The health and safety of workers on construction sites across Canada was a cause for immediate concern as the coronavirus quickly spread across the country. In the first few days that the pandemic unfolded, industry leaders scrambled to understand the realities of the virus and whether the best course of action was to mitigate (physical distance and enhance H&S protocols) or eliminate (shut down construction sites) the threat.

As we enter May, many provinces are seeing declines in COVID-19 cases, and action plans are being put in place to go back to business as usual. But at the same time, the threat of a resurgence of the virus looms over our heads.

During our conversation, we will identify the issues that came up at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, how prepared anyone was to adapt, any quick victories that were realized, what issues still need to be addressed, what needs to change permanently, and then thoughts on who should bear the expense of the changes.

We will hear from experts in the policy, worker, health and safety, and training fields who will discuss these important issues, helping us understand how to inform labour ministries across Canada of the new regulations, action plans, and oversight that needs to be put in place so that every worker in the national construction industry can know that they will be working in a safe, healthy environment.

 Andrew Pariser – Vice-President, RESCON

 Enzo Garritano, President and CEO, IHSA

 Sandro Pinto, Executive Director, LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre

Construction's New Health and Safety Regime