In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, BC construction employers are doing their best to keep up with the latest safety information and protocols to keep workplaces compliant with provincial regulations and allow workers to proceed with the best available guidance. As part of its service to members, the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) is curating an up-to-date collection of information and resources related to COVID-19 on its website splash page.
Ensuring that these resources represent the best information available are BCCSA’s Erin Linde, director of health and safety services, and Melanie Gorman Ng, senior research scientist.
“Working in prevention during a time of pandemic is a matter of imaging the worst that could happen and offering resources to help our members ensure that these worst case scenarios don’t happen,” says Gorman Ng. “The challenge for our members has been to find resources that reflect what is currently understood about COVID-19 and construction work.”
BCCSA has consulted with its members and WorkSafeBC to collect best practices and best available information on the virus. Resources include practical information such as guidance on: two-metre physical distancing; how to assess work where physical distancing appears impossible; enhanced surface cleaning and disinfection measures; providing on-site handwashing stations; and employer site inspections in light of COVID-19. There’s also a page on administering , in light of the pandemic.
“What’s understood about COVID 19 and best practices continues to evolve,” says Gorman Ng. “We’re updating the information regularly so our members know what represents the newest information.”
The website also provides recordings of conference calls featuring Gorman Ng and the association’s regional safety advisors.
“We hold these calls at 9 am and any member can join to ask questions in real time,” she says. “We’ve addressed a lot of questions about the proper use of masks and respirators, for example. Another important resource is a COVID-19 self-assessment tool and app provide by the provincial Ministry of Health. Preventing sick people from arriving on a construction site, even with mild symptoms, is the most important way to prevent an outbreak on a project.”
BC construction businesses can continue to operate if parameters can be put in place to keep workers safe. Although information continues to evolve, here are BCCSA’s current guidelines for construction sites at the time of publication:
- Reduce the number of people on-site to facilitate physical distancing between workers. If needed, adjust schedules, alternate shifts or scale back operations.
- Wear PPE when required.
- Workers should not congregate in break areas and lunchrooms.
- Workers should not share PPE.
- Workers should not share tools.
- Introduce extra handwashing stations.
- Do not spit on worksites.
- Do not share cigarettes and/or vaping equipment.
- Do not use sea cans as breakrooms.
- Do not rideshare/carpool to/from work with people outside your household.
- Clean out jobsite trailers daily — arrange for commercial cleaners to clean and disinfect areas of the project.
- Introduce an on-site COVID-19 committee to create a best practice plan to ensure worker safety. Involve the workers when possible.
- Create a pandemic task force focused on supporting your company’s staff and customers.
- Make sure workers know about the Ministry of Health self-assessment tool.
- Make sure workers know they should not come to work if they are feeling sick.
“Our members are familiar with construction safety protocols, but for many it’s the first time they’ve encountered an infectious disease that impacts the workplace,” says Linde. “We encourage them to learn what they can from the best information available, with the knowledge that this situation won’t last forever.”
This content is an Industry Special by BCCSA in collaboration with ConstructConnect® Media. To learn more about BCCSA, visit www.bccsa.ca.
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