Viruses know no borders, and no company is immune to the economic and operational challenges posed by COVID-19. Even so, essential businesses including construction are weathering the storm with tenacity and strength adapting to new ways of partnering, communicating, building, and delivering services to clients – with a key focus on safety.
Currently, Balfour Beatty’s California Division is operating at 100% with 55 local projects up and running. With flexible schedules enabling both on-site and remote work capabilities, the general contracting firm is proud to have all employees working – a result of their rapid “People-First” response.
Adjusting Jobsite Best Practices to Stay Safe
Stepping foot on a Balfour Beatty jobsite today, you’ll be greeted by a Hikvision thermal temperature scanner or a no-contact infrared thermometer detecting the temperature of every person entering the jobsite. You’ll scan a QR code that records jobsite attendance and initiates a daily COVID-19 questionnaire. You’ll notice frequent handwashing stations in addition to 32-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer secured by a local distillery. Every employee you come across will be wearing a Balfour Beatty branded face mask, implementing shift work, and adhering to the CDC’s six-foot physical distancing guidelines. The Balfour Beatty jobsite trailers have been reconfigured in full alignment with the company’s “Workplace Readiness Plan.” As a further protective measure, Balfour Beatty assigns a designated COVID-19 Coordinator to ensure site-wide compliance with all rapidly changing protocols.
Staying on Schedule
Understandably, many clients are concerned about the impacts that potential material delays and a possible reduction in the workforce could pose for project schedules. Balfour Beatty teams are leveraging virtual pull-planning sessions, increasing the frequency of schedule updates, and communicating any potential delays in real-time while proactively working with design partners to select materials less likely to be impacted by market volatility. Balfour Beatty is leveraging national and global supply chain partners to get ahead of long-lead items – minimizing schedule impacts.
Leveraging Technology to Stay Connected
Remote working has dramatically changed the way we conduct business. Through the power of technologies like Microsoft Teams and other cloud-based platforms, Balfour Beatty has remained connected and collaborative. From owner-architect-contractor (OAC) meetings, client interviews, industry presentations – and even the occasional social hour – they’ve maximized the use of virtual communication with teammates, clients, and partners alike.
Going Forward
This is a challenging time for everyone; nevertheless, the construction industry is used to overcoming new challenges every day. With proper ingenuity, resilience, and a Zero Harm Safety Culture, Balfour Beatty’s team of experts and allies will stand by ready to meet the needs of clients, passionately delivering on the purpose to be the best building partner in California.
Information for this article was provided by Balfour Beatty. To lean more, visit balfourbeattyus.com.
