The prevailing coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected how businesses operate throughout the world. Since this virus spreads at a tremendous pace, it certainly poses a significant threat to the organizations and their workers. Keeping employees safe during these uncertain times should be a top priority for every business.
Roofing contractors are no exception when adjusting to the post-coronavirus world’s new work standards. Roof mechanics usually work away from the general public; still, it doesn’t guarantee that they’re safe from the virus. For this reason, roofing services must take it upon themselves to keep their workforce safe during this viral epidemic by proactively dealing with its challenges.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the roofing industry’s best practices that’ll help roofers to cope with various challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic:
Essential Guidelines
The following are some of the basic guidelines for the health and safety of the general public that apply to roof contractors:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds (in case of unavailability of a soap, utilize an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for cleaning hands)
- Avoid touching your face parts like nose, eyes, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Keeping mouth and nose covered with a mask/cloth face covering all the time when you’re out in the public
- Covering your mouth with a tissue paper while coughing or sneezing in a private setting
- Self-isolating at your home when sick, except to get medical care at a nearby hospital, and avoiding direct contact with family members
Apart from these general rules, there are some additional steps all roofing contractors should take to counter particular risks associated with roof installation, maintenance, and repair work.
Creating A Covid-19 Policy
Every roofing contractor needs to implement a dedicated coronavirus policy outlining all the risks of the virus, and the necessary steps to keep everyone safe and healthy. Some of the essential matters in policy may include using PPEs while working, practicing social distancing, sanitizing workstations and tools, and encouraging workers to stay home in case of sickness.
Make sure every individual roofer on your payroll knows about this policy. Forward copies of the policy to all of your team members electronically to let them know about your expectations. Also, communicate any new changes in the policy frequently to keep everyone informed.
Digitizing Your Business
Take adequate measures to minimize in-person contact between you, your team members, clients, and the general public. The most effective way to ensure social distancing is to communicate with one another through online channels as much as possible. As a roofing contractor, you can digitize your business operations in the following way:
- Using online communication apps for work schedule
- Speaking with team members and clients using phones or video conferencing
- Calling clients before arrival for enabling a contact-free site access
- Sending all estimates, contracts, pictures, reports, and invoices electronically
- Assessing projects utilizing clients’ photographs and videos for minimizing site visits
- Using electronic means for sending and receiving payments
Keeping Sufficient Distances
Roofers must ensure safe working practices on-site all the time. Maintaining adequate distances from each other while installing or repairing a metal roof is a must – the prevailing rule of thumb is to stay at least 6 feet away from one another at all times. Other means of keeping a safe distance may include ensuring external access to the roof, avoiding entering building interiors, and prioritizing specific tasks for maximum physical distancing.
Miscellaneous
Apart from these, roofing contractors can also mitigate the potential spread of the virus through the following ways:
- Organizing smaller teams that can operate in shifts
- Setting up dedicated handwashing stations on-site
- Providing a sufficient supply of hand sanitizers
- Allowing for extra hygiene breaks and ensuring frequent handwashing
- Sanitizing workspaces, surfaces, access points, products, and shared equipment frequently
- Avoid sharing tools as much as possible
- Sanitizing shared items before the exchange with other team members
- Ensuring that every roofer wears a mask/cloth face covering at all times
Stahl Roof Systems is a professional roofing contractor based in Alberta. Visit our website to learn more about our expert roofing services or contact us for customized service.
