Covid-19 Changes the Way We Work

The world has changed dramatically since the last issue of The Journeyman Roofer & Waterproofer. Over the last three months, the Covid-19 pandemic has altered the way we work, learn, play, communicate, travel and simply interact with one another. Here are a few ways we've adapted.

When New York became a hotspot of Covid-19 infections early on in the pandemic, Roofers Local 74, Buffalo, NY, Business Manager Nicholas Gechell began contacting the local’s signatory contractors in order to defuse chaos and protect members. “I stated to [the contractors] that we need to speak with one voice to ease our members’ concerns about returning to work safely,” he said. With labor and management working together, they drew up a list of safety measures that would be enforced throughout the local’s jurisdiction. For starters, any employee who has any symptoms of or exposure to Covid-19 (or resides with someone who has) must report it to their foreman and leave the jobsite immediately, pending further instruction for quarantine or otherwise. Furthermore, the document details safety requirements that every employee must certify daily they are observing on the jobsite. The requirements include mandatory temperature checks, social distancing, hand washing, face covering, and rules regarding shared tools. Another item on the list is a ban on common water bottles. With this in mind, Local 74 purchased individual gallon-sized water jugs for each member. All of these precautions taken together are meant to ensure that Roofers Local 74 members are working in the safest environment possible, so they can go home healthy each day to their families.

When it started becoming clear that face masks are an effective tool for reducing spread of the coronavirus, the local leadership of Roofers Local 26, Hammond-Gary, IN, sprang into action to protect their members. Business Representative Marcus Bass found and ordered face masks through Image Pointe, a supplier of union-made apparel and promo items. Less than three weeks later, on May 1, the local union received its shipment of 1,000 washable, cotton masks emblazoned with the U.S. flag and the local’s name. There were enough for every member of Local 26 to receive three masks, which they are encouraged to wear on jobsites.

Local 162, Las Vegas, NV, signatory contractor Commercial Roofers, Inc. donated N95 masks to a local medical facility. The N95 Challenge called on all construction companies to donate their surplus N95 respirators to local hospitals or medical facilities. Commercial Roofers met the challenge by donating 100 masks, helping keep frontline staff safe and protected.