Good News for BOMA Members and the CRE Industry

Friday, April 17. 2020

The Department of Homeland Security DHS/CISA – has just released Version 3.0 of their Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.

Access the updated version of the document here.

From the document:

IDENTIFYING ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS
The following list of identified essential critical infrastructure workers is intended to be overly inclusive reflecting the diversity of industries across the United States.

Included in the document:

Within the link to Version 3.0 is this new section that BOMA has been promoting as needed confirmation and clarification.  Not only did BOMA’s suggestions make it into the commercial facilities section, but it’s pretty much verbatim from BOMA International’s letter:

• Workers supporting the operations of commercial buildings that are critical to safety, security, and the continuance of essential activities, such as on-site property managers, building engineers, security staff, fire safety directors, janitorial personnel, and service technicians (e.g., mechanical, HVAC, plumbers, electricians, and elevator).

We expect this DHS guidance document to continue to be an important reference point going forward. 

Congratulations to BOMA International and all those at the local and national level who have been working so diligently on behalf of members and the commercial real estate industry which compose an important component of our nation’s Critical Infrastructure.

COMMERCIAL FACILITIES

• Workers who support the supply chain of building materials from production through application and installation, including cabinetry, fixtures, doors, cement, hardware, plumbing (including parts and services), electrical, heating and cooling, refrigeration, appliances, paint and coatings, and workers who provide services that enable repair materials and equipment for essential functions.
• Workers supporting ecommerce through distribution, warehouse, call center facilities, and other essential operational support functions, that accept, store, and process goods, and that facilitate their transportation and delivery.
• Workers in hardware and building materials stores necessary to provide access to essential supplies, consumer electronics, technology and appliances retail, and related merchant wholesalers and distributors.
• Workers distributing, servicing, repairing, installing residential and commercial HVAC systems, boilers, furnaces and other heating, cooling, refrigeration, and ventilation equipment.
• Workers supporting the operations of commercial buildings that are critical to safety, security, and the continuance of essential activities, such as on-site property managers, building engineers, security staff, fire safety directors, janitorial personnel, and service technicians (e.g., mechanical, HVAC, plumbers, electricians, and elevator).

Management and staff at hotels and other temporary lodging facilities that provide for COVID-19 mitigation, containment, and treatment measures or provide accommodations for essential workers.