Construction associations across the country are calling on their members to donate much-needed personal protective equipment for local healthcare institutions in the battle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canadian Construction Association in particular has issued a call to its provincial and local association partners to ask member firms to collect and donate important protective equipment, if they have not already done so.

The in-demand equipment includes some that are routinely used in construction, including n95-rated, or higher, masks and eye protection.

“Construction has been, and will continue to be, a significant contributor to our communities”, says Mary Van Buren, CCA president. “At #CDNConstructionGives, there are hundreds of examples of how our member firms and their employees make a difference. From food banks and scholarships to pet shelters and everything in between, we are there for our communities.”

CCA has asked each of our partner associations to reach out to their local hospitals and health authorities, if they have not done so already, to inquire about how they can help during this crisis.

Detailed specifications on items needed are available on two sites created by the CCA: the Mandatory Technical Specifications for Ventilators and Product Specifications for Personal Protective Equipment.

Already, the Ottawa, Niagara, Hamilton and Grand Valley Construction Associations are among the Ontario groups that have made pitches to their member firms. Many members have taken up the call.

Healthcare organizations are in critical need of such supplies as they treat those affected by the COVID-19 virus. Ontario’s Health Minister Christine Elliott indicated earlier this week that the province has an adequate supply of personal protective equipment, but there is no guarantee that supply will last as the number of COVID-19 cases across the country climbs.

If your firm has unopened boxes of unused such equipment, you are encouraged to contact your local construction for information about how to donate them to a local healthcare organization.