The coronavirus crisis has necessitated sweeping changes among every industry, including the U.S. construction industry.
Many experts agree that most of these changes will remain in place even after the virus subsides.
As the construction industry prepares to return to work as shelter-in-place initiatives begin to ease, the industry they return to might not be like the one they left.
The construction industry could be drastically changed by the pandemic's public health and economic effects.
New factors are coming into play now that no one would have ever expected, but it's essential to plan now to be prepared for the long term.
The coronavirus has upended many facets of the construction industry. Companies that want to return business-as-usual may face a harsh new reality.
A paradigm shift in many construction areas has led contractors to do many things differently than they did in the past.
In the article below, we will discuss three ways that COVID-19 could alter the construction industry for the near future and beyond.
Table of Contents
- Job Sites Will Be Safer
- Social Distancing Will Be Normal
- Prefabrication Adoption Will Increase
- Contact CDMG Today
Job Sites Will Be Safer
Coronavirus has put a spotlight on the importance of worker health and safety.
Many U.S. contractors have responded by implementing new policies such as staggered shifts, employee temperature checks, and the complete disinfection of job sites, tools, and machinery.
Some construction managers have done things like implementing a ban on carpooling, a mask and glove policy, and well-stocked hand-washing stations.
Many companies are distributing hand sanitizer across job sites.
There is a significant emphasis on cleaner, less crowded work areas. It isn't likely to go away as soon as the virus does.
Once the virus goes away, no one should expect things to revert back to the way they were before the virus.
More health and safety measures will have to be implemented so that employees are comfortable returning to work.
State, local, and federal regulations will likely reinforce the new normal.
OSHA could even require employers to develop written infectious disease preparedness and response plans.
The belief among medical experts that outbreaks across the world will come in waves for months or even years makes safety plans important now and into the future.
Companies need to be flexible and creative to think of new ways to perform certain tasks that they have performed in the same way for many years up until this point.
Social Distancing Will Be Normal
Social distancing on job sites will likely continue even after the coronavirus is less of a threat.
Expect to see fewer group activities and more defined procedures and protocols for even some of the most routine and mundane tasks.
Even when the outbreak subsides, state and local officials will put measures in place that mitigate risk on construction sites.
Washington state, for example, is requiring that construction workers should keep 6 feet between each other.
Non-compliance could lead to a project shutdown.
Social distancing has also changed how contractors interact with project teams and with their customers.
As a result, companies are developing unique solutions to stay in touch.
Web-based tools can allow clients to hold virtual public meetings.
Public meetings are a crucial component in the process of creating public projects.
Web-based tools will allow employees and customers to engage with the public about the impact and benefits of proposed projects from the safety of their homes.
In some areas of the country, building departments are implementing remote technology for inspections.
For example, instead of a physical inspection, 360-degree photos and videos could be sent to the local fire marshal for a virtual inspection.
This will allow the project to be turned over on time while keeping everyone safe.
Construction companies will have to come up with efficient ways of doing business while abiding by the regulations set forth by state and local governments, as well as OHSA.
Because people are very aware of what's going on in the news, they're more willing to accept change.
Prefabrication Adoption Will Increase
The enhanced focus on worker safety will accelerate the industry's move to offsite construction methods.
Companies like CDMG have been in the prefabrication for many years, and are already experts in the space.
The coronavirus pandemic will motivate more firms to take advantage of the benefits of offsite building.
CDMG has known for a while that the assembly-line efficiency and climate-controlled environment of factory production save on labor costs and shortens project schedules.
Now the other advantages of prefabrication, like increased site safety and reduced congestion, will take center stage in post-pandemic construction.
Prefabrication methods reduce the amount of time you're in the field.
Keeping the labor force in a controlled environment is good from a health standpoint as well.
Contact CDMG Today
CDMG has been a leader in the prefabricated metal building space for years.
If you're starting a new construction project and want to build using the safest, cheapest, and quickest method available, contact CDMG to ask them about their prefabricated metal buildings.
CDMG already has years of experience using the prefab method, and they will make sure your project is done the right way.
Click the button below to get started.
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I'm Ben Sparhawk, the Content Writer and Marketing Account Manager for CDMG. I write to showcase the work that CDMG does and everything related to the pre-engineered metal building industry as well as their engineering capabilities. When I'm not working on content, you can find me spending time with my wife and children. You can also find me in the gym, trying to better myself, and I also enjoy spending time outdoors hiking or checking out local parks.