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The construction sector and COVID-19

7 Oct 2021

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR?

6 construction companies out of 10 say they are disturbed by the successive confinements (study by the French Building Federation). Between the lack of sanitary protection and site stoppages, the construction sector has been heavily affected by COVID-19. In this context, what is the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry? And what are the prospects? The answers are here.

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

With the outbreak of the coronavirus, the year 2020 will be remembered. And for good reason: the pandemic spread so quickly that containment measures had to be put in place. For companies, this means a halt in activity. If some companies have been able to set up telecommuting, the nature of certain sectors of activity makes this practice impossible... and in particular for construction companies which have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Here is the proof in figures:
- 18% of companies have experienced supply difficulties.
- 16% of them have been confronted with personnel management problems, particularly due to contamination or contact cases. And these difficulties are more pronounced for companies with more than 10 employees, since 43% of them are confronted with these problems.
- 10% of construction and public works companies have experienced difficulties with the authorities, particularly with regard to building permits or road authorizations.
- 15.3% less turnover than in 2019.
- 27% fewer public tenders for the Île-de-France region.
Given this observation, it is clear that COVID-19 has disrupted the construction sector. In this context, health safety measures are essential, without forgetting the overall safety of workers.

COVID-19 AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: SAFETY FIRST

Despite a gradual recovery in activity, it seems that COVID-19 will be part of our daily lives for months and even years to come. In this context, companies must maintain the sanitary safety of their way of working. And in construction companies, health measures are accompanied by global safety measures.

Health security

To limit the spread of the virus, and in particular the cases of contamination within the companies, the latter must implement all the required sanitary standards. So if telecommuting is only for office workers, construction managers have to enforce sanitary rules on construction sites.
Whether it's social distancing, wearing masks or regular disinfection, all of these measures are essential to ensure the safety of all. As such, it is in the companies' best interest to display the different rules.

Physical security

Beyond health safety, it is also the global safety rules that must be respected. To this end, the posting of instructions and the safety plan are emphasized. In fact, the legislator requires that all workers see them, as soon as there is coactivity.
These different rules concern the wearing of safety equipment (helmets, glasses, gloves, etc.), the handling of certain products, etc. And for everyone to be able to read them, good lighting is essential.

ELC, LIGHTING FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION SITES

To ensure safety in the construction industry, ELC provides its customers with efficient lighting on construction sites. LUMAPHORE® provides companies with innovative mobile lighting solutions. And this, on all types of construction sites: construction, emergency intervention zones, workshops, storage warehouses, factories, specific work spaces, etc. Darkness is the cause of accidents: risks of falling, machine accidents... but also of visual disorders (eye fatigue, psychological disorders...), those in charge of a construction site must prevent these risks by choosing powerful and adapted lighting solutions.

LUMAPHORE® site balloons can be used both indoors and outdoors, day and night. In addition to enhancing employee safety, this lighting also guarantees visual comfort for greater productivity.