Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, construction workers were already facing severe job-related risks. These spanned from minor injuries to death. However, with the global pandemic running wild, construction workers are at higher risk of contracting the virus than many other professions.
According to an article from a Databid blog titled: Increase in Construction Worker Deaths in Ontario, we have to ask ourselves the following question: Why are construction workers at higher risk of exposure to Covid-19? The answer is pretty simple. The type of work they do makes it difficult to consistently maintain physical distance. The access to elevators on sites is limited, and lunch and break areas are often enclosed. Most importantly, work is typically done in pairs.
Moreover, there is also the issue of possible confusion regarding whose responsibility it is to communicate with health departments. It is also unclear which information they should report, etc.
Since April 23rd, Toronto Public Health has closed four construction sites and companies due to the Covid-19 outbreaks. The last stopped project was the Dundas condo project, which is one year away from completion. The order to cease work came after the outbreak of 11 confirmed Covid-19 cases on the site.
The Globe and Mail stated that since the beginning of 2021, Toronto Public Health has associated more than 240 cases with construction sites. These are all large-scale developments conducted by companies such as Menkes Development Inc., Mizrahi Inc., Daniels, Concord Adex, and Fitzrovia Real Estate. Concrete forming companies and contractors have not been spared the outbreaks either. Thus, day-to-day operations on The Moro Group Inc., Black and McDonald, PCL Construction and EllisDon Corp. construction sites have also been affected.
According to General Contractor Los Angeles, the closing of sites will undoubtedly lead to delays. Even during regular times, developers have to handle unplanned situations and figure out ways to stick to a schedule.
In many cases, it's up to companies to implement protective measures that will ensure the safety of their employees. A recent DataBid blog titled: Latest Technology to Improve Ontario Construction & Safety during the Pandemic states that EllisDon is one such company that requires its employees to wear both masks and goggles, or even face shields when working indoors. In addition, they have introduced screening tests, which they perform twice per week.
Steve Chaplin, vice-president of health, safety and environment for EllisDon, stated that the number of tests they do is the reason why their company has been associated with some positive cases on several construction sites. He also underlined that they have worked with Toronto Public Health to close some of their projects.
Have construction workers contracted the virus on construction sites?
While many people who tested positive for the virus are construction workers, we cannot simply imply that they got infected on the construction site. Many people carpool together, gather outside of their workplace, and generally have a pretty irresponsible attitude toward safety measures. Such cases should not be attributed to construction sites.
The situation seems to be getting better
While there was concern a few weeks ago that the spread of COVID-19 on construction sites was getting out of hand and serious measures (on top of the general 'non-essential' lockdown) would be required, public health data in the last week or so suggests that things are indeed coming under control -- with rapidly increasing vaccination levels and general adherence to public health measures. As an example, Ottawa with a population of a bit more than a million, received more than 100,000 Pfizer/Moderna vaccination doses last week. Overall, about 60 per cent of the population has now received their first shot before giving the second one (except for exceptionally high risk individuals).
At this time, it doesn't look like things will be forced into a deeper lockdown, even though current restrictions will continue for a few more weeks at least to truly tame things.
Editor's note: This is, indeed, a confusing time for the construction industry. DataBid is working tirelessly to report and distill the news that can help you and your company make the right decisions and keep you up to date on the constant changes as they are made. We hope our coverage brings some clarity amid all the confusion.
