The tool provides a series of recommendations that contractors and personnel can implement on construction sites during the pandemic.
A tool of recommendations on the health security measures that must be followed in construction in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic launched the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) together with the Ministry of Labor of Panama (Mitradel), the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA) and the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), in a virtual seminar.
This is the guide “COVID-19: prevention measures in works” to the construction sector prepared by UNOPS in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
The tool provides a series of recommendations that contractors and personnel can implement on construction sites during the pandemic, in order to prevent the contagion and spread of the coronavirus in these workplaces, particularly, now that the industry resumes its economic activities to as of June 1, explained Roberto Carrillo, manager of the UNOPS Panama office in the framework of the presentation of the document.
Carlos Landero, national director of Mitradel inspection, emphasized the importance of the application of the guide in the construction sector at this time when activities are beginning to reactivate and there is a risk that the virus outbreaks will increase due to activities own of the works in the works.
And it is that the publication contains guidance and suggestions on how to implement a COVID-19 prevention protocol and recommends a series of measures to take in the workplace, provides advice for managers and workers during and after leaving the works, and the suggested procedure in a case of contagion, among others.
In this sense, it refers to the screening process when entering a construction site, the related preventive measures for the use of safe transport by personnel, the actions to be taken if there are cases of COVID-19 and tips for stress management in the context of the pandemic.
In this regard, Gregorio Guerrel, Undersecretary of Occupational Health of Suntracs, stressed that the guide came at a good time due to the need to preserve health and that workers can have tools and timely information to perform their functions safely and healthy.
arcos Murillo, president of the SPIA, highlighted the role that engineers and architects have in supporting and promoting preventive measures in the works.
The document seeks that the construction and infrastructure works have clear, timely, truthful information and from reliable sources so that the people who work in this sector of the economy can protect themselves and adapt to new work scenarios within the conditions and measures of public health demanded by the pandemic.
However, for its application, it is essential to take into account the recommendations and provisions of national and local authorities.