As with almost every other aspect of healthcare facilities in the last year, construction projects now have a new set of considerations due to COVID-19. As a result, managers overseeing the planning, scheduling and performance of construction projects have had to adapt to this new environment that aims to protect construction workers and facilities staff from the coronavirus.
Most recently, new guidance from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training is aimed at improving ventilation at indoor construction sites that don’t have working HVAC systems, according to Safety+Health.
Improved indoor ventilation is part of a layered approach to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, according to CPWR, along with physical distancing, respiratory protection, face coverings and reducing the number of workers in an area.
When HVAC systems aren’t operating on a construction site, CPWR recommends: opening windows, doors and other passage, when weather permits to increase fresh outdoor air; using fans to increase airflow and introduce more outdoor air; and placing fans so fresh air is drawn in from one opening in the workspace and exhausted through another opening on the other side of the space.
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