In two short weeks, P.E.I.’s construction industry has adapted to minimize the danger of the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain) on jobsites, say industry representatives.
Sam Sanderson, president of the Construction Association of P.E.I., says his organization has worked with builders and representatives from public health to develop a guide for job sites operating in the midst of the pandemic. The 23-page guide was posted on the CAPEI website last week.
"We had nothing two weeks ago," Sanderson said, referring to the guidelines.
Sanderson said the guide has been reviewed by staff from the Chief Public Health Office and the Workers Compensation Board of P.E.I. Although the CPHO has not issued its own protocols for construction sites, the CAPEI guide has been based on recommendations issued by P.E.I.’s Chief Public Health Office, particularly related to handwashing, cough etiquette and social distancing.
The comprehensive guide includes detailed instruction on social distancing for workers and contractors. In order to maintain a two-metre distance, workers are urged to limit groups in orientation, lunch and meeting rooms. For example, the guide recommends staggering lunch breaks to limit gatherings and requires contractors to regularly inspect sites to ensure workers are practising self-distancing.
The guide also recommends having water washing stations at job sites, as well as hand sanitizer. Sharing of tools and equipment is discouraged, and all visitors and workers on a job site are required to complete a questionnaire to determine if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. Contractors are required to verify workers are free from symptoms at the beginning and end of each shift.
Allan Manley, executive officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association-P.E.I., said different trades, such as plumbers and electricians, generally avoid being on the same job sites at the same time on smaller or medium-sized jobsites. This has minimized contact and has allowed smaller crews to maintain social distancing as much as possible.
"You're not breathing down somebody's neck. So, as long as they are responsible, they are using hand sanitizer or what-have-you, they're doing it as much as any workplace would expect," Manley said.
Manley said work is continuing with builds that had already begun before mid-March. Those that have not yet started have largely stood down.
"We've not laid anyone off. We're the people that are eating it right now."
-Tim Banks
Andrew Garth, owner of Ravenwood Stairways, said there is good reason for existing construction to continue, even for single-family detached homes.
“What we're trying to do is get people places to live. We're in a housing crisis,” Garth said, who added the recommendations from the CPHO are being observed by tradespeople and contractors.
He also said it has become common for most contractors to ask workers about their comfort level with continuing work.
"It's real. Social distancing on my sites is real," Garth said.
"Most of those times, people are taking a deep breath and we're separating out. We're either going to a different floor if that's available if it's a large house. If it's a smaller house, they're going to different job sites."
Tim Banks, CEO of APM, said his company has a pandemic plan, which is adhered to by all subtrades, suppliers and staff. He said different trades are sometimes at the same site but stay apart.
"We've got insulators in one floor and seam fillers on the other floor and we're keeping them distanced apart and electricians distanced apart," Banks said.
"Safety's a big issue with me. I lost an uncle on one of my sites many years ago and I've made it a priority within my company."
Banks added that his company has tried to minimize layoffs as much as possible but said staff on job sites is down about 25 per cent from normal operation.
He said APM is doing its best to ensure tradespeople are continuing to receive a paycheque in the midst of an economy that is seeing massive layoffs.
"We've not laid anyone off. We're the people that are eating it right now."
