The Ottawa Construction Association (OCA) has published a flowchart to help construction site employers properly screen workers and site visitors for COVID-19 symptoms.

Recent guidance from Ontario Public Health was updated at the end of March to include more criteria for the possible presence of the coronavirus. Updated self-assessment questions now include checks for not only fevers, coughs, difficulty breathing and chest pains, but also symptoms such as confusion and loss of consciousness.

“Simple questionnaires about flu-like symptoms may therefore not be enough to detect the presence of the virus,” says OCA president and general manager John Devries.

The flow chart recommends actions for employers to take in four potential scenarios: a worker who has tested positive for COVID-19, a worker who shows symptoms of the disease, a worker who has been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, and a worker who may have been exposed to the virus outside the workplace.

In each situation, the chart recommends action based on established public health protocols. These includes actions to be taken at the workplace, as well as actions to be taken to notify those people who may have direct contact with the individual, and those who may have had indirect content with the individual—such as touching common areas, occupying the same room at the same time as the individual, and passing within six feet of the individual.

One of many resources

The flow chart is just one of many resources the association has published on its website and shared with its members in an effort to give them accurate information and keep them current on ways to manage their affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 27, the association, in conjunction with the Unionized Building & Construction Trades Council, issued a joint statement to the local construction industry. Under the message “Comply or Say Goodbye,” the statement applauds the decisions by government to keep construction sites open during the pandemic, and reminds employers that worker health and safety must remain a priority.

“Our construction workers, and our families standing behind them, deserve the highest standards of protection from COVID-19. Sensibly, most Ottawa construction sites have been making the necessary health and safety adjustments to quickly adapt to our new reality,” says the statement. “For the few contractors of our industry not wishing to safely proceed with work, we insist it is time to comply or say goodbye. You are in the minority and risking the lives of workers and their families, while unfairly dragging the industry into disrepute.”

“Like all work sites during the pandemic, general contractors and employers need to protect their workers, and the families of these workers, from viral transmission,” said John Bourke, president of the Unionized Building & Construction Trades Council in the statement. “That means contractors need to immediately implement necessary job site protocols such as strict job site access screening, daily health reviews, additional protective equipment, enhanced cleaning of equipment and surfaces, social distancing, and most importantly elevating the standard of toilet and washing facilities.”

“We have many exemplary construction sites and companies in Ottawa who prioritize the health and safety of their workers by implementing safe job site protocols,” added DeVries. “We are witnessing a significant evolution on the job sites in response to COVID-19 with one positive outcome being the heightened awareness and understanding of personal hygiene, and proper toilet and wash-up facilities.”

Further information and resources relating to COVID-19 are available at www.oca.ca.