Increasing Importance Of Construction Workers' Hygiene And Cleanliness

The Indian realty sector and its current condition is going to have a profound impact on the country's economy. This is because of a large number of individuals and businesses depend on the sector as it alone contributes 7-8% to the country's GDP. A change in real estate prices leads to a change in the related businesses and individuals creating a ripple effect across the economy. Realtors are eagerly waiting for the government and banks to come up with relief packages and norms for resuming construction work. Amid all of this, the migration of laborers has further made the situations more complex for some developers.

Dr. Rahul Chaudhary, Promoter, Sun World Group

While the real estate developers are keen on resuming their operations, the government has made it perfectly clear that sites following the rules of social distancing and sanitization protocols will only be allowed to function. This announcement requires developers to sternly and quickly look into the matters of hygiene and cleanliness of their construction sites, workers, contractors and another workforce present at their workplaces.

The altered working cycle with immense focus on cleanliness and hygiene is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus by breaking the chain of infection. There will be a significant change in operating standards of real estate construction management to keep the deployed workforce safe and healthy when realtors begin operating on these new principles and protocols.

Thermal Imaging for temperature screening

Thermal imaging to monitor the temperature of workers and visitors will ensure the entry of only those individuals who are healthy and thus reducing the chances of contagion.

Proper equipment and gear for protection to be distributed

The labourers must be provided with protective suits, gloves, masks and sanitizers for use. Developers must make sure that these are being used in the right way by everyone present at the site.

Handwash breaks

The workers are engaged in laborious activities throughout the day which requires them to work for long hours, inculcating in them the practice of handwashing for 20 seconds after relevant intervals will become necessary. As not all jobs can be carried with wearing gloves, the breaks to wash hands become crucial for their well-being.

Sanitizing the sites at intervals

The construction locations are covered in rubble, and all sorts of solid waste thereby increasing the chances of contamination. In order to ensure proper hygienic and cleanliness standards, sanitization of these places becomes important. This will not only assure the workers that their health is being taken care of but will also increase the chances of continuous work at these sites.

Restricting the number of visitors

Some of the activities that do not need to function on urgent basis must be kept at hold for the safety of all. Site visits should not be encouraged or planned, apart from these architects, engineers who can direct the workers through Internet or calls should be restricted from entering the sites. Government has also allowed special transportation facilities to be arranged by developers for bringing the workers to these sites and has limited the capacity to 30-40%. Developers should make arrangements for the same and see that it is duly practiced.