COVID-19 and social distancing have changed the anatomy of construction sites nationwide. Where foreman and laborers once took the little things for granted, like personal space, hygiene practices, or even a slight case of the sniffles, they must now pay extra attention to even the most routine of jobsite activities. COVID-19 has changed the way we work, making easy tasks vastly more complicated.
It’s not all bad news though; the Coronavirus might present frustrating and uncharted territory, but construction companies that choose to proactively arm themselves with the right software solutions have a powerful way of fighting back.
How the Workplace Has Changed
COVID-19 is a rapidly-evolving situation. While only a few solid facts are known about its transmission, spread, and overall course, scientists and researchers are learning more and more each day. A short list of workplace best practices based on OSHA COVID-19 guidelines is the result of that ever-increasing knowledge base.
Multiple organizations, including the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), recommend the following safety precautions in the workplace:
- Keep a minimum of 6 feet in between yourself and others
- Wash your hands frequently
- Wear a face mask in public
- Avoid touching your face
- Use hand sanitizer when hand washing resources are unavailable
- Report any change in your health status to your supervisor immediately
While these are general health and safety at work guidelines meant to prevent or slow the spread of the disease, each one of them applies to the construction industry just as much. That presents its own set of unique challenges, however.
Why Incident Reporting is More Vital Than Ever
We cannot stress this enough: be upfront with your employer if coronavirus symptoms emerge. If your health status changes, meaning you come down with cold-like, flu-like, or respiratory symptoms, it is essential that you report those to your foreman or supervisor ASAP.
We have prepared a Self Assessment Health Checklist for you:
For major workplace illnesses, OSHA requires that employers fill out and retain specific documentation. Those forms include OSHA forms 300, 300A, and 301, which all deal with work-related injuries or illnesses. Due to the public nature of transmission, COVID-19 qualifies as a work-related illness. That means if one of your laborers is diagnosed with a case of Coronavirus, the aforementioned forms need to be filled out, sent to the appropriate state and federal agencies, and retained with your company’s documentation for a set period of time. That’s where an SMS, or safety management system, comes into play.
An SMS provides a mobile platform that consolidates all your important accident and incident reporting forms and documentation so that your managers and foremen can take important administrative tasks directly to the job site with them. An SMS includes communications tools, training modules, and important safety information right at your fingertips.
If coronavirus does rear its ugly head on your job site, safety management software gives your company the agility to deal with reporting and compliance issues quickly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on keeping your employees safe and preventing an outbreak from completely shutting down your operations. An SMS plays a key role in your emergency response plan and following OSHA COVID-19 guidance.
Fluix’s iOS Safety Solutions
Eliminating and isolating COVID-19 before it takes a toll on your business requires a quick response. Fortunately, health and safety management systems provide your company with a tool to counteract the virus’s damaging effects. Fluix specializes in SMS platforms designed specifically for use with iOS. Our software integrates seamlessly with your existing mobile devices so that you can take important safety and administrative reporting functions wherever your work leads. To learn more about our safety management system and its entire suite of capabilities, or to request a free demo of our products, please contact us today.
