"Essential Critical Infrastructure" & "Critical Trades"

Writing this from the research gathered as one who only installs signs. I don't manufacture. I don't have vendors that manufacture. I don't sell anything. I strictly install.


Despite the impending Shelter in Place order, I have a number of customers (sign companies) still wanting their signs installed. A few now have told me the same thing - that since they are listed under the Construction Industry, they are still legally allowed to proceed with installations. These are large companies that wouldn't proceed without reliable legal counsel given everything that's happening, so I believe that legally, they are completely within their rights.

But there is a lot of gray area and overlap when it comes to legality, ethics and morality.

So here are the layers to this stinky onion:

Among the persons allowed to break the Shelter in Place order in Dallas County are those operating "Essential Businesses".

Among those "Essential Businesses" are those businesses involved in "Essential Critical Infrastructure".

Included in that "Essential Critical Infrastructure" is "Residential and Commercial Construction".

Included in "Residential and Commercial Construction" are "Critical Trades", summarized as follows:

"Critical trades. Building and Construction Tradesmen and Tradeswomen, and other trades including but not limited to plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses and Operations."

So let's say I have 1500 signs to install for a customer (sign company) at an office building for one of the nation's largest law firms (end customer). The end customer will occupy multiple floors but hasn't moved in yet. Other trades are continuing to (legally) work and maintain the required 6' separation from others. Among the signs that need to be installed are Emergency Evacuation Maps, Stair & Level signs, Area of Refuge signs, etc....signs that would be critical in an emergency. The site will still receive scheduled inspections by the usual agencies in order to obtain the TCO and CO. In other words, these projects are legally moving full steam ahead, regardless of any ethical or moral concerns. Cash is king and legal rights take precedence over ethics and morality.

As insignificant as signs may seem, some of them, at least according to the guidelines, are needed for "maintaining the safety.... and essential operation of....Essential Businesses and Operations."


These are new and interesting times we're living in. There are gray areas that some will feel are black and white. I'm not asking anyone what I should do....I'm just kind of laying my thoughts out and am interested to hear yours...

 

For me personally, the answer to all of these is questions is yes. My installs rarely require interaction with anyone on site.

I am a sole proprietor. No employees.

 

The example I listed is new construction. I'm certainly not rewriting the rules. I was careful to quote the guidelines. "Residential and Commercial Construction" is specifically listed as "Critical Infrastructure" as are the trades required to complete that construction. Some trades are specifically listed, the rest are covered under "other trades". Those are the "rules" written by the experts.

 

Yeah, I can see people thinking "we're about to be stuck at home for three weeks or more, let's go buy paint/mulch/whatever and get some projects done". They also probably reason they can do so without interacting with anyone since they can use self-checkout. Certainly not "Essential" activities, though.

 

Agreed. And for what it's worth, I certainly wouldn't use any of the guidelines as an excuse to to do any and all installs out there. There are definitely installs that don't qualify as "critical" and I'll decline to do those. But even for the trades following the guidelines, there are going to be plenty of people that don't agree with it. I'm certainty not going to let that impact my ability to make a living. The government isn't going to replace the money I'm losing, so if I can legally work and adhere to the provided guidelines and not endanger others in the process, I'm not going to cease and desist because it might upset someone.

 

True. The danger is there. I guess I was thinking if someone was vigilant and took precautions, it could be done (wipe TouchPad down with wipes after using, etc).

 

"Residential and Commercial Construction" doesn't include new construction? What kind of reasoning is that?

I didn't leave anything out - I included that excerpt in my opening post. I'm not making anything fit what I want it to be. I've already taken the initiative and postponed jobs that would have generated thousands but that I deem non-essential. I'm specifically discussing jobs that are still under construction.

I'll dumb it down: Drive anywhere around Dallas. Construction projects have not stopped. Why? Because part of "Essential Critical Infrastructure" is "Residential and Commercial Construction". Signs may seem insignificant, but a Certificate of Occupancy won't be given unless there are certain signs in place and they pass inspection.

 

To be clear, if there's a Shelter in Place issued, I don't think it's a good idea to go by paint and mulch for home projects. I was simply saying I could see how someone could (falsely) reason that what they're doing is ok.