As construction sites return to operations during the various levels as per the government's risk-adjusted approach, members will need to ensure that they take a proactive approach in protecting their workforce and minimising the risk of spreading the infection.

All offices and work areas are required to be disinfected before staff return to site and continuously thereafter.

The purpose of this article is to provide an advisory to our members regarding this process.

Cleaning material and disinfectant agents

Consider the following, but not limited to:

• Clean surfaces with an appropriate and suitable cleaner and/or disinfectant and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
• When choosing a suitable cleaning product, consider what the product is effective against and the length of time the product needs to be left on a surface to clean it properly, also a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) should be kept in your health and safety file.
• Keep in mind that most disinfectants and/or sanitisers are alcohol-based and therefore flammable, and should be stored as accordingly.
• Where possible, use disposable cloths or paper towels to clean surfaces. Reusable cloths should be disinfected and then dried after use, as bacteria and viruses can still survive on damp cloths.

It will be imperative that a work plan for the cleaning process be drafted to cover the following but not limited to:

Entrances to sites

• All turnstiles and biometric systems should be cleaned and must be disconnected.
• Security gates or speed fence panels used for access control measures must be cleaned.
• Demarcate 1,5 meter distancing separation points between employees for entering the site.
• Identify and allocate an area where screening of temperatures and the necessary training for all procedures will take place. Persons nominated to perform screenings (scans, questionnaires and registers) will wear all required PPE (e.g. face shield, face mask, disposable latex gloves, etc.).

 Offices:

• Clean office space and floor areas.
• Clean door handles.
• Clean telephone equipment.
• Staircases and handle rails to be cleaned.
• Clean all keyboards, photocopiers and other office equipment.
• HVAC and airconditioning filter systems to be cleaned regularly.

 Showers and Ablution Facilities

• Clean shower trays, taps and flush handles (high touch areas).
• If showers have not been used for a while, let it run with hot water before using it.
• Keep tiles and grout in good condition.
• Clean shower curtains frequently.
• U-bend and toilet bowl to be washed out with a disinfectant product.
• Limescale can be used as a descaling product.
• Clean all toilet seats, handles and rims by using a disinfectant.
• Alcohol-based sanitizers must be placed outside the changeroom/ shower areas for use by all employees entering and exiting.
• Area demarcated to allow for social distancing.
• Only paper towels will be used as a means of drying hands.

 Tools and Equipment

• All tools, like shovels, spades, picks, hammers, chisels and saws to be washed down before use.
• Larger items such as scaffolding, temporary works equipment and non-electrical equipment can be cleaned or disinfected with size-dependant pressurised pump applicator spray bottles.

 Construction vehicles and cranes

• All common and high touched areas of the vehicle such as steering wheel, handbrake, gear stick, dashboard, handles, etc to be wiped down.
• All delivery vehicles will be stopped at the entrance gate with only the driver in the vehicle to proceed and all high touch areas to be disinfected or sanitised using pressurised pump applicator spray bottles, delivery materials will be disinfected depending on the type of materials.
• Mobile and tower cranes inside cabins to be disinfected and/or sanitised by wiping down all areas. Lifting gear to be disinfected before use by using a pressurised pump applicator spray bottles.

 Waste management

• Ensure that all waste management plans, classifications and procedures include COVID-19 waste or health care waste compliance to waste management guidelines from the Department of Health or any statutory body.

 Kitchen/Eating area

• Disinfecting of the kitchen /eating area to be done by wiping down the tables and chairs.
• Demarcate area to enable social distancing.
• Have an appropriate number of bins available.
• Disinfect appliances such as microwaves.
• Put up necessary signage.

The above is merely a guideline to assist members, it should be noted that each project and its requirements need to be assessed before disinfecting begins.

Click here to download Resumption Construction Checklist

Neil Enslin | Occupational Health and Safety Manager