Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. The general understanding from experts around the world as well as here in British Columbia from our own health experts of how the virus spreads is continue to evolve each and every day as we learn more about it.  The virus is believed to spread mainly from person to person:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Recent studies indicate that the virus can be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

“What we have seen is a demonstration of best practices around health communication. Communication that is designed to deliberately influence behaviours. People’s behaviours during a pandemic are ultimately essential to the outcome.” – Dr. Bonnie Henry

Potential sources of exposure include having close contact with a coworker or member of the public who is ill with COVID-19 and touching your nose, mouth, or eyes after touching surfaces contaminated with the virus or handling items that others infected with COVID-19 have touched. For those in the construction industry, actions that can be taken include the following:

• Notify your supervisor and stay home if you have symptoms.
• Follow CDC-recommended steps if you are sick. You should not return to work until the criteria to discontinue home isolation are met, in consultation with healthcare providers, your employer, and state and local health departments.
• Follow CDC-recommended precautions and notify your supervisor if you are well but have a sick family member at home with COVID-19.
• Limit close contact with others by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet, when possible.
  • Limit the number of workers in small workspace areas such as job site elevators, trailers and vehicles, and spaces under construction if possible.
• CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas where there is significant community-based transmission of COVID-19.
  • Cloth face coverings may prevent people who don’t know they have the virus from transmitting it to others.
• Cloth face coverings are NOT surgical masks or respirators and are not appropriate substitutes for them in workplaces where masks or respirators are recommended or required.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as shared tools, machines, vehicles and other equipment, handrails, ladders, doorknobs, and portable toilets. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces periodically throughout the shift but also:
  • At the beginning and end of every shift
  • After anyone uses your vehicle, tools, or workstation
• Limit tool sharing if possible.
• Practice proper hand hygiene. This is an important infection control measure. With appropriate hand hygiene, you do not need gloves to protect you from COVID-19. When possible, wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Key times to clean hands include:
    • Before and after work shifts and breaks
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After using the restroom
    • Before eating and before and after preparing food
    • After touching objects which have been handled by coworkers, such as tools and equipment
    • Before putting on and after taking off work gloves
    • After putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings
    • Before donning or doffing eye or face protection (safety glasses, goggles, etc.)
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Use tissues when you cough, sneeze, or touch your face. Throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol if a sink to wash your hands is not available.

As owner of Ryan’s Unique Renos & Finishing, I take it very seriously regarding the efforts to keep both our crew and our clients as safe as possible. We have implemented a number of procedures at each and every work site we enter and leave from including many of the points identified above with respect to COVID-19.

We are in full consultation with each client we work with to identify safe entrances and exits, time tables of family members including children as well as pets. Prior to and after each work day,  we designate one individual to walk the site and ensure we have left a safe environment for the workers and the client.