The MHBA continues to carefully monitor the situation surrounding the spread of the coronavirus in Manitoba. The MHBA has and will continue to recommend to our members that they follow the advice of Health Canada and Manitoba Health’s public health officials.
Here is a further update from the MHBA:
Manitoba moves WMR to Restricted (Orange):
The Province of Manitoba has announced that Manitoba’s public health officials will be elevating the Restart MB Pandemic Response System level for the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region to Restricted (orange) effective Monday, Sept. 28, with new measures being put in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The government’s announced that these restrictions will remain in place for a minimum of four weeks.
You can view the details of the announcement here: https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=49298&posted=2020-09-25
What does this mean?
There are 2 main restrictions as part of the move to “Orange”. They are:
- -Masks must be worn in all public indoor spaces; and
- -Public gatherings, both indoor and outdoor, cannot exceed 10 people.
Impact on construction sites:
Gathering limits do not apply to workplaces. Workplaces such as construction must continue to follow sector specific guidance. (Please see the “Preventative Measures” section below)
Impact on offices:
Are masks required in office settings?
Mask requirements will apply to any location where the general public has access. If a meeting occurs in a workplace, to which the general public would not have access, the workplace must follow sector-specific guidance but would not be subject to the new mask requirement.
How will mask use requirements apply to small meetings?
Mask requirements will apply to any location where the general public has access. If a meeting occurs in a workplace, to which the general public would not have access, the workplace must follow sector-specific guidance but would not be subject to the new mask requirement.
Impact on Parade of Homes:
The MHBA had anticipated this potential development, which is why we had already implemented COVID-19 precautions for the Fall Parade of Homes right from the beginning of the Parade. As a result, builders are not required to take any additional action other than continuing to implement the precautions we already have in place.
We are very proud of the work our Parade builders have done to make the first 2 weeks safe and successful. We need all of our participating builders to continue to be diligent in ensuring our COVID-19 precautions are implemented at all times during Parade Hours. This includes ensuring all visitors fill out the pre-screening questionnaire as contact tracing could become critically important in light of the current situation.
Impact on MHBA’s Office and Operations:
Effective Monday, September 28th and until further notice, the MHBA offices will be closed to the public. The following measures will be in place:
- -No unnecessary visitors to the office;
- -No in-person meetings at the office;
- -Work-from-home and/or work rotation scheduling recommended for all staff;
- -Physical distancing required for staff who are in the office.
MHBA COVID-19 Resources for Members:
As the COVID-19 event continues to unfold, the MHBA has set up a dedicated web page, https://www.homebuilders.mb.ca/mhba-covid-19-resource-page/, to ensure you have quick access to important information necessary to help you and your businesses navigate this tumultuous time.
This dedicated page includes links to the MHBA’s COVID-19 updates, plus a variety of health and business resources and will be updated as new information and resources are made available. We will still continue providing updates to you via email as new information becomes available to keep you as informed as possible.
CSAM has also updated its resource page with additional information. You can visit the CSAM page at https://www.constructionsafety.ca/covid-19-and-manitobas-construction-industry/
Preventative Measures:
Collectively, Manitoba’s residential construction industry must continue to take as many preventative measures as possible to help protect their employees and help ensure business continuity against COVID-19.
Our industry must also demonstrate the protocols, as the public, our workers, and the government are definitely watching. Companies that do not implement these measures are not only putting their own business activities at risk, they are putting all residential construction activities at risk.
The MHBA strongly recommends that all of our members implement these measures, whether in your offices, showrooms, worksites or show homes.
We are recommending that you implement the following best practices immediately if you have not already done so:
- -If any employee or trade has any flu-like symptoms, no matter how minor, have them stay home;
- -Limit the number of trades working at one time on your worksites and have your trades strictly adhere to this directive;
- -Practice social distancing measures in all of your workplaces and worksites;
- -Keep hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes stocked and available if possible;
- -Have workers sanitize their hands frequently during the day;
- -Enable those staff who can work from home to do so;
- -Disinfect frequently used surfaces (Door knobs, countertops, handrails, etc.) on a regular basis;
- -Post signage at entrances to worksites, your business and show home/rooms asking those who have recently travelled internationally or those who have any flu-like symptoms to not enter;
- -Avoid greetings that involve touching, including shaking hands;
- -Wash your hands properly and frequently; and
- -Provide disposable towels/napkins should people wash their hands in your show home/workplace. Please do not use reusable (regular) towels in your bathrooms.
Reminder – Exterior Trades:
The MHBA reminds you to please discuss the preventative measures with all of your trades on site. These measures need to be in place for workers outside as well as inside when on site. Please review this important information with all of your trades.
Guidelines for customers visiting homes under construction:
We have heard that builders are seeing customers attend to their new homes under construction unannounced on a more frequent basis. The MHBA Workplace, Safety & Health Committee recommends that all builders contact their current customers proactively to inform them that visiting their new home under construction without an appointment can potentially put the activities on the worksite at risk and can impede their possession date.
All visits to construction sites should be done by appointment only and with the full awareness of both the builder and their site supervisor. No unscheduled visits from customers should be allowed under the current circumstances. This is for the protection of both the workers onsite as well as the customers themselves, who are entering an active construction site and undoubtedly not have the proper PPE on that is required on an active site.
A reminder as well that no workers should be onsite and active during a customer visit.
The MHBA recommends that all builders please share this important reminder to their customers proactively to help avoid this situation.
Please share this update and discuss these important measures with your staff. Site Supervisors should also share and discuss this information with all trades on site.