By Sarah Spohr

While most office workers in Canada are already working from home and the majority of retail outlets have shuttered their doors, much of the construction industry is continuing to operate as usual. Many construction workers, worried for their health and the health of their families, are questioning whether they should be sent home for the duration of the pandemic. Others, equally worried about their health, aren’t sure how they will pay their bills if they are sent home.

When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction industry faces unique challenges. Whether your region is limiting group gatherings to 15, 10 or even 5 people, employers have a responsibility to protect their employees’ health and safety – and they earn goodwill and loyalty if they take steps to set their employees’ minds at ease.

Keep in mind that your employees have the right to refuse unsafe work. In the construction industry, that usually refers to a whole host of safety concerns. When it comes to COVID-19, however, it likely means developing a new set of plans to manage worksite exposures and demonstrate that your employees’ health is a priority. These plans should include:

  • Employee Policies
    • Encourage practicing non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and enforce it on site. Common NPIs include practicing physical distancing (at least 2 metres, or 6 feet); washing hands frequently; coughing/sneezing into an elbow; and avoiding touching the face, especially eyes, nose and mouth.
    • Require sick employees to stay home. Consider more generous sick-day policies in order to encourage this.
    • Limit in-person visits and meetings to the smallest possible number of participants, unless contributors can join remotely.
  • Site Policies
    • Develop hand-washing schedules and ensure sufficient locations and supplies are provided.
    • Enforce NPI etiquette among all workers, including supervisors, and on all sites.
    • Establish strict housekeeping policies around sanitizing commonly touched surfaces and tools, as well as the frequency with which it should be sanitized.
  • Project Policies
    • Support practicing NPIs by scheduling smaller crews on a project, staggering trades or running skeleton crews.
    • Eliminate non-essential in-person interactions with vendors and third parties.
    • Anticipate project delays and plan for it as much as possible.

Although most provinces are continuing to treat COVID-19 like other communicable diseases, some have adjusted their criteria to include WCB coverage under certain circumstances. For example, Alberta is considering coverage for essential workers – if they can prove that the contraction was caused by exposure in the workplace. They will also consider coverage for workers who work in a facility with an outbreak. But keep in mind that most instances of COVID-19 will not be considered work-related. Finding other ways to protect your employees and to make them more comfortable while at work can help your projects continue to move forward.

Contact HUB Risk Services to learn how to develop a plan that will help protect your business and employees from the unexpected. Get the latest information, guidance and resources on Coronavirus (COVID-19) to help you protect what matters most on our Coronavirus Resource Centre.