From the Editor

VACCINE MANDATES RIPPLING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION

Here we are in October, and it’s looking an awful lot like last October as Canada continues to struggle under the weight of reducing COVID-19 cases nationwide. It’s a slow fight, but we appear to be steadily getting there thanks to continued efforts on the part of public health officials and professionals doing their best to keep our country safe.

Vaccination is, of course, one of the key tactics being used to push COVID-19 back, thanks to its overall effectiveness at reducing the likelihood of contracting the disease and limiting its severity for those who do. The number of people getting the jab has slowed, however, and in early October Canada has reached roughly 77 percent of the population having received one dose and 72 percent fully vaccinated. To move that number higher, the federal and provincial governments have been setting their sights on encouraging unvaccinated people to get their shots more quickly. The private sector, including businesses in the construction industry, is also adding to the voices of those driving for higher vaccination rates.

Each province has its own approach to COVID-19 management, and the political spectrum is such that not every province will be going in the same direction when it comes to vaccines. Quebec, for example, has mandated that construction workers who are working near hospitals and long-term care facilities were to be double vaccinated by October 15. The province’s labour minister told media that the intention was to protect both the healthcare environment as well as the general population.

Quebec’s move is the first by a provincial government specifically targeting the construction sector, which has remained working almost constantly through the pandemic with a variety of adjustments and safety measures brought into place. Some large contractors, however, are moving to beat the rush and are establishing their own vaccination mandates for employees.

On September 14, EllisDon and PCL Construction announced they were bringing in vaccine verification requirements with the goal of ensuring their workplaces are safe for employees.

The companies will require full vaccination for Canadian employees working on their job sites by November 1, 2021, and noted that testing will not be offered as an alternative to full immunization.

PCL President and CEO Dave Filipchuk pointed out that full vaccination is the most effective way to reduce COVID-19

It’s vital that the industry focus on ensuring its workers are prepared and ready to be on the job when mandates come down. Contractors who haven’t reviewed their own policies around vaccination for their employees should take the time now.

spread, and that the vaccination requirement follows on PCL’s commitment to safety through masking, distancing, screening, PPE and other measures that have been instituted.

With national contractors like these coming on board, it’s very likely that the floodgates will open and more will follow soon. That means anyone looking at subcontracting on big projects may find that they and their employees are required to be vaccinated if they want to get those jobs.

All of this is driving concerns about deeper challenges surrounding a shortage of skilled workers, so it’s vital that the industry focus on ensuring its workers are prepared and ready to be on the job when mandates come down. Contractors who haven’t reviewed their own policies around vaccination for their employees should take the time now, as these regulations will almost certainly affect them in the near future.

Lee Toop

Editor

ltoop@baumpub.com heavyequipmentguide.ca