COVID-19 Testing On Construction Sites
A new initiative launched by Incolink, a joint venture of employer associations and industry unions for the construction industry in Victoria & Tasmania, will see construction workers getting access to dedicated mobile COVID-19 testing facilities. Backed by the Victorian Government, the Incolink Health Bus will launch this week at West Side Place, Melbourne’s $2 billion apartment and Ritz Carlton Hotel project by ProBuild.
Are Constructions Sites Safe?
Construction is one of Victoria’s biggest industries making up around nine percent of all jobs in the state. Understandably, both unions and companies have resisted a complete shutdown insisting that their worksites are safe. However, with all the different contractors required on a construction site, often working in close quarters, social distancing measures can be very difficult to observe.
After a construction worker tested positive for coronavirus on March 26 , the building industry faced further questions about whether it was safe to keep construction sites open. The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) responded with a statement insisting it was safe for work to continue:
The new mobile testing initiative is a positive step forward in keeping workers safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Mobile COVID-19 Testing
All construction companies in Victoria can express their interest to have the Incolink testing bus come to their site on Incolink’s mobile COVID-19 testing page. A testing date will be organised and each worker given an appointment. Test results will be available within 48 hours.
Workers showing symptoms are already encouraged not to attend work and if a test returns positive, the worker will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.