Maldives National Association for Construction Industry (MNACI) has published a safety guideline to continue work of the construction industry during COVID-19 pandemic.
The guideline titled Guideline to Combat COVID-19 was launched by President of MNACI Mohamed Ali Janah during an online meeting. The guideline has been written in the six languages most commonly used by nationalities working in the construction sector.
The guideline includes instructions for workers in a construction site. The workers are required to wear face masks at all times, and the tools must be disinfected if they are shared. Additionally, people at the site must also practice social distancing.
The guideline states all construction sites must appoint a Site Health Safety Representative to check temperature of the workers during entry to the site and every 6 hours during work. The construction sites must provide hand washing facilities and hand sanitisers and accommodation facilities have been instructed to house workers from one single construction site.
Speaking during the online session, Janah said the guideline is deemed necessary for the safety of everyone, despite challenges in implementing the guideline. He further said MNACI will run an awareness session in the following week for 100 participants to familiarise companies with the information. Site Inspections of 384 companies will also be carried by MNACI to ensure the construction sector adheres to the new guideline.
The construction industry has restarted operations after attaining approvals from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) following a suspension of all activities amid the lockdown imposed in the Greater Male' Region.
HPA has issued permits to 4 companies to restart construction at 11 sites considering the possible damages that may incur to the neighbours of sites from a continued suspension of work.