of California (AGC) and United Contractors (UCON) Association
websites for guidance in construction. These agencies have assembled
a team to assist the construction industry on how to stay compliant
as well as keeping us updated on the new orders per county.
We are all learning together and have to adapt to a new way of life
and work.
Foundation Constructors realized that the only way through
this was to embrace the things we had no control over and make
it a part of what we do to overcome adversity. This would start by
coming up with a solid plan based off of the Centers for Disease
Control recommendations and later by adhering to the state and
local orders that were being put into place. In order to make this
the new normal and have total compliance, we had to generate
complete buy-in from executives, office staff and field personnel.
I spoke with Ryan Hay, our yard foreman, and he stated that it
has been difficult to purchase parts and equipment from vendors
that are not physically at their office. It has been equally difficult
to receive deliveries from vendors who are hesitant to come into
contact with others. In spite of these hurdles, Hay has been able to
foresee what he needs and is able to meet deadlines and schedules
as necessary.
Part of the challenge that most people can relate to are those
changes in one’s personal life. Many of us have kids and now the
kids are not able to attend school or childcare. We have been
advised to distance ourselves from other family members, friends
and public places. Working from home was a temporary solution
for some but not for all. Having to stay at home can cause mental
stress for people. The psychology of dealing with our personal life
is definitely playing a factor on our professional life.
Education
Foundation established a COVID-19 Safety Guidance Plan, which
is an ongoing document that is shared and discussed with employees
on a weekly basis. The need to go over updates and protocols
is essential for understanding and compliance. I always say, if you
take the initiative to explain the concept thoroughly, whether it be
in safety, quality, production or our COVID-19 plan, it helps to rectify
the importance of what it is that you are trying to accomplish.
Explaining to employees what compliance means to me helps
them understand and put into perspective what really matters.
As an essential part of our plan for compliance, we appointed
our field leaders as COVID-19 supervisors. As we continued to
train and educate our supervisors, they felt better prepared to tackle
the questions and concerns in the field. By providing and monitoring
toolbox topics, updates, instructions, foreman’s meetings
and interaction in the field, we assure that these tools are being put
into action. Foundation Constructors supplied the team in the field
with disinfecting wipes, face coverings and a daily COVID-19 talk.
With the family-like mentality at Foundation Constructors,
managers and executives gathered to discuss additional ideas and
how to implement them. Recognizing who could work from home
eliminated some of the staff from having to come into the office on
a daily basis. Essential staff that needed to complete business in
the office were put on a rotating calendar for a couple of months.
This allowed them to take an additional day away from the office.
It was also decided to have the office disinfected weekly, display
the correct signage on the doors and educate delivery drivers of
our new protocols. As we implemented these ideas, they proved to
be successful and we continued to work to reduce the amount of
exposure in the office.
Prevention
Moving forward to today, I look back on how far we have come
and how many changes we have adapted to. One of the more challenging
preventative measures is the that of wearing a face cover.
SAFETY
Continued on page 123
Pile drivers and operating
engineers work closely to
one another consistently and
although it can be awkward to
wear a face covering, everyone
must be diligent in wearing one.
120 | ISSUE 4 2020 www.piledrivers.org
/TRINITYPRODUCTS.COM
/www.piledrivers.org
