May 29, 2020
Source: Vancouver Sun
Published: May 29, 2020
Construction Sector United in Fight Against COVID-19 – OPEN LINK FOR LIST OF SIGNATORIES
Innovation was key to completing everyday jobs. For example, how do two workers cooperate to hang a door that measures five feet across and still achieve the goals of physical distancing? A forced air respirator proved essential to completing the task for one work team.
Companies shared their hard-won safety knowledge with each other, with industry associations, and with jurisdictions across the country. We worked closely with WorkSafeBC to establish new protocols and educate employers and workers on what they needed to do to work safely.
The construction industry’s response has not always been perfect, but it has been successful to date. So far, no outbreaks or clusters have been reported, and as of May 13, WorkSafeBC has recorded only one incident of a construction worker contracting COVID-19 on a job site.
But we also recognize that the job isn’t finished. The construction industry will continue to adhere to these critical safety measures and adapt and improve them as new information comes to light.
As BC positions itself for a phased re-opening over the next 18 to 24 months, the construction industry provides a template for doing so safely. We offer our hard-won knowledge as a resource so that we can work with other businesses and industries to lead an economic recovery — with a mix of optimism, caution and expertise — together.