal and state directives, all contractors are expected to implement the appropriate protocols to address a potential situation where an employee reports that they have tested positive to COVID-19."

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
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KLCC
A construction worker guides traffic past the Hayward Field renovation at the University of Oregon, Eugene, April 8, 2020.

General statement from Dan Drinkwater, vice president of Hoffman Construction:

"The governor's order in the State of Oregon (and similar orders issued in most other states) considers construction to be a critical business.  Our top priority is to safeguard the health and safety of our workers through this crisis and our procedures and sites have changed so that we can fulfill that commitment.  We are committed to being a part of the solution to this pandemic.      

"The CDC, OHA and Oregon OSHA have issued guidance around social distancing, meeting size and hygiene and in addition to complying with those policies, each of our projects has implemented enhanced safety protocols.  The specific actions vary from project to project as each site presents unique challenges.  Some of the steps we are taking include:

  • Designate a responsible person at each site to monitor social distancing. 
  • Constantly reinforce guidelines around social distancing
  • Require workers that are sick or symptomatic to stay home
  • Eliminate large meetings and other large gatherings
  • Increase hygiene by increasing sanitizer stations and cleanings of common areas
  • Eliminate or reconfigure areas workers typically congregate (lunch tents etc) to enforce social distancing
  • Stagger starting times to adjust breaks such that fewer people are utilizing facilities at the same time
  • Increase the number of certain necessary common use areas like toilet facilities and increase spacing between them.
  • Dramatically reduce the use of shuttle busses and enforce spacing on them when they are necessary
  • Modifying food service to improve hygiene
  • Require pre-task safety plans to include provisions for social distancing
  • Reduce the capacity of lifts and elevators to allow for social distancing

"We are constantly monitoring the effectiveness of these measures and modify them as necessary to ensure we are providing a safe and healthy work environment."
Copyright 2020, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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