[DOCUMENT TITLE]

[Document subtitle]

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES
WORKERS’ SAFETY AND SECURITY

Version 2
20 April 2020
Philippine Constructors Association COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS’ SAFETY & SECURITY

Table of Contents
Foreword ...........................................................................................................................................2
Prevention.........................................................................................................................................2
Proper Work Attire ........................................................................................................................2
Proper Communication and Awareness .........................................................................................3
Construction Site Cleaning.............................................................................................................3
Delivery .........................................................................................................................................4
Site operations ..............................................................................................................................4
Detection...........................................................................................................................................5
Screening.......................................................................................................................................5
Suspected Cases of COVID-19 ......................................................................................................6
Other Measures .................................................................................................................................6
Risk Assessment and Response .....................................................................................................6
Latest Updates and Developments ................................................................................................7

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Philippine Constructors Association COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS’ SAFETY & SECURITY

Foreword

We are prepared to restart works as soon as the ECQ is lifted or

modified, but we also have to ensure our workers safety.

The year started on an upbeat note with the launch of the action plan for the 10-year industry
roadmap—then along came the coronavirus pandemic. On 17 March 2020, the Philippines’ main
island, Luzon, was put on a one-month Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Extended to 30 April 2020, any decision on its extension, modification or lifting would be known
before the end of the week. In the meantime, except for building of essential emergency medical
facilities, construction activities in the entire country has grinded to an almost complete halt.
Undeniably, the crisis has put a heavy toll on all sectors of society.

To fuel the rebound, Philippine Government officials have said that “infrastructure will be the most
powerful tool governments everywhere can employ in restarting the economy after the devastation
wrought by the pandemic.” While the Philippine construction industry is ready to return to work, it
does so cognizant of new norms, that would require new thinking patterns.

As we prepare to go back to work, the COVID-19 Protocols for Construction Sites and Workers’
Safety and Security:

• Updates the first version published last 31 March 2020

• Takes into consideration that each construction jobsites, and offices are different, and for that
matter, client requirements
• Incorporates the standards of the Department of Labor and Employment-Occupational Safety and
Health (DOLE-OSHC) and the Department of Health (DOH)
• Provides the minimum requirements, but at the same time suggests additional measures
“It only takes one guy to contaminate everyone.” Let us do our part to safeguard each jobsite.

Prevention

Proper Work Attire

• All workers must wear the prescribed clothing of the DOLE-OSHC:

o Shirt with sleeves

o Pants
o Closed-toe boots
o Hard hat
o High visibility vest
o Other necessary Personal Protective Equipment (i.e gloves, goggles, etc.)

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Philippine Constructors Association COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS’ SAFETY & SECURITY

• As per the DOH, all workers are expected to wear proper face masks.

Proper Communication and Awareness

• Active communication between the workers, safety officers, site supervisors, and management
is advised in planning and implementing the protocols.

o All languages and dialects should be accounted for to ensure proper communication

• Clear signages on health and safety measures are posted at the entry points during the COVID-
19 crisis:

o Daily updates on the latest developments

o Self-screening measures

• As much as possible, all workers should exercise the practices for reducing the risk of
transmission, and proper hygiene as identified by the DOH:

o Social distancing (at least 6 feet distance from next person)

o Proper handwashing (or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when unavailable)
o Avoid contact with own eyes, nose, and mouth
o Covering of mouth with tissue or arm (if tissue is unavailable) when sneezing or coughing
o Use and remove PPE with care
o Do not share personal belongings such as phones, pens, PPEs
o Avoid physical greetings (e.g. handshakes, hugs)

• All workers’ status on-site and off-site, are properly noted at all times by the safety officers.

o Fit to work
o Sick
o High temperature
o Other conditions

• Quarantined workers should also be kept track of under strict confidentiality and privacy.

Construction Site Cleaning

• All offices and jobsites should disinfect the following at least twice per day:

o Door handles
o Railings
o Ladders
o Switches
o Controls
o Shared equipment
o Common and eating areas
o Personal workstations

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Philippine Constructors Association COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS’ SAFETY & SECURITY

• Hands and common tools/equipment are cleaned or disinfected after each task.

• All offices and jobsites should implement additional cleaning measures of common areas as
recommended by the DOH.

• Suggested additional sanitary measures to be implemented/installed on site but are not limited
to the following:

o Water stations
o Proper handwashing areas and hand washing protocol
o Alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations
o Disinfectant wiping products

• Limit and remove internal touch point areas (e.g. coffee machines, water fountains, common
pens). If possible, also remove doors/ door handles for jobsites.

Delivery

• All equipment and material deliveries must be carefully planned and monitored.

• Delivery zones are identified and limited to select personnel, i.e., receivers and deliverers.

• As much as possible, cargo is unloaded only by the receivers, while the deliverers do not leave
their vehicles.

• All cargo should undergo proper disinfection procedures before use. Likewise, involved staff
should also properly disinfect before entering the jobsite.

Site operations

• All non-essential workers are prohibited from entering the jobsite.

• Business-related travelling should be limited unless necessary.

• All people entering and exiting the workplace should be registered, for easier contact tracing in
the event of an outbreak

• Management can look up possible decontamination chambers (e.g. swimming pool grade-
chlorine).

• If possible, divide the construction sites into zones or other methods to keep different workers
physically separated. This will promote social distancing and will make containment of possible
outbreak easier.

o Upper limit on the number of people per zone is advised

o Management can consider reducing workforce in the jobsite

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Philippine Constructors Association COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS’ SAFETY & SECURITY

o Workers’ barrack should have at least 6 feet of physical distance from each occupant and/or
a physical barrier

• If possible, establish one-way staircases and walkways to minimize worker’s contacts.

• Limit the number of people operating or occupying freight elevators.

• All workers should respect social distancing guidelines, as much as possible.

• Split/alternating shifts are encouraged to avoid extensive intermingling.

• Breaks should be staggered to limit the number of people in proximity with each other.

o Individuals are expected to clean up their own areas after eating with proper disinfectants

• A proper waste and disposal area must be provided, as well as proper disposal of contaminated
products.

• The site supervisors and safety officers are expected to conduct daily audits, and safety reports
to management in order to make sure that the appropriate measures are implemented and
followed.

Detection

Screening

• Management should have an understanding and plan on how the workers travel to and from the
jobsites.
o Management can also look into providing a shuttle service for its workers

• All individuals with history of travel, or who has come into contact with someone with COVID-19
knowingly, are required to self-quarantine for 14 days before working.

o It is ideal that all workers are tested, if testing kits are available
o If testing kits are available but limited, priority will be given to those coming from those
COVID-19 hotspots

• All individuals should be properly screened and undergo temperature checking before entering
the jobsite. The individual should also attest that they are not experiencing flu-like symptoms:

o Fever
o Coughing
o Shortness of breath
o Chills

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Philippine Constructors Association COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS’ SAFETY & SECURITY

Suspected Cases of COVID-19

• Individuals, who are exhibiting strong symptoms in the jobsite or upon screening, are to be
transported either at home, or to a preferred location of self-isolation.

o Both the driver, and the passenger should wear a mask

o The driver would be in charge of opening and closing the doors for the passenger
o All equipment, and areas exposed to the worker should then be properly disinfected, before
being used again

• Any individual exhibiting flu-like symptoms should not report to work. Instead, they should do
the following:

o Self-isolate
o Alert their safety officers or other applicable authorities
o Contract proper health authorities for additional guidance

• Employees, who had the COVID-19 virus, should do the following before reporting to work:

o Fulfill the adequate time for self-quarantining as recommended by the DOH

o Test negative for COVID-19
o Receive proper medical clearance, before reporting to work.

• In the event of a worker contracting the virus while working, the management should do the
following:

o Contact local government and health authorities

o Gather records of all people who have worked with the infected worker who tested positive
within the past four weeks
o Gather information on those who have been in location or shared equipment with the person
o Be ready to present the information to the appropriate authorities
o Inform the wider workforce of the situation while protecting the privacy of the individual
o Clean and disinfected all site surfaces and equipment
o Follow any additional directions from local government and health authorities

Other Measures

Risk Assessment and Response

• All contractors would need to create a plan to reach the minimum level of standards to protect
the health of the workers engaged in the construction site. Likewise, they will shoulder the
additional costs for the implementation of these standards.

• Before any activity is resumed, all hazards, due to the halting of work, must be reviewed and
controlled.

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Philippine Constructors Association COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND WORKERS’ SAFETY & SECURITY

o Workers involved should have proper understanding of the operations and environment
condition checking

• If possible, avoid mass gatherings and use telecommunication to accommodate meetings.

• An integrated continuity plan should also be provided in the event of a partial or complete
shutdown of jobsite or if jobsite operations are severely limited.

Latest Updates and Developments

• PCA will be updating the protocols, as necessary, due to the rapidly changing situation.

• For additional guidance, and the latest information refer to https://www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCov/.

• You may reach us through –

o Email: pcainc.secretariat@gmail.com
o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philippineconstructors.org/
o LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philippineconstructors/
o Website: https://www.philippineconstructors.org/

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