Managing COVID-19 on the Worksite
While Nova Scotia has ordered that there be no gatherings of more than 5 people, the restriction does not currently apply to construction worksites (it applies to social events, conferences, etc.).
Workers’ health and safety is a top priority. Although construction sites are exempt from guidelines on gatherings, anyone who’s sick should not be going to work. Additional health and safety precautions should be put in place and information shared with crews. Operations should only continue while it is safe to do so.
Dos:
- If needed, adjust schedules or scale back operations,
- Wear PPE at all times that it is safe to do so – safety goggles, masks, and gloves,
- Introduce extra handwashing stations,
- 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 practices plan to ensure worker safety,
- Create a task force focused on supporting your company’s staff and customers,
- Make sure workers know about the Ministry of Health self-assessment tool,
- Don’ts:
- Workers should not congregate in break areas and lunchrooms,
- Workers should not share PPE,
- Workers should not share tools,
- Workers should not come to work if they’re feeling ill.