How the construction industry is getting back on track after lockdown
The Covid-19 pandemic hit many industries really hard in the first half of 2020. In fact, we’ve now officially entered a recession, so the financial difficulties certainly aren’t over yet. One of the industries hardest hit was the construction industry. Whilst construction was allowed to continue during lockdown, it was often near impossible for construction companies to source materials and supplies. Thankfully, non-essential businesses have been allowed to re-open, so the construction supply chain has been moving once more, but there have been many other difficulties for the construction industry during this time. Construction companies, like many other businesses, have had to change and adapt the way they work in order to comply with Covid-19 safety measures.
Regular training and updates
The construction industry has always been good at keeping their worker safe, but this is more important now than ever before. Safety briefings now include ensuring that everyone understands all the rules put in place to help combat Covid-19 before they are allowed construction site access. It’s important that records are kept for each worker to show when they’ve completed any training whether it’s on-site or elsewhere.
There are also training centres that offer simulation based training too which can be a great way to offer true to life training without taking up time and resources in the workplace.
Adequate safety equipment
Many construction sites will need to use equipment in order to keep their workers safe, particularly when there are hazards such as large holes on building sites. It’s really important to make use of adequate safety barriers to ensure that hazards are clearly marked and cordoned off, you can read on here about the different options.
Beyond general site equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) remains paramount for individual worker safety. Eye protection, in particular, is critical on construction sites where hazards like flying debris, dust, and UV exposure are common. Workers frequently transition between indoor and outdoor environments, or areas with varying light levels, which can pose challenges for consistent vision and protection. To address this, many professionals are now opting for advanced solutions that adapt to these changes. For instance, transition safety glasses automatically adjust their tint from clear to dark, ensuring optimal visibility and continuous eye safety regardless of the lighting conditions. This eliminates the need to carry multiple pairs of glasses, streamlining workflow and enhancing compliance.
By combining comprehensive site-level safety measures with appropriate personal protective equipment, construction companies create multiple layers of protection for their workforce. This integrated approach not only reduces the risk of accidents but also demonstrates a commitment to worker wellbeing that can improve morale and productivity across the entire project.
Social Distancing
One of the phrases I’d never heard before but now hear pretty much every day is “social distancing.” Has a nation, we’ve become accustomed to keeping two metres apart (or one metre with extra precautions). We’re used to seeing the markers on the floor when we queue up at the supermarket and it’s become a new normal part of our everyday lives.
In the past, it’s been common for lots of construction workers to be packed into one space, particularly when there are lots of trades working together to complete a project. Social distancing has meant that construction companies often need to use fewer workers at a time to limit the risk. This inevitably means projects take longer than they would have done before.
Test, track and trace
The test, track and trace system means that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms can now be tested free of charge and find out their results usually within 24 hours. Before this system came into play, anyone with any of the symptoms would have been required to self-isolate. Now, a negative result means that they can continue to work without worrying they might have the virus.
Risk assessments
Risk assessments now include the risks involved with Covid-19 in circulation. This will mean making sure there is access to hand sanitizer throughout the site and that all equipment and materials are kept as clean as possible. There will also need to be measures in place to ensure that social distancing can be adhered to where possible.
There are many challenges for the construction industry at the moment, but there are measures in place to ensure workers are kept as safe as possible. It’s great to see projects up and running again after such a long quiet spell. By taking extra precautions and being proactive, we can all help businesses to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
