Ontario Construction News staff writer
With COVID-19 cases escalating across the country, newer and deadlier variants of concern threatening wider age groups, and a slow rollout of vaccines, it is essential to remain vigilant and follow worksite health and safety protocols as well as public health measures.
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has updated its COVID-19 standardized protocols for all Canadian construction sites.
Changes underline the urgency around following health guidelines on worksites, including wearing an N-95 mask or a commercial-grade equivalent, maintaining physical distance while traveling to and from worksites, limiting your daily contacts, working remotely when possible, and washing your hands frequently.
COVID-19 — Standardized Protocols for All Canadian Construction Sites
The health, safety and well-being of our workers and the communities in which we operate has always been the top priority of the more than 20,000 member firms of CCA.
“CCA continues to consult with government on amplifying the supply of PPE and adjusting vaccine eligibility criteria to prioritize essential workers, including on-site construction workers,” Mary Van Buren, CCA president said in a statement.
CCA has also been working with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to implement rapid testing on federal construction sites. A pilot program is being rolled out at the end of the week on the Centre Block rehabilitation project in Ottawa.
“It is vital to Canada’s health and economy that our strong track record of safety continues into this third and potentially more challenging wave,” Van Buren said. “You have worked very hard to make sure your worksites are safe and have gone the extra mile to respond to the needs of your communities.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. We will get through this crisis together.”
