From May 31 to June 3, 2021, BUILDEX Alberta will host a virtual series of educational sessions and conversations to explore topics highly relevant to today’s practices in Alberta such as workplace strategy, hybrid work forces and what’s next for Alberta’s downtown cores, measuring and reducing operational and embodied carbon, enhancing workflows from BIM Models and improving indoor air quality.
Interested in attending? Register online for free here. If you have any questions about the event, please email info@buildexshows.com.
Like many of you, we have been monitoring closely the information and recommendation provided by public health officials regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Alberta. In light of the current health circumstances and in order for our association to play a constructive role in containing the situation, we have decided to host the Annual General Meeting by Zoom video conferencing.
Yesterday I was on a conference call with the ATCC and we will be having these weekly, discussing concerns, changes etc. with the construction industry and this crazy COVID19 virus.
We all know this is a VERY dynamic situation and change is rapid. Yesterday Quebec closed all non-essential businesses until April 13, INCLUDING ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES.
Ontario did the same, but was unclear as to exactly what was essential. The Ontario government will be announcing today what is an essential service, this MAY include the construction industry.
What does this mean for the construction industry in Alberta? We don’t know, but it is expected the Premier Jason Kenney will be making more announcement’s this week so I’m sure we will find out.
What can we do? Stay calm and stay safe. Ensure your workers/staff follow all the published government guidelines for social distancing and personal hygiene. Soap and water is your best defence. Have your workers every day when coming to site see your site PM, sign a sheet saying they are symptom free and feel good to work. Talk to them. In order for our industry, the Construction Industry, we MUST show the government and the GC’s we can and will “WORK SAFE”.
Below you will find some useful links that we are receiving form various sources through the ATCC. There is also a Powerpoint on Force Majeure, from Goodfellow Schuette sourced from the CCA webinar held last Thursday.
I will continue to keep you as the membership updated on all calls with the ATCC and pass along to you as it comes in.
Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented situation. The global coronavirus pandemic is affecting all of our families, business, communities, and way of life. I wanted to reach out as we enter into the weekend with the COVID-19 Pandemic continuing to rapidly evolve in Alberta and across Canada.
First of all, to ensure the continued health and safety of our community, we will be postponing the Annual General Meeting to April 29 and it will be held virtually. Details to be circulated over the next couple weeks.
Second, check your supplier’s websites for details on how to order paint in advance and avoid exposure.
Third, below are elements you should think about and act on to keep your businesses and jobsites healthy, safe and open:
Sites: On all construction sites, either under a GC or where you are prime contractor, you must do everything possible to follow the advice of Health Officials.
Social Distancing: This will require some guidance and practice and there may be elements where you just can’t achieve that but remember, you may be monitored by others and may be impacted by their decisions if they feel you pose a threat.
Hand Sanitizers: On new construction sites GCs are working to ensure sinks are being installed as hand sanitizer is not available. Where you are prime contractor, you will need a strategy to ensue workers have an option to ensure you are supporting the governments mandate to keep your workers safe.
Other Options to Consider: Only one driver per vehicle or sanitize between drivers. Use only your own tools or sanitize between operators. At breaks maintain social distance: easy reference two arm lengths (1 metre). Eat lunch alone, where possible in your vehicle, respecting social distance. Workers who take public transit must sanitize their hands prior to starting work.
Safety Certificates: Ensure that you have all necessary staff and backup staff compliant for the next 6 months. There is no suggestion that rules around fall protection or first aid etc. are going to be altered.
Training on Tools: Some sites in BC are already experiencing 50% loss of manpower. Check your crews to ensure you can still safely operate equipment.
Office Social Distancing: If possible, have a work from home strategy, move desks apart, sanitize your office regularly.
Warning on your door: Do not allow delivery people in your office unless they have confirmed they are in good health. External workers: Have them complete a statement saying they are in good health before allowing them access to your premises.
Work from Home Security: Working from home brings risks to your organization. Workers should respect strict security rules to ensure they don’t introduce viruses to your system. With many homes having children/teenagers it is imperative that workers logout from your system every time they leave their computer.
Business Strategy: We must work together to ensure job sites remain open. Strong leadership to fully comply with government mandates is imperative. Now is the time to review your active contracts to ensure you understand payment terms and what could impact them such as firm delivery dates. Be cautious about materials on site because you will be at the mercy of the government rules if the site is forced to shut down. Preplan your orderly exit if an order is issued today to close one or many sites. If an inspector is required to sign off on your work, ensure they have an option in place in case they are unable to complete their inspections.
Businesses Subsidies from Governments: Temporary Wage Subsidy: Proposing to provide eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. Businesses will be able to benefit immediately from this support by reducing their remittances of income tax withheld on their employees’ remuneration. Employers benefiting from this measure will include corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as non-profit organizations and charities.
Lastly, to stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 news, please visit:
These products meet the requirements for MPI’s Extreme Green (X-Green™) paint standard: maximum 50 g/l VOC; trace or zero quantities of various undesirable chemical components; performance that meets the requirements for the MPI # indicated, and certification of VOC emissions requirements for indoor air quality. Click the name of the paint supplier to see a complete list of all their MPI-approved products.
These paints and coatings have passed MPI testing for the MPI standard indicated and were added this month to our Approved Products List. Click the name of the paint supplier to see a complete list of all their MPI-approved products.
These products meet the requirements for MPI’s Extreme Green (X-Green™) paint standard: maximum 50 g/l VOC; trace or zero quantities of various undesirable chemical components; performance that meets the requirements for the MPI # indicated, and certification of VOC emissions requirements for indoor air quality. Click the name of the paint supplier to see a complete list of all their MPI-approved products.
These paints and coatings have passed MPI testing for the MPI standard indicated and were added this month to our Approved Products List. Click the name of the paint supplier to see a complete list of all their MPI-approved products.
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