How We’re Keeping Employees, Contractors, and Clients Safe
At Ouellet Construction, the safety of employees, contractors, and clients is our top priority. We feel confident that our efforts to maintain a safe job site environment for all are working.
Here are a few ways we’ve been adjusting our operations:
Portable Hand Washing Stations
In our effort to continue to employ best safety practices, we’ve had to come up with some creative solutions due to the shortage of cleaning and related supplies. For example, we built a few portable hand washing stations for our job sites that do not yet have running water. These tanks with mounted soap dispensers allow our employees to keep their hands clean throughout the day.
We also found alternative solutions to paper towels and small liquid hand soap containers, since they are in short supply. Instead, we purchased large industrial rolls of hand towels and dispensers, along with liquid hand soap in gallon jugs. We will continue to do what is necessary to keep our employees safe on the job.
Daily Safety Toolbox Talks
We continue to closely monitor our job sites to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, subcontractors, and clients. Daily Toolbox Talks at the beginning of each workday keep everyone informed and start the day off right.
During these brief meetings, we discuss general safety risks related to the job site, risks specifically related to COVID-19, and how to perform tasks safely as a result. We recognize the importance of keeping the risks associated with COVID-19 top of mind every day and will continue to arm our employees with the information and supplies they need to stay safe.
Recognizing Individual Employee Safety Concerns
Ensuring the personal safety and health of our employees and our community is of the utmost importance. We want our employees to feel safe and to feel taken care of during this difficult time. We are empowering our employees to voice their questions and concerns without reservation, and we are addressing their questions and concerns head-on.
Social Distancing Protocols
For all jobs in progress, we are practicing social distancing (at least 6 feet apart at all times) and following all protocols and guidelines. We will continue to do so as long as we’re in a state of emergency.
How We’re Utilizing Advanced Technology To Keep Projects Moving Forward
Ouellet has always invested in advanced technology that allows us to provide our services as efficiently as possible. Our project management platform, Procore, has helped us to continue to efficiently coordinate projects and communicate details without having to be onsite. We’ve been uploading photos at least twice per day, which is extremely helpful to our clients, subcontractors and design team.
This tool has helped us significantly increase access to information for everyone involved in our projects, and we are happy to have invested in it prior to COVID-19. We’ve also been communicating digitally using Zoom, so that everyone can stay up-to-date on project progress and changes.
Efforts to Support Our Community
We are supporting local and regional healthcare facilities in whatever way we can. We’ve recently donated supplies to facilities located in Aroostook County, specifically in greater Madawaska, where Ouellet originated. Additionally, we are supporting local events and fundraising efforts. Many of these organizations rely on events for much of their funding, so we’re doing our best to contribute and participate in the virtual events that are taking place.
Commercial Construction Industry Support
AGC of Maine has been very supportive of its members and all businesses in the construction industry. They created a Safety Communication Packet for members to use for safety communication on all projects. We developed a safety letter using policies/processes from this document, and have found that their efforts in creating this have saved us a significant amount of time and resources. We appreciate AGC’s support during this difficult time.
Stronger Together
To our valued clients, contractors, employees, and our community – we ask for your patience as we navigate this difficult time together.
We will continue to post updates on how we are adjusting our on and off-site operations to ensure the safety of all, while also continuing to be as productive as possible. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for news, updates, and more as we move forward with determination and hope.
Thank you in advance for your understanding, cooperation, and support. We will get through this together, and we will emerge stronger as a result.