Province issues guidelines for construction sites due to COVID-19

After some construction workers raised concerns about conditions at work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the province has stepped in with new guidelines.

An order has been issued banning gatherings of more than 50 people, but it does not apply to the construction industry.

The province said in a statement the public health officer is however “directing employers to take all necessary precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to themselves and their employees.”

Some of these precautions include:

• There should be no more than 50 people in the same space in any circumstances.
• Where possible, employees should maintain a distance of two metres apart from each other.
• Post signage that limits the number of occupants in any elevator to four people at a time.
• Reduce in-person meetings and other gatherings and hold site meetings in open spaces or outside.
• Increase the number of handwashing stations and post signage that identifies their location.
• Maintain a list of employees that are currently working on sites and update this list daily.
• All common areas and surfaces should be cleaned at the end of each day. Examples include washrooms, shared offices, common tables, desks, light switches and door handles.
• Anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, sneezing or coughing, must self-isolate at home for 14 days.

Officials add that employers are still require to provide a minimum standard around the provision of washrooms and hand washing facilities.

They say where plumbed facilities are impracticable, employers must provide access to portable washroom and hand-washing facilities.

Those facilities must be maintained in good working order and must be provided with the supplies necessary for their use.

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