RIAI Guidance
The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland has recently published a set of guidelines to allow construction work to be restarted. These include instructions for how to make sure that COVID-19 is not spread throughout construction workers, and that works cannot be carried out without endangering public health. Read on to find out more.
In effect, the guidelines categorise each stage or step in the construction process by risk level, which is generally related to how close workers need to be to each other in order to carry out their tasks. In general, the larger the building site and the lower the number of people that are working on it, the lower the risk is considered to be. Each risk level has a degree of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that is required. There is also practical guidance on how to implement social distancing measures on the construction site, and how best to implement measures to avoid the contamination of shared equipment.
Low and medium risk construction sites include excavation sites and sites where foundations are being laid, due to their open-air nature and the fact they cover a much larger surface area. To a lesser extent, this can also include roofing work, however this is considered to be a medium-risk type of construction, since workers must pass in close proximity to each other along scaffolding. For such sites, workers are advised to wear normal jacket and trouser PPE while on site, which should be sterilized daily. Disposable gloves, ankle straps and facemasks will also be required, which should be disposed of after use. In an area deemed to be low or medium risk, it is recommended that no more than a single person be present at a time.
High-risk construction sites include interior fitting and lift shafts, since these by nature require workers to be in very close proximity to each other, making following social distancing regulations impossible as a practical matter. It is therefore required that those working in such areas wear a full hazmat suit, again to be disposed of after every use. To protect the face, they are also required to wear both a disposable facemask and a face screen, made of perspex or another such material. The mask is to be disposed of and the screen to be disinfected after every use. In these higher-risk areas, the guidelines state that a maximum of two people should be together in these confined spaces, even though they are wearing such extensive protective equipment.
Other guidelines have been put into place in order to facilitate social distancing as far as possible on construction sites; for example, making walkways and passages wide enough to allow two metres of clearance for two workers passing by one another. The principle of keeping two metres of separation is a common theme throughout the guidelines, even cafeterias must have the chairs and tables fixed to the floor at a distance of two metres apart. Regarding tools, where possible those with extended handles should be used as much as possible, for example concrete rakes used when laying foundations. It is also recommended that hoists and cherrypickers be considered as confined spaces, and the appropriate precautions taken.
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