COVID-19 – Working Through the Challenges

March 22, 2020

Dealing with a pandemic is a new challenge for most of us. As in other times of disruptive change, we can share our experiences and learnings, we can learn from each other.

Industry Sharing

Construction Sites & Turnaround Sites

The following documents are guidelines prepared by various COAA members for their particular circumstances; they are provided as a courtesy in unprecedented times as examples and idea-starters for the industry. They are not recommended or endorsed by COAA as best practices or even as appropriate for the circumstances of any other company. The various examples should be used by company representatives who have the appropriate degree of experience to evaluate, synthesize and adapt the content. The examples are provided as a courtesy, without any responsibility arising in any way from any and all use of or reliance on the information contained in the examples.

- - Courtesy of a major facility owner: <2020 Shutdown: COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy>
  - AHS has set up a website for industrial site guidance: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17162.aspx . An additional Transportation is available Transportation Guidance 2020 Jul 22. Users are encouraged to check the website frequently for updates because the guidelines are evolving as more is learned and as relaunch parameters are relaxed.
  - Courtesy of a major greenfield/brownfield construction contractor: COVID-19 Transmission Prevention and Control Audit Audit Questionnaire 2020 Jul 22
  - Courtesy of a major turnaround contractor: Leader’s Guide 01 COVID-19 Leaders Package 2020 May 06
  - Courtesy of a major greenfield/brownfield construction contractor: Response Plan Template 02 COVID-19 Response Plan Template 2020 Jun 26
  - Courtesy of a major greenfield/brownfield construction contractor: Facility Recovery Plan Template 03 COVID-19 Facility Recovery Plan Template 2020 Jun26
  - Courtesy of the Calgary Construction Association: Pandemic Planning guide 04 CGYCA PANDEMIC-PLANNING-FOR-THE-CONSTRUCTION-INDUSTRY-4.0 2020 May 01
  - COVID-19 Screening Decision Trees, Cleaning/Disinfection Guidelines plus other resources (with thanks to DriverCheck) https://www.drivercheck.ca/about-1
  - British Columbia Centre For Disease Control & British Columbia Ministry of Health have developed a Provincial COVID-19 Task Force and developed the following guidelines for industrial camps COVID-19-guidelines-industrial-camps
  - Response action for remote mining sites may offer learnings for remote construction sites (with thanks to the Mining Association of Canada) Pandemic Action Summaries from MAC Members – March 20, 2020 for distribution
  - Planning tool allows effective project slowdown, restart (with thanks to Steve Cabano) Project Slowdown Restart Planning Article

Business Implications

- - In the “new normal”, many things will be different in our construction projects – but what won’t be different are the fundamentals of documenting, communicating and working together to avoid and resolve disputes. Revay President Zey Emir, P.Eng. outlines these concepts in a series of newsletters. (with thanks to Revay and Associates) https://www.revay.com/index.php/news/schedules-cost-estimates-and-dispute-resolution-post-covid-19/
  - Dealing with the effects of the pandemic is challenging for everyone. Here are tips for employers and supervisors to support worker’s mental resiliency. (with thanks to Energy Safety Canada) https://energysafetycanada.com/_Resources/Safety-Bulletins/2020/Covid-19-Mental-Health-Resources-Issue-05-2020
  - COAA’s Auditor, Ms. Robyn Eeson, CPA, CA, has provided this suite of business resources – similar information will be available from respective member company business advisors (with thanks to KPMG LLP) https://home.kpmg/ca/en/home/insights/2020/03/the-business-implications-of-coronavirus.html

Webinars

Future webinars

- - Check back soon

Past webinars (click here for more information)

These webinars were organized as opportunities for companies in the heavy industrial construction/major turnaround sector to hear how their peers are evaluating and addressing the COVID-19 risks.

Resources

Web links

- - It is a small world: humans are being stressed by the pandemic in the same ways, no matter which side of the ocean they live. We have been made aware of a British guideline Coronavirus: Guidance for Better Mental Health which addresses the particular issues faced by those dealing with mental health or addiction challenges. (with thanks to rehab4addiction in London, England.) For Alberta mental health resources, see the Energy Safety Canada bulletin, above.
  - Government of Alberta (health measures & financial relief measures https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
  - Government of Alberta List of Essential Services Alberta List of Essential Services
  - Wikipedia *Overview article and statistics – but cross-check facts with official sources* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_coronavirus_pandemic_in_Canada

Infographics

- - Public Health Agency of Canada (posters for staff training or common areas) https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/people-high-risk-for-severe-illness-covid-19.html