Industry Trends

Safe Working in the Construction Industry

3 min read

During 2020, every employer’s goal has quickly become to provide a way for their customers to safely purchase or consume their product. In the construction industry is the first priority.

Whether that be in warehouses, distribution centers, retail stores, you name it. Safety is a top priority in the construction industry. With Rogers doing construction work in many different sectors of business, safety on the job site is top priority. But things are looking pretty different now that COVID-19 is a factor in the equation.

Industry experts have launched a new safety training course for safe working in the construction industry. An online program called CovCert is designed to provide employees with safety training amidst COVID-19. [i]

“CovCert is aimed at employees who are returning to work on construction sites. The courses are intended to raise Covid-19 awareness and provide employees with the knowledge required to minimize the risk of transmission and infection within the workplace, as well as providing an induction for new employees and informing on up to date guidance.” – Andrew Warring, managing director of Green Hat Consulting [i]

During 2020, every employer’s goal has quickly become to provide a way for their customers to safely purchase or consume their product. In the construction industry is the first priority.

Whether that be in warehouses, distribution centers, retail stores, you name it. Safety is a top priority in the construction industry. With Rogers doing construction work in many different sectors of business, safety on the job site is top priority. But things are looking pretty different now that COVID-19 is a factor in the equation.

Industry experts have launched a new safety training course for safe working in the construction industry. An online program called CovCert is designed to provide employees with safety training amidst COVID-19. [i]

“CovCert is aimed at employees who are returning to work on construction sites. The courses are intended to raise Covid-19 awareness and provide employees with the knowledge required to minimize the risk of transmission and infection within the workplace, as well as providing an induction for new employees and informing on up to date guidance.” – Andrew Warring, managing director of Green Hat Consulting [i]

OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry

According to OSHA, the construction industry is taking many precautionary steps while on the job site. While projects like these involve a lot of communication and contact with different project managers, construction workers, electricians, etc. There are many ways to minimize these in-person meetings. Some of these include adopting staggering work schedules to reduce the total number of employees on a job site at any given time. And to ensure physical distancing.

Companies identify areas where employees are more likely to stand close to each other and implement policies to maintain social distancing. They also coordinate site deliveries in line with the employer’s minimal contact and cleaning protocols with delivery personnel remaining in their vehicles as much as possible. [ii] In person meetings should be kept short while using social distancing practices. Likewise, site managers should ensure clean toilet and handwashing facilities with disinfectant and hand sanitation readily available to all. [ii] In turn, managers should also use their discretion to decide if workers need additional PPE gear to what they typically wear, but focus on preventative measures outside of PPE. [ii]

CDC Standards for the Construction Industry

The CDC recommends cloth face coverings in the construction industry as a protective measure in addition to social distancing. Managers are being instructed to train construction workers on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. As well as with other workers in different business sectors, construction employees are encouraged to stay home if they are feeling sick. Accordingly, the will inform their manager if they are exposed to someone who tested positive. Employees on job sites are informed of proper cleaning practices and alternatives to shaking hands

While many construction projects have either been postponed or cancelled. It is Rogers Electric’s #1 priority to keep our employees and our customers safe during these unknown times. Precautionary steps advised by both the CDC and OSHA are Rogers Electric’s top priority on job sites. Concurrently, we are excited to continue with the many projects we have going on currently in our construction department and in the future. Head on over to our Construction page to read more about the services we offer.

 

[i] https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-west/covid-course-launched-for-construction-industry
[ii] https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/construction.html#:~:text=Keep%20in%2Dperson%20meetings%20(including,Fill%20hand%20sanitizer%20dispensers%20regularly.