According to the Deputy Prime Minister’s Decision, Shift Work Should Be Established on Construction Sites Whenever Possible

The safety rules for preventing the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at construction sites are determined by the decision of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan. The employer bears the full responsibility for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions.

Efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus at construction sites are implemented according to the phases of the epidemic situation in the country. Currently, the following rules are applied when organizing work at construction sites:

1. General Organization of Work:
   1. It is necessary to appoint a person responsible for measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (hereinafter referred to as the Responsible).
   2. Employers should refrain from involving workers from high-risk groups for severe development of the virus, while observing the rules defined by Article 186 of the RA Labor Code. Included in the high-risk group are:
      • a. Persons with weakened immune systems (e.g., cancer),
      • b. Individuals aged 65 and above,
      • c. Persons with chronic illnesses (respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease (hepatitis), chronic neurological disease (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis), stroke),
      • d. Persons with diabetes.
   3. Crowding of people should be avoided at the entrances/exits of construction sites.
   4. Access of non-essential personnel and outsiders to the construction site is prohibited.
   5. The work schedule should be prepared in a way that allows sufficient time for cleaning and disinfection.
   6. Meetings/discussions are organized outdoors with only key workers attending, maintaining social distance (1.5 - 2 meters) between participants.
   7. Shift work should be established in all possible cases.
   8. If group work is anticipated, the duration of such work should be minimized. Groups of workers engaged in such work are registered and documented.
   9. Work zones should be designated within the construction site for workers performing different functions.
   10. Unidirectional staircases should be installed at construction sites to minimize contact between workers.
   11. Disinfectant containers, napkins, and covered trash bins should be provided on the construction site.
   12. Facilities must be provided for washing hands with running hot and cold water, with elbow or foot-operated taps (if this is not possible, immediate disinfection should be available), along with soap.
   13. Delivery zones should be separated, where only delivery personnel and receivers meet. Transfers between the deliverer and receiver should be limited as much as possible (e.g., delivery documents, pens for signatures). During deliveries, delivery personnel should remain in their vehicles, and goods should be unloaded by workers wearing personal protective equipment.
2. Rules for Workers:
   1. Workers' temperatures should be measured either by remote or individual thermometers. Each worker's temperature should be checked twice a day (ensuring safe procedures), one of which should be at the time of reporting for work, and should be recorded in a logbook.
   2. Access to the construction site should be denied for workers showing symptoms of acute respiratory infections (fever, cough, cold, difficulty breathing).
   3. Workers on construction sites are required to wear protective masks.
   4. A space for eating should be provided with facilities for washing hands with hot water and soap and disinfection options, ensuring social distancing.
   5. Breaks should be utilized outdoors, and break schedules should be organized to minimize the number of workers in the same location at the same time.
   6. The use of equipment such as coffee machines, microwaves, etc., should be limited, or disinfecting means should be provided for sanitation after use.
   7. The maximum permissible number of workers should be determined in different areas of the construction site and lunch areas to maintain physical distance.
   8. After work, grouping of workers is prohibited.
3. Safety of Construction Works in Residential Areas:
   1. Efforts should be made to minimize contact between construction workers and residents.
   2. Non-urgent construction work should be avoided if the residential area is experiencing a registered coronavirus infection or has residents under a quarantine regime. In urgent cases, workers involved in construction must wear gloves, protective clothing, and masks.
   3. The hands and tools of workers engaged in construction should be disinfected prior to entering and exiting the work area, and any surface or equipment in the work area should be disinfected before the start of work.