Balancing COVID-19 with Worker Safety while Maintaining Essential Critical Infrastructure Projects
How one critical infrastructure construction company is continuing to support the growth of communications, data and technology clients in tandem with prioritizing safety.
It’s no doubt that the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread around the world and continues to be of great concern. The concern is not only to personal safety but to the economy in large scale. As a result of the requirement to greatly reduce human-to-human contact, the construction of communications, data and technology facilities are even more essential than ever before. In most cases, technology has become the only string bonding people and communities, providing face-to-face interaction for education, healthcare, financial, etc. alongside important recreational activities like online gaming and streaming workouts.
No one knows for sure how this will impact the way we do business or interact with each other in the long run. Though what is becoming apparently clear is that those who adapt the quickest and bring real world solutions to their clients are the ones who will emerge from this tumultuous time of adjustment better able to provide value to the businesses they serve.
Modifying behaviors from the onset and being agile enough to know when quick, decisive action is pertinent not only ensures business continuity, but protects the health of the team members required to execute the work.
So much so was the concern of Constructiv, an organization focused on mission critical, 5G and edge data center deployments that they instantly implemented and trained all team members on the Standard Operating Procedure for work during pandemic events.
However, they didn’t stop there. Realizing that critical infrastructure projects require specialized expertise and an elevated level of dedication, Constructiv took matters into their own hands.
Early and continued commitment is the cornerstone for success.
In February, Constructiv began a new data center project for Data Foundry, a data center colocation provider. By March the project was in full gear and coronavirus had become a reality in the U.S.
To keep the project on schedule and the workers safe meant having to quickly implement fundamental alterations to the construction team’s behaviors that went beyond the norm. With this steadfast attitude to keep the project moving forward and adhering to OSHA and CDC guidelines, Constructiv’s safety protocol was amplified to include:
Hyper-communication of procedural information and expectations with staff, clients, subcontractors and vendors. Operating procedures for work during pandemic events was implemented and shared with staff, clients, subcontractors and vendors. This allowed both internal and external teams know what was expected of them and how to proceed.
Daily reporting with a Self-Disclosure Health Questionnaire for all employees, including field, office and remote workers. This was used to assess if workers were at risk of being infected or of the potential to infect others.
Temperature screenings for all onsite workers implemented. Those with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater or those that had contact with potentially sick individuals were sent home and monitored for either quarantine or other actions.
Contact tracing and application of separating activities was initiated. The tracking of teams as a whole or “family” was performed. This reduced the impact of one positive but asymptomatic individual entering the workspace potentially infecting the entire workforce.
Frequent hand washing protocol was directed. Hand wash stations were placed in the pathway of construction entrances and exits.
Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces with a CDC-approved, industrial anti-viral solution at the beginning and end of each workday required.
Reducing human-to-human interaction was prioritized. Points of personal contact such as security badging and tool sharing were lessened to minimize daily transactions.
Social distancing processes were launched. Besides having project meetings online, site work was coordinated in shifts. For instance, whereas the electricians and the mechanical subcontractors would not be scheduled to occupy the same workspace at the same time.
Employing the proper and consistent use of (personal protective equipment) PPE.
These procedures were found to be so successful in maintaining safety as well as maintaining the integrity of the project and schedule that they have been incorporated into all Constructiv work going forward.
Plans are to further enhance these procedures with certain work functions such as quality control (QC) and punch list walk throughs performed virtually with the assistance of body worn video camera systems and sophisticated VR software.