Pile Driving Through
the Pandemic
How Foundation Constructors, Inc.
implemented and managed pandemic protocols
SAFETY
By Chris Kinley, Safety Director, Foundation Constructors, Inc.
Pile driving is not exempt from the effects of the current
COVID-19 pandemic. As an industry, we have had
to prepare for the impact, change, education and prevention
that is necessary to protect our employees’ health and
safety in the workplace. As we all know, the COVID-19 outbreak
has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International
Concern and has spread to many countries and territories. While
COVID-19 continues to progress, it was imperative that our company,
Foundation Constructors, Inc. in Oakley, Calif., take action to
prevent further transmission by implementing control measures
within our workplace.
Impact
As the world entered the lockdown phase of the virus, terms like
“pandemic,” “social distancing” and “quarantine” started to embed
themselves in our everyday life. News and social media platforms
begin to inundate us with reports of city-wide closures and layoffs.
As a pile driving construction company, Foundation Constructors
was fortunate enough to be considered an essential business.
However, the U.S. government issued advisories for construction
companies to take all necessary precautions on sites and to protect
workers and the public.
Foundation Constructors and Foundation Pile (in Fontana,
Calif.) felt the wrath of COVID-19 early on. With companies shutting
down, bids postponed and jobs canceled, we knew we had
to act swiftly. It was important for us to continue our family-like
mentality and impeccable safety record, and we knew we had the
ability to increase morale during uncertain times. As Foundation
Constructors’ corporate safety director, I knew this meant our
team would have to come together and come up with some ideas
to keep us moving forward.
“With a few adaptations to our work methods, we have been
able to maintain our production rates and keep our employees safe
at the same time,” said Michael Schneider, the company’s senior
estimator. “Our clients have been pleased with our efforts and
ability to continue forward and help them to move their projects
toward completion. While there was a slight pause in work with
the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and governmental restrictions,
over the long term, it has had little impact on our ability to
be successful.”
Change
Foundation is fortunate enough to be considered an essential service,
continuing to work throughout the pandemic, while others
are reaching to just stay afloat. We feel fortunate, but there is a
price to pay. As we sift through many different levels of home lifestyle
changes, we must now adhere to many different levels of work
lifestyle changes. These changes are becoming the “new normal” to
protect our pile driving crews and staff.
If you are like myself, I often reference the Pile Driving
Contractors Association (PDCA), Associated General Contractors
Photos courtesy of Foundation Constructors, Inc.
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