When Premier Doug Ford announced the Province’s list of essential services and businesses last week, there was surprise in some quarters at the wide range of work that made the cut - including all types of construction.
While some construction companies have closed their sites, others are carrying on with business as usual - in many cases introducing new rules for screening of workers coming onto the site, and making hand sanitizing stations available.
Some workers in the industry are afraid to work, worried about catching COVID-19, as social distancing is often not possible on sites where large crews may be working in close proximity.
They also worry about the effectiveness of measures being taken to ensure cleanliness and sanitation, concerned that they may catch the virus and pass it on to their families at home.
Bradford’s Sarah Hamacher, a physiotherapist at Southlake Regional Health Centre currently on maternity leave, says she is worried about her husband - a site coordinator for a construction company.
Although he can work from home most of the time, there are several days a week when he needs to be on site. Since he is asthmatic, Sarah is very concerned about the threat of a virus that attacks the respiratory system.
“It would hit him hard,” she said.
Chris Ferguson is a security technician, still working everyday. “I deal with fire monitoring and life safety. We can’t exactly shut down fully,” said the Bradford resident.
Ferguson said the other technicians at his work have been laid off, but the company still requires someone to keep things running smoothly. He has been provided with hand sanitizer, gloves and masks, and told he has the right to refuse unsafe work.
“Safety and family is number one," he said. "If I feel I shouldn’t go in somewhere or need to be more careful, I will never get given a hard time.”
Giovanni Caniello also works in construction, as a foreman, but says he feels safe going into work everyday.
Lately his role has been more about ensuring employees are adhering to social distancing rules, and participating in daily safety meetings. His office has plenty of sanitizer and hand wipes; most people are working from home when they can, and no one is signing off on any paperwork to avoid spreading more germs.
“In the GTA, everyone is keeping their distance,” Caniello said.
“I think at this point he is more nervous grocery shopping than going to work,” said his wife Amber.
PCL, one of Canada’s largest construction companies, said that they are taking all measures necessary to ensure their workers are safe on the job.
“In a situation that is changing daily, we are continually monitoring new developments and adjusting our response to help flatten the curve and mitigate the impact of COVID-19,” said Shane Jones, CPL Media Relations.
“We continue to follow guidelines and recommendations from government and the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Canada and local health authorities. The guidance includes following government directions that classify construction as an essential business in many of the areas we operate.”
Jones said his company has increased its health and safety measures across all operations, including the following steps:
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Asking employees to work remotely where possible.
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Canceling business travel and company events, including social events and conference attendance.
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Donating N95 respirators to local health authorities.
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Supporting staff with robust collaboration technology to aid in critical ongoing projects.
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Encouraging the use of Employee Assistance Programs in the U.S. and Canada for anyone who needs additional support during these unprecedented times.
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Creating a Pandemic Response Committee, which meets daily to assess the current situation and adjusts response as necessary.
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Increasing hygiene and safety measures by reducing employee populations through staggered breaks and lunch schedules, implementing site access best practices at jobsites and practicing social distancing.
In a newsletter, MPP for York-Simcoe Caroline Mulroney noted, "Employers have obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations to protect workers from hazards in the workplace, including infectious diseases. Through the new job-protected leave legislation, workers are encouraged to follow the advice of medical professionals and can do so without fear of losing their jobs."
Workers can report any concerns about workplace hazards related to COVID-19 to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development using Ontario’s health and safety hotline at 1-877-202-0008.
As of March 23, the Ministry had responded to 268 construction-related complaints and reports, made 122 on-site visits and issued 67 orders - including the shutting down of a GTA construction site on March 27, for not complying with the proper safety rules and protocols surrounding COVID-19.
