In exceptional circumstances, exceptional measures. While construction sites have stopped one after the other in recent days, companies wishing to resume their activity despite theCovid-19 epidemic will have to review the organization of work in the light of barrier measures imposed by health authorities. Designed with the support of the sector’s professional prevention organization (OPPBTP), the “Guide to health safety recommendations for the continuity of construction activities” thus states the urgent preventive measures to be implemented to protect employees and their entourage contamination. Developed by collaborators of theOPPBTPoccupational physicians and company prevention officers, the text received the approval of the sector’s employers’ federations (Capeb, FFB and FNTP). This guide has received approval from the Ministries of Ecological and Inclusive Transition, Cities and Housing, Solidarity and Health, and Labor. After much negotiation, this document was finally published on April 2, 2020, in the evening.
The guide establishes the principle of priority for companies in the sector, “to adopt preventive measures protecting the health of employees, in accordance with the responsibilities of employers, and to encourage them to watch over their health, their safety and that of their entourage “. It is up to each employer to assess their ability to comply with the measures listed in the text and to take them into account by updating the single professional risk assessment document (Duer). Companies are therefore required to strictly respect the instructions for the entire duration of confinement decided by the authorities. Otherwise, they will have to cease their activity. The guide also includes, in the appendix, explanatory sheets and posters for employees (gestures to protect themselves, use of a mask, but also rules to respect in the bungalows or even what to do if an employee or a worker shows signs of disease).
Prerequisites
The employer must first obtain customer agreement. For each operation, the project owner formalizes, after analysis, if necessary by the project manager and the safety and health protection coordinator (SPS)in agreement with the companies involved, a list of health conditions in order to ensure that the various stakeholders will be able to implement and respect, over time, the measures laid down.
During this period of high activity of the emergency services, it may be useful to check their availability by consulting the prefectural websites.
It is recommended not to allow apprentices, trainees and work-study minors to go to the site and workshop. The FFB and the FNTP, however, issue the same recommendation for their members concerning all apprentices, regardless of their age. The employment contract must not be terminated, training must wherever possible continue remotely and the apprentice must continue to be paid.
People with a high risk of developing a severe form of the disease will not be able to work, under any circumstances. (due to chronic respiratory disease or insufficiency, heart failure, high blood pressure or obesity with a body mass index equal to or greater than 40)
Organization of the site
The guide recommends limit coactivity as much as possible, by reorganizing operations. If necessary, the employer can request support from the SPS coordinator.
On the other hand, it will be necessary control access to the site employees and other stakeholders and refuse it to anyone showing symptoms of the disease: cough, fever, loss of smell and/or taste. To the extent that some patients with Covid-19, although contagious, do not show symptoms of fever at the start of infection, temperature measurements at the entrance to premises and construction sites are not recommended. entry to construction sites by the High Council of Public Health.
Another recommendation: ask employees about their health and possible symptoms when they take up their position (a “health” questionnaire is included in the appendix to the guide).
Other instructions: designate a Covid-19 referent for the company and per site – manager, site manager or employee responsible for prevention, who can coordinate the measures to be implemented and respected. The authors of the document also emphasize the need to ensure quality information and communication with employees in order to ensure a good understanding of health rules (organize regular meetings on the subject, if possible every day, notify workers of the occurrence of a case on a construction site, etc.). Employers must also closely involve staff representatives in their prevention approach.
Executing tasks
Each start of a task will be preceded by a review of operating procedures to guarantee compliance with a distance of at least one meter between two individuals. The text suggests ways to reduce the risks of encounters: limit the number of people involved, set up a traffic plan, organize the reception of materials and equipment so as to avoid any physical contact, etc.
Furthermore, given the context, there is no question of lowering our guard on traditional risks. (falls from height, electrical risk, postures, etc.), because the absence of personnel, materials and subcontractors can lead to a deterioration of usual operational conditions.
Hygiene measures
On construction sites, the physical distance rule must, where applicable, lead to halve the accommodation capacity of living basesorganize transfer orders or even stagger shifts.
The company must install a water point with soap or a hydroalcoholic solution dispenser outside the bungalows. Other measures: display the health instructions applicable in these facilities, enforce those concerning hand washing, and ensure daily cleaning of the premises. It will also be necessary to disinfect the equipment used by two companions between each use, it being specified that the guide recommends the allocation of tools individually.
In all cases (including for work sites in private homes, unless the companions are independently equipped, or have hydroalcoholic gel), the activity will only be authorized if the employees can wash their hands frequently and have access to a water point with soap. In depots, offices and workshops, the company must ensure, every two hours, the disinfection of the most common contact surfaces (door handles, tables, keyboards, etc.), and make hydroalcoholic gel available in busy places. .
Wearing a mask
THE Wearing a respiratory protection mask and glasses is mandatory in the following areas:
-If working less than one meter from another person (surgical mask at least);
-For interventions in individuals, two situations require wearing a mask. If the client’s household is home to an “at risk” person, wearing a surgical mask by the professional is obligatoryin addition to the necessary respect for the rules of distancing.
If it houses a person suffering from Covid-19, and the intervention cannot be postponed, wearing a surgical mask is obligatory for the professional but also for all residents of the home.
In other cases, wearing a mask is not compulsory and is the subject of discussion within the framework of the company’s social dialogue.
The authors of the guide, however, advise, during this peak epidemic period, and except in cases of proven technical impossibility, to ensure compliance with this barrier measure even for employees who are equipped with it, in order to avoid the risk of contact. . The employer must also provide training to employees in the use of masks.
Construction sites at private homes
The employer checks with the client beforehandthe conditions of intervention allowing compliance with health instructions. Care must also be taken to respect the safety distance of one meter, and to keep residents away from the intervention zone. At the home of a person at risk or sick, only essential and urgent interventions can be carried out, provided that a specific protocol is respected. : travel in an individual vehicle, wearing a mask, as well as gloves and a disposable suit, etc.
Machinery and transport
The authors of the text advise favor individual modes of transport above all. Failing this, ensure ensure a minimum distance of one meter between employees, with one person per row.
In the event of shared use of a vehicle, and for machinery, provide the cleaning contact surfaces between users (steering wheel, control buttons, gear shift handle, etc.) and provide disinfectant wipes and hydroalcoholic gel.
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