Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, confirms that the construction industry will be fully reopened as of May 11, 2020.
This decision, supported by Quebec’s public health authorities, is subject to change as the health situation in Quebec evolves. It is important to note that staff performing administrative tasks will continue to telework.
This means that construction sites will resume in all sectors of the construction industry: mass transit and road building, residential, institutional, commercial and industrial. At the same time, the industry’s supply chains, made up of numerous SMEs, will be fully reopened.
Protecting workers
Minister Jean Boulet reminds companies that they must take the necessary steps to ensure a successful reopening. To this end, the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) has prepared a kit to provide employers and workers with the tools they need to deal with the risks of spreading COVID-19, and to ensure everyone’s health and safety. This kit is available on the CNESST website.
CNESST’s 300 inspectors will be on the lookout and on site to ensure compliance with the health and safety guidelines set out in Guide COVID-19 – Chantiers de construction. They can intervene in the event of a complaint, a right of refusal or a serious workplace accident, in addition to demanding the correction of dangerous situations and ensuring compliance with the Act respecting occupational health and safety (AOHS) and regulations.
“The watchword on all construction sites will be: we continue to protect ourselves. Our government has worked closely with public health, construction partners and the CNESST to ensure the health and safety of workers. Residential construction sites, which resumed operations on April 20, have demonstrated their adaptability, agility and willingness to protect the health and safety of their workforce. If all goes well, the other construction sites will resume on May 11. Rest assured that our government will be there to do everything in its power to accompany and support companies in this reopening. I expect the return to work to be orderly and in strict compliance with the sanitary measures prescribed by public health authorities.”
Jean Boulet, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region
Highlights :
- On April 13, the CNESST made available the Guide COVID-19 – Chantiers de construction and the daily checklist to ensure compliance with public health guidelines. These tools are aimed specifically at the construction sector.
- If you have any questions about the relaunch, please visit https://www.quebec.ca/sante/problemes-de-sante/a-z/coronavirus-2019/reponses-questions-coronavirus-covid19/questions-reponses-employeurs-travailleurs-covid-19/#c56126.
- Guide COVID-19 – Construction sites and the daily checklist are available on the CNESST website: https: //www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/salle-de-presse/covid-19/Pages/QR-construction-covid-19.aspx.
- To learn more about the coronavirus, please visit Québec.ca/coronavirus.
(source: Government of Quebec)
