What's Happening in Kempton Park, Gauteng…

Across the globe, construction projects are impacted by the pandemic in myriad ways including reduced or compromised availability of materials, slow-downs in production rates, non-availability of specialist resources, site closures where the number of infections is high, and a reduction in the availability of labour due to compromised health workers, among other challenges.

If it wasn’t for the Covid pandemic, the construction sector would be riding a wave of serious growth. There were billions’ worth of new project commitments. As we struggled through the year, everyone in the sector could not wait for the year to end. But rather what we should all have been wishing for and must now do is to find an answer to this pandemic. News of vaccine breakthroughs perhaps came at the right time.

As we start 2021 with hope the virus can finally be defeated, there is at least enough planned projects to force a revival in the construction sector. Among the 55 projects that government has earmarked for development is an aviation park near Upington, a smart city in Lanseria, a R3.1-billion Space Infrastructure Hub, a 516-hectare citrus farm in the Eastern Cape, and a water project that includes some 160km of pipe, and pump stations to get water to Eskom’s large power stations, Medupi and Matimba, among other projects.

But before we can all be vaccinated and now, we still must keep construction sites safe from the virus. It is not the time to relax and be complacent.

Health and Covid-safety precautions must be strictly observed across the sector

As it became clear more had to be done to contain the spread of Covid, the South African government issued additional health and safety requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Quantity surveyors, contractors, and other stakeholders in the built environment worked hard to ensure the regulations were adopted on all active projects and worked into all planned construction projects.

The construction sector is one of South Africa’s major economic contributors, and it will be a sector that government prioritises due to the labour-intensive activities it offers. The new guidelines by the ASAQS will not only assist Quantity Surveyors, contractors, and employers on how to minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission and illness to themselves and their employees on construction sites, but it will also provide the much-needed clarity on the guidelines, responsibilities, and expense accountability.

This year the government will want to ramp up job opportunities to soften the blow of the fiscal crisis that COVID-19 has brought about. With the planned infrastructure projects, stakeholders in the construction sector must comply with all health and safety precautions to prevent new Covid outbreaks in the sector. Everyone will need to play their part in responding to the impact of the pandemic as well as the country’s economic recovery.

Printing services key to fighting Covid-19 in the construction sector in 2021

Printing is an essential business serving critical industries during COVID-19. In 2021, the construction industry will again rely heavily on Print services for the signage and other materials it needs to ensure compliance with Covid safety rules.  

Among other printed materials the sector will need are site signage, public safety Posters and Signs, special notices and letters to residents, and worker safety posters, signs, and guidelines. 

Property developers, construction owners, Quantity Surveyors, and contractors have faced many challenges as they navigate through mostly uncharted territory with their projects experiencing mounting risks from the effects of COVID-19.  Let’s we have all learned enough about the virus to stop it ruining the year 2021 as it did 2020.
Minuteman Press is where you can get all your Covid safety signage and other printed materials in Kempton Park. For more details on our products and services, get in touch with us today.