The construction industry has taken a huge knock due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are still trying to adjust to the “new normal” and are making use of printing services to help them. This pandemic has impacted construction projects, not just in South Africa, but worldwide. Sites having to close down for short periods of time due to staff contracting COVID-19 and the lack of available materials have caused production rates to decrease. Following social distancing guidelines, most sites have had to run on skeleton staff to decrease the number of workers on-site at a time.
President Cyril Ramaphosa received a “firm commitment” amounting to billions of rands for the 55 bankable infrastructure projects. 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.
Increased health and safety requirements for staff on construction sites
With the return to work of the construction sector, the South African government has issued additional health and safety requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Many Quantity Surveyors, contractors, and other stakeholders in the built environment are left grappling to determine the way forward on active construction projects as well as tenders for new 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.
While health and safety has always been a part of Quantity Surveyors’ cost reporting, it is now necessary to look at this part of tender documents with much greater scrutiny. Many stakeholders in the built environment, however, are still confused about who needs to enforce the regulations on-site, how the new health and safety specifications should be added to original tender documents, how to determine the cost of implementing the new directives, as well as who is responsible for these costs.
Government wants to ramp up job opportunities to soften the blow of the fiscal crisis that COVID-19 has brought about. With the new infrastructure rollout, Quantity Surveyors, and other professionals in the built environment need to make sure they comply with the new directives so that construction activities can move ahead swiftly. Everyone will need to play their part in responding to the impact of the pandemic as well as the country’s economic recovery.
How the construction industry is making use of printing services
With all these new health and safety guidelines in place, it might be difficult to keep track. Which is where the printing industry comes in. Construction companies make use of Print products for construction site signage, signage regarding information on COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines, public safety Posters as well as worker safety regulations. They also use Print for special notices and letters to residents.
Minuteman Press aims to provide the construction industry with all the necessary printing material and the most up-to-date, visual communications Posters on the ongoing COVID-19 situation to help keep their employees safe.
Contact Minuteman Press Linbro today for more information on the printing services they provide.
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