Evaluation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the construction sites

COVID-19 is the most critical health and safety risk facing the global construction sector. The COVID-19 crisis leads to a reduction in site productivity, has increased compliance costs, delayed projects and increased construction workers' exposure to risk and infections. However, as countries begin to ease lockdowns and restrictions, there is a need to examine the measures that the construction companies can take to ensure workers are Covid-safe. This research developed a questionnaire instrument that included 24 Covid-preventive measures on construction sites. Isolating sick workers, conducting daily checks for COVID-19 symptoms, preventing hugging/handshaking at the site, displaying health advisory posters and info-graphics, and providing face masks to workers are seen to be the main measures towards keeping sites Covid-safe. The Principal Component Analysis structured the 24 measures into 4 components. The 4 components explained about 73% of the model, namely hygiene and control, equipment and monitoring, awareness, and incentives. The results found that compliance costs of health and safety regulations to prevent COVID-19 will increase project cost by more than 20%, site productivity will be reduced by up to 50%, and the pandemic will have caused a 40% increase in skill shortages. Cluster analysis was performed to cluster the sites in terms of their exposure to COVID-19 risk. In order to examine the practicability of the findings, the model was validated with 4 case studies. It is asserted that the research findings have the potential to keep sites Covid-safe, which helps construction companies increase productivity, reduce project costs, reduce claims, and deliver projects on schedule. This research is the first to examine measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on construction sites, and the findings hold critical theoretical and practical implications for future research on health and safety management.

Automated summary

COVID-19 crisis poses serious risks to the global construction sector, leading to reduced productivity, increased compliance costs, delays, and higher exposure to infections for workers. As countries ease restrictions, it is crucial for construction companies to implement preventive measures to ensure worker safety, such as daily symptom checks and providing masks. Compliance costs may rise above 20%, productivity could decrease by 50%, and skill shortages increase by 40% due to health and safety regulations.