The Government of BC – Guidance to Construction Sites Operating During COVID-19 – Released March 22, 2020
Punjabi translation (click here)
The B.C. government and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, are taking unprecedented measures to slow the transmission of COVID-19. Henry issued an order under the Public Health Act prohibiting the gathering of people in excess of 50 people at a place of which a person is the owner, occupier or operator, or for which they are otherwise responsible. Employers in the construction industry are asking for clarity about what this means for them.
While this order does not apply to construction sites as a whole, the public health officer is directing employers to take all necessary precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to themselves and their employees. This includes:
- There should be no more than 50 people in the same space in any circumstance.
- 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.
For more information on the COVID-19 response, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/COVID19
HAVAN’s FREE COVID-19 WEBINAR SERIES:
Construction Site Safety During COVID-19 – Builders’ Panel, presented April 6,2020
This webinar features Bob Deeks, President, RDC Fine Homes, Cam Knowles, Construction Manager, Trillium Projects and Dr. Melanie Gorman Ng, Senior Research Scientist, BC Construction Safety Alliance discussing best health and safety construction site practices and logical solutions during COVID-19.
VANCOUVER FIRE DEPARTMENT CONSTRUCTION FIRE SAFETY – April 2020
A full-time Construction Safety Officer is required to be present on the construction site at all
times during construction. MORE
BC CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ALLIANCE (BCCSA)
Recommended mask procedures pertaining to new variants. (April 1, 2021)
COVID-19 AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
This is a guide for employers to use as a toolbox talk or safety meeting when discussing the COVID-19 virus with their workers on a construction site. Additional resources listed below:
New – May 26: COVID-19 Health Screening Tool (download)
Resources & Signage: https://www.bccsa.ca/index.php?id=451
Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.bccsa.ca/index.php?id=454
Updated Guidance on Covid-19
New: Employer Covid-19 Site Inspection (download)
New: Hazard Assessment and Control (download)
Updated: What if Physical Distancing is not Possible (download) – reposted after temporarily removing
New: Everyone do their part – Poster (download)
Pandemic Handwashing Station on a Construction Site (download)
Mental Health Resources: https://www.bccsa.ca/index.php?id=455
NEW: Guidance to Employers: Performing Work in Private Residences (download)
Presumed COVID-19 Case on Site Procedures (download)
BC WORK SAFE
Health and Safety Responsibilities When Working From Home
Preventing exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace: A guide for employers
Construction and COVID-19 Safety
Reporting and Payment Deadlines
HAVAN MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
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