The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized the industrial sector. While many workers transitioned to remote positions, other jobs required in-person tasks. Employees in the construction sector experienced significant production limitations during the lockdown.

Many builders were unable to abide by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), putting them out of business or closing their doors temporarily. The construction companies that made it through implemented effective safety routines, minimizing illness and injury on the job. Some of these pandemic-related safety trends had positive impacts on the industry.

How COVID-19 Transformed the Construction Sector

The pandemic interfered with various construction projects. Supply chain deficiencies and low employee numbers limited the efficiency of construction. The era of COVID also brought other building-related challenges to the surface.

Project managers began re-evaluating job site safety routines as the demand for workers increased. Reducing on-site injuries was essential to maintaining employment numbers. Individuals also assessed the impact of construction work on employees’ mental health during the pandemic.

Many individuals canceled or postponed their construction projects during the pandemic because of health and safety concerns. Job scarcity increased stress levels among workers in the industry. Financial struggles and uncertainties also impacted individuals’ emotional well-being.

The pandemic additionally highlighted sanitation concerns. One example: Poor indoor ventilation practices expose employees to contaminants and other health-compromising elements. Construction professionals evaluated on-site challenges and developed effective solutions to improve safety measures.

Minimize Close-Contact Interactions By Using Barriers

Decision-makers can improve worker health and safety on a job site by using plastic sheet barriers. Indoor construction projects increase an employee’s susceptibility to COVID without adequate prevention measures. If individuals are unable to wear masks inside during their project, professionals should divide the site into sections using plastic sheets.

The sheets may act as barriers, limiting occupancy sizes and the spread of diseases. Builders can also separate healthy workers from those with symptoms or recent exposures to the COVID-19 virus. Reducing interactions with those who may be ill can improve project efficiency.

Erecting barriers and minimizing employee-to-employee contact may effectively increase on-site health and safety conditions. Individuals can additionally improve working conditions by enhancing and updating training programs.

Develop Improved Safety Training Programs

Nearly 20% of job site fatalities occur in the construction sector. Builders can reduce on-site injuries by improving their employee training programs. Effective training techniques can also enhance construction efficiencies, helping individuals complete more projects over time.

Many on-site injuries occur from reckless machine operation, exceeding load limits, and poor maintenance practices. Construction managers can place speed limits on a project site, preventing unsafe driving practices. They may highlight the speed limits and monitoring features in training programs, ensuring employee compliance.

Professionals may also discuss the different load limits on heavy machines in training, preventing weight-related damage. Educating workers on regular maintenance practices also reduces on-site injuries from equipment. Construction managers may ensure safety on the ground by teaching employees to avoid obstacles.

They can also use the Internet of Things (IoT) and simulators to train individuals remotely, limiting contact. The technologies help workers learn in safe and controlled spaces. Simulators also teach employees adequate machine operation skills without any risk of injury.

Managers may also add CDC health regulations to their training programs to improve employee health. They can highlight the importance of distancing on job sites and define where they require face coverings.

Increase Indoor Ventilation on Construction Sites

When construction professionals work on indoor projects, their exposure to airborne contaminants increases. Many building materials contain harsh chemicals, affecting employees’ health and safety. Some components emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment, irritating construction workers’ throats, eyes, and noses.

By adding proper ventilation, individuals can increase their protection against contaminants and airborne illnesses. The CDC also recommends using indoor ventilation devices to decrease the concentration of virus particles. As the device reduces the number of disease-carrying particles in the air, individuals become less likely to inhale them.

Engage in Remote Planning and Monitoring With Smart Devices

Individuals can also improve the health and safety of workers by using remote planning and monitoring systems. Construction professionals are integrating smart technology into their workspaces to enhance security and efficiency. They may set up autonomous sensors around a project site, receiving alerts when the safety of environmental conditions declines.

Other smart devices track the location of heavy machines on-site, engaging their brakes or rerouting the vehicles to avoid collisions. Builders also use drones to monitor site conditions and engage in remote planning. Individuals can control the IoT device from anywhere, accessing video footage and data readings in real-time.

Using drones for planning helps reduce person-to-person contact and minimize the spread of illnesses.

Require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The pandemic increased society’s awareness of PPE’s importance and effectiveness. The CDC recommended individuals wear masks, gloves, and other virus protection equipment. Construction workers can wear masks and other ventilation devices on construction sites to reduce the risks posed by airborne contaminants.

Builders may also wear injury-limiting equipment to improve general safety when working. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that construction professionals wear hard hats, glasses, gloves, steel-toed boots, and face coverings on-site to protect themselves. After the pandemic, workers can continue wearing the PPE to improve health and safety as well as protection from illnesses.

Provide Mental Health Services

The construction industry is also improving workers’ safety through the pandemic by offering free mental health services. Many companies hired licensed therapists or established human resources (HR) divisions to provide employees with emotional support. After implementing the services, many businesses experienced higher success rates and more on-site productivity.

Why COVID-Related Trends Will Last

Many researchers predict the pandemic-related safety trends in the construction industry will last. Even after society gains control of the virus and the world returns to business as usual, professionals may benefit from using these health protection practices.

Many technologies and routines that improve safety in the construction sector also enhance efficiency. When using smart technologies and other preventive measures, workers can reduce waste on-site. Increasing material conservation helps construction companies save money. It also reduces the time employees spend fixing damaged components, meaning more completed projects and lower worker stress levels.

Author: Rose Morrison is a freelance writer in the construction industry and the managing editor of Renovated.