READ: Guidelines for Resuming Construction Projects in GCQ Areas

MANILA, Philippines – The government has announced that it would allow public and private construction projects to resume in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases had modified the guidelines on infrastructure projects to allow resumption from work on priority projects related to food production, agriculture, fishing, development of fishing ports, energy, housing, communication, water facilities, manufacturing and outsourcing of business processes.

Under the revised guidelines, facilities for construction personnel, sewer projects, water service facility projects, and digital works were also allowed.

The following are the construction safety guidelines established by the government for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the coronavirus crisis:

BEFORE DEPLOYMENT:

-Only people between 21 and 59 years of age, without pre-existing health conditions, such as, among others, immunodeficiency comorbidities or other health risks, including anyone who resides with the aforementioned; Those who did not come into contact with someone with COVID-19 may be included in the workforce.

-Construction personnel will be required to submit to the COVID-19 test, as prescribed by the Department of Health, and re-evaluated as necessary. In this regard, doctors should be consulted before performing the COVID-19 test.

-The head of the corresponding implementation office will issue a construction quarantine pass to the individual qualified personnel of the dealers, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, clearly indicating the identification, designation, nature of the work, validity and destination. It is understood that the quarantine pass will cover the transit of personnel.

-Concessionaires, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers must provide their staff / workers with the necessary wellness facilities and services, such as employee rooms for lodging and accommodation, ensuring compliance with social distancing, adequate hygiene, etc.

-Contractors will ensure that their projects comply with DOLE D.O. 1998 Series No. 13. Contractors will provide their staff and workers with a continuous supply of vitamins, particularly vitamin C, other over-the-counter medications, quarantine facilities, and emergency oxygen tanks.

-Contractors shall provide disinfection facilities at their respective project sites in accordance with the relevant DOH and IATF Guidelines, to locate them in strategic locations to ensure the safety and well-being of all personnel.

-Proper disclosure of information about COVID-19 construction protocols in addition to existing construction safety practices should be done by security officers to all personnel.

-For government construction projects, dealers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers must submit the personal records of all personnel required to follow up on contacts to the DPWH IO and must be submitted and updated monthly, or as needed.

DURING DEPLOYMENT:

-Make an inventory of works for the sequencing of construction to follow and undertake to maintain social distance.

-Breaking times will be carried out in stages

-Employees must be in their respective rooms throughout the duration of the project covered by the ECQ and the GCQ. Otherwise, “Before Deployment” procedures will be performed on each re-entry instance

-Orders to be carried out outside the construction site facilities will be kept to a minimum

-The number of staff running errands will be limited, properly disinfected, and closely monitored for symptoms within 14 days of re-entry

-Field offices, employee dependencies and other common areas will be disinfected regularly.

-Concessionaires, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers must provide internal personnel: adequate food; potable / safe drinking water; disinfectants; and hand soaps

-Daily monitoring of workers’ health conditions.

-The staff with symptoms related to COVID-19 will be quarantined for fourteen (14) days and, if necessary, taken to the closest DOH COVID-19 treatment center.

-The security officer will strictly supervise work activities to ensure compliance with security regulations and quarantine protocols.

-For government construction projects, DPWH engineers on site must ensure strict compliance with the use of additional personal protective equipment

-Essential private construction project contractors under GCQ will assign a security officer to ensure implementation of social distancing measures.

-For off-site employees: Rooms and transportation services will be provided and disinfected regularly, before and after use.

-It is not recommended to share construction and office equipment. However, if necessary, shared equipment should be disinfected between transfers between staff.

-All delivery and disposal materials and equipment must be carried out by a specific team of personnel in an isolated loading / unloading area and must be properly disinfected, as possible.

-Non-essential personnel may not enter the construction site, the employees’ rooms or the field offices.

-All personnel who enter the site facilities on a temporary basis must register and verify properly to detect symptoms

-Gatherings, liquor and / or celebrations are strictly prohibited within the construction site facilities.

-The grouped and staggered deployment of employees within the construction site will be observed.

-Appropriate disposal of waste will be provided for infectious waste, such as PPE and other waste products that come from outside the construction facilities.

For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.

What you need to know about the coronavirus.

For more information about COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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