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November 6, 2020
It is undeniable that the pandemic has impacted every country. The coronavirus has economies spiraling. The construction industry is taking a major hit too. Luckily, there are tips on how to manage construction projects during COVID.
All infrastructure projects have been put on hold and owners have the intention of resuming work to a later date. This ultimately led to other issues such as countless construction workers losing their jobs and cost pressures breathing into the necks of construction firms.
The future remains uncertain and the lingering question in the air is regarding how infrastructure building can continue at this time. We’ve rounded up 5 helpful pieces of advice to best manage your construction projects despite the complications brought about by the pandemic. Read on!
The problems caused by the coronavirus are constantly evolving. The regulations mitigated to stop its spreading are also continuously changing. With that being said, you must know the advisory updates issued by your local government.
Take note that this may differ from city to city. In the Philippines, some cities are under modified enhanced community quarantine. Meanwhile, others have transitioned to general community quarantine. If your construction projects are located in different parts of the country, you’ll need to adjust your operations accordingly.
Social distancing of at least 6 feet, proper and frequent handwashing, and respiratory etiquette. These are the new normal health protocols that everyone must practice. What’s true for the local grocery stores is also applicable to your construction sites. In fact, the construction industry will have to take more precautions.
The sharing of tools and equipment should be limited as they can pose the risk of infection. Construction firms will need to ensure that alcohol-based sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, and soaps are available at all times. Everyone needs to be educated on sanitizing work areas.
Moreover, workers must avoid close contact with others, which includes site visitors. And let’s not forget the proper construction attire. Everyone must wear full-sleeved clothing, long pants, hard hats, sturdy work boots, and the N95 face mask. In addition, the company must check temperatures before working on-site.
Despite the many reminders of public health officials regarding health measures, it is still vital that you train your workers to follow the necessary health measures. After all, this is for everyone’s safety.
The local government released an advisory regarding flexible working arrangements. This was done not only to ensure that social distancing practices are maintained but also to support companies financially and avoid widespread job unemployment.
With this, you need to consider adjusting worker schedules. Encourage staggered breaks and lunches. Given that the virus is highly contagious, it will be practical to divide the shifts into two groups to not overcrowd building sites. This may not completely speed up your construction project, but it is the most effective way to keep operations working.
Let your workers know that it is okay to take a day off if they’re feeling sick. Some of them may not want to take breaks because of financial matters. It’s important that you encourage them with paid sick leaves.
What’s scary about the coronavirus is that you’ll never know who is asymptomatic. Adjusting schedules is a small price to pay when it comes to peace of mind from infection risks.
During these unprecedented times, situations are changing daily, leaving your construction turn over date unsecured. Now more than ever, communication is an important aspect.
Given the uncertainties, distrust between parties may occur. All parties such as workers, lenders, consultants, suppliers, owners, and other stakeholders must be on the same page regarding operations. Build a culture of trust by being straight forward with everyone involved.
While on-site in-person meetings are not encouraged at the moment, you can try to turn to video conferences. Take advantage of the online platforms available.
As stated earlier, these are unprecedented times. To avoid any further damage to operations, make sure all teams have backup personnel. As scary as it is, no one is 100% safe from the coronavirus. Know the proper protocol when you have an infected worker.
Also, keep in mind that quarantine travel restrictions are still being mandated. This can result in workers having trouble going to sites. A good move would be to have company shuttles or support worker carpooling.
Work with reliable material suppliers and contractors to ensure that delivery dates are not going to suffer.
Here are the tips on how to manage construction projects during COVID. While you can follow all these, it would always be wise to hire only the best team for your construction needs.
At Cross-Link, we know how to work around challenges. Our professional team is dedicated to providing quality services for clients. Whether it’s electrical, mechanical, civil structural, general construction, or trade of products – we’re ready to make your dream projects come to life.
Click here to learn more about our services!
