Contractors and construction companies in Grenada are being advised that permission must be sought and obtained for the resumption of work on projects.
In a national address on Sunday night, Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, announced the resumption of work in the construction industry, one of the more vibrant sectors of the local economy.
As the country continues to deal with the impact of COVID-19, the gradual re-opening of sectors to spur economic activity must be done in keeping with the recommended protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development in collaboration with the COVID 19 Sub- Committee on Construction has therefore created reopening guidelines for the construction sector.
Contractors are hereby advised that effective May 11, 2020, construction companies are required to do the following:
- Submit a letter to ps@moiid.gov.gd copied to cto@moiid.gov.gd informing of the intention to reopen construction sites. The letter should provide information on the name of the company and contact number, the location of the site and the number of workers to be involved.
- The feedback to the contractor will be done by email and by telephone contact for those contractors who do not have email addresses.
- Contractors who do not have access to emails are asked to file their request at the Road Offices at Beausejour, Gouyave, Victoria, Sauteurs, Pearls, St. David and the Ministerial Complex. The applicant must comply with the social distancing and hygiene protocol by wearing a mask or face covering.
- Contractors are hereby instructed to ensure that hand washing stations be established at all construction sites.
- Contractors must ensure that each worker is provided with a safety kit that include at least two masks, and a hand sanitizer each.
- The construction site must be cleaned at the end of the working day as per the cleaning guide.
- All waste and disposable PPE must be removed and securely disposed of as per the cleaning guide.
- The Ministry will inspect the site in 24 hours following the application and construction will commence once the site complies with the COVID 19 guidelines.
- Failure to comply will mean that construction work will be halted and the contactor will be fined.
Additional information will be available on the government website. Hard copies of the detailed guidelines will be available at all Road Offices and the Ministry at the 4th Floor of the Ministerial Complex.
The general public is informed that collaboration with the COVID 19 Task Force will continue as it relates to public education on the resumption of work guidelines for the Construction sector.
The Ministry anticipates the cooperation of contractors and all industry related companies as we build back our economy and continue to attract investment to realize resilient infrastructure for our nation.
For further information, please contact Mrs. Merina Jessamy, Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure Development and Implementation at ps@moiid.gov.gdor the Chief Technical Officer @ cto@moiid.gov.gd and or the Road Offices at:
Beausejour – Mr. Peter Charles – 440-3020
Gouyave – Mr. George Wells – 444-8230
Pearls – Mr. Nicholas Findley – 4427349
Sauteurs – Mr. George Wells – 442-9319
St. David – Mr. Nicholas Findley -444-6242
St. Mark – Mr. George Wells – 444-9319
Annex 1: Proforma Letter for Contractors
Date:
Mrs. Merina Jessamy Permanent Secretary Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Implementation Ministerial Complex
Dear Mrs. Jessamy,
Request to resume construction work
I hereby inform that I wish to resume construction work.
Name of Contractor: ………………………………
Contact: ……………………………………….
Type of project: ……………………………………
Location of the project: ……………………………….
No. of workmen on the project: ……………………….
Email address: ………………………………
I look forward to a positive response.
Sincerely,
……………………..
(name of Contractor)
Annex 2: Physical Distancing and Hygiene Protocol
- Physical Distancing is a minimum of 6 feet
- No work inside of 6 feet physical distancing is to be carried out
- You must wear a mask or face covering
- You are required to use hand washing stations and hand sanitizers
ANNEX 3: REOPENING GUIDELINES – HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLIST
Reopening Guidelines
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
Name of Contractor:……………………………………… Contact:………………………………………………………
Type of Project:………………………………………………. Location of Project:……………………………………
No. of or Workmen on Project:………………………………………………..
Health and Safety Checklist/COVID Guidelines
Checklist • Approved • Pending Comments Each employee should have (provided by employer) safety kits that include at least two masks, and a hand sanitizer each.
The site should also have installed (contact-less and mounted, if possible) hand sanitizers in general locations, including the entrance, for use by employees and anyone on site.
Safety information kit/leaflet/pamphlet
Physical distancing and enhanced ventilation, contact-less doors, and washroom facilities that allow for optimum health and safety practices.
Plan to ensure that sites are cleaned daily, with disinfectant solutions, and repeated throughout the day, as necessary.
Only relevant personnel to the workplace are to access the site. All office employees supporting a project should work remotely, where possible.
A daily register of workers entering and leaving the site must be completed. If electronic sign-in machines are used, these must be cleaned and sanitised after each use.
Signage reminding workers of the COVID-19 physical distancing and hygiene protocol must be posted at the site entrance and in common areas where appropriate. Flyers are available for download on the Ministry of Health website
Sanitary measures are to be implemented on-site to prevent the spread of COVID-19 e.g. hand washing stations, provision of additional hand sanitizer and provision of disinfectant wiping products.
All work is to be undertaken in such a way as to reduce any possible contact between workers and to promote physical distancing wherever possible.
All visitors to the site, such as necessary delivery workers and food vendors, will be restricted to one person wherever possible.
Delivery drivers should remain in their vehicles if the load will allow it and must wash or clean their hands before unloading goods and materials.
All tools, equipment and vehicles must be regularly cleaned and sanitized in alignment with the Cleaning Guide.
Workers must use the Sign-in register to sign out.
Workers must follow the Site Transportation Protocol.
