Starting from Asia, the outbreak of COVID-19 has shaken the entire global economy extending its reach to the United States. With severe loss of health and economy, it has going to be one of those incidents that will be a landmark in history.
While the impact of COVID-19 on human health is on its peak in the United States, the construction industry is also one of the areas which are highly devastated with the pandemic.
Either it is the disturbance in supply chain or massive restrictions that have halted the construction activities, things have turned for worse. However, the Federal and State authorities have decided to permit the construction work at certain sites considering the mildness of the cases or the necessity of the projects.
But still, local authorities and health organizations in the United States like OSHA, CDC, and WHO have prepared a special set of guidelines for the sites where work will be continued. These guidelines are made to avoid any chance of contagion and ensure the maximum safety of the employees while project work proceeds.
Apart from social distancing and preventing any physical contact with the people is an essential practice to follow, there are still certain rules which can help to improve safety at the construction sites.
Screening Medical Records
The first step which construction firms need to take is to go for quick screening of past medical records of all office employees and workers. This is because people who are suffering through conditions like anxiety, cancer, cardiac problems, depression, or diabetes are more likely to catch the infection.
Screening past medical records will be of huge advantage to the construction firms in locating high-risk employees so that they can stay at home in a safe environment. But to achieve these goals, it is essential to run rapid health assessment at the sites to detect any chances of contagion.
Moreover, the construction firms could take advantage of health assessments by coordinating with government organizations like NHS or even a private service under the health and safety provisions of the employment. Apart from this, the employees who are sick should be assured of the confidentiality of the tests and screening results to avoid unnecessary panic.
Safety Equipment
The next big thing on which highly affected the unimmunized construction industry should emphasize is provision for all the safety equipment and gear that can help avoid any chances of infection. For instance, CDC guidelines related to masks could help prevent the exchange of viruses from respiratory droplets while coughing, sneezing, or even talking.
Besides, the construction workers should be introduced and informed on the need for wearing masks, gloves, and practicing social distancing (6 feet rule) to prevent the spread. Also, the masks, gloves, and other equipment used by the workers should be kept isolated from one another and it should be properly washed and sanitized in routine.
Social Distancing is the Key
The spread of COVID-19 has to lead to a feeling of terror and fear in people because of the inability to find the right cure for the disease. Therefore, construction workers and site managers must be informed of the need for social distancing as it can help avoid the transfer of the tiny respiratory droplets between people who may lead to the aggressive spread of infection.
For this reason, six feet rule could be followed at all the times by marking circles at the site six feet distance in between.
Even if your workers are wearing the safety equipment, it is vital to maintain distance cutting down the chances of risk. Tapes and corners could be used at the sites to mark the safe distance and also the commonly used areas like water area or food area or restrooms should be controlled to avoid contact between two people.
Temperature Logs or Temperature Record
With EEOC’s guidelines on recording the temperature of employees by the employers, the recording of temperature should be made an essential part of routine until things get normal.
Employers should designate special teams to keep a check of temperature two times a day i.e. morning and evening. But still, to seek cooperation from the staff, the structure of temperature mapping and implementation process should be discussed at priority.
Apart from this, the areas which are considered to be the most affected can practice the log sessions thrice a day as a matter of safety. Moreover, the use of infrared thermometers that can record temperature from distance should be encouraged to avoid any scope of physical contact between people.
Sanity and Cleaning Checks
Last but not least, the construction sites need to work strictly on the sanity and cleaning of the sites. This can be done to avoid any scope of infection which a person may develop by coming into the contact of surfaces. As per the information shared by the CDC and WHO, the virus could stay active for hours on different surfaces. Therefore, construction companies must invest in stuff that can help to maintain sanitization.
This can be done using various types of mechanical equipment and machinery such as a manual mist sprayer or a thermal fogger at big sites. The frequent sanitization and cleaning of the sites will not only clean the surfaces but will also disinfect the air.
However, the use of soap solutions, bleach, and alcohol-based medical cleaning products must be done to ensure zero chance of spread at the site.
The Crux
Though most construction sites are designed with careful consideration to health and hazard guidelines, the fight against COVID-19 demands some extra efforts. Since the activities and ideas to prevent hazards at the workplace vary from project to project, risk assessment is the most significant aspect of ensuring safety at the workplace in case of novel coronavirus spread.
Therefore, construction companies that are still actively working on projects must go for essential assessment of the sites. Also, the construction companies and the contractors should consider safety as essential as project planning and construction project management software that helps in business continuity and promoting wellness for the workers.
Good Luck! Stay Safe!
Author Bio:
Scarlett Jonathon is the Head of Marketing at ProjectPro, a venture dedicated to delivering MS Dynamics 365 Business Central based accounting solutions for the construction industry. She has a knack for the MS Dynamics and Marketing industry since she aligns well with the idea of end-user experience and driving sales.
She is fond of traveling and loves to explore places especially nature. She believes traveling helps to rejuvenate creativity and boost her energy and perform better with her work.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scarlett-jonathon-64566b167/
Email: [email protected]
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