Crane Operators as “Essential” in Construction during COVID-19
Essential personnel in a time of a global pandemic are the “front-liners” such as doctors, police officers, the military, first responders and many more.
The country’s leaders also consider several manufacturing and construction jobs to be “essential” too.
On 03/21/2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy made an official announcement stating certain essential employees may report to work.
“… are not limited to, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, other first responders, cashiers or store clerks, construction workers, utility workers, repair workers, warehouse workers, lab researchers, IT maintenance workers, janitorial and custodial staff, and certain administrative staff”(Governor Murphy, 2020).
Categories as stated, can widely reach to numerous job positions. For instance, construction positions like architects, engineers, and crane operators may be essential to maintain our way of life.
Triax Technologies Inc located in Norwalk, CT stated recently “Cranes are necessary for many construction projects, particularly large, multi-story commercial, residential, or office space buildings, which continue to increase in metropolitan areas around the U.S.”
Construction jobs require product to be hoisted by a crane to work safely and efficiently. Without crane operators included on construction, work could be significantly compromised.
Jay Sturm, Cranes 101 in Massachusetts states:
“Ancillary businesses like training and inspection companies work hand in hand with construction companies and their workers to help maintain safe working conditions at all times including this unprecedented time in our history”
In fact, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, and the president of North America’s Building Trades Unions, Sean McGarvey conclude that construction industries perform vital and essential operations.
“Construction workers provide an invaluable economic service, maintaining and improving the nation’s infrastructure, including critically important energy and communication systems, roads and bridges, and social infrastructure, including police, fire and health care facilities” (Lescohier, 2020).
References:
Construction Cranes: Keeping Workers and Bystanders Safe. (2018, September 13). Retrieved March 24, 2020, from https://www.triaxtec.com/2018/02/20/construction-cranes-workers-bystanders-safe/
Lescohier 2020-03-23T23, J. (2020, March 23). US construction officials, unions rally to continue working. Retrieved March 24, 2020, from https://www.khl.com/international-construction/construction-officials-and-unions-rally-for-exemption-from-work-shutdowns/143004.article
Official Site of The State of New Jersey. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2020, from https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/20200320j.shtml
Jay Sturm Cranes101 and Cranes Aerial Truck Service founder located in Massachusetts