Dealing With The Construction Impacts Of COVID-19
As a construction manager, you need to know about Impacts Of COVID-19 and how it may affect the construction process. The pandemic is new territory, and experts are not sure how it will affect the construction industry. However, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest information about the virus, so you can keep your workers, suppliers, and stakeholders updated on what is happening.
Costs
COVID-19 is an emerging coronavirus that has caused concern among health insurance providers and policymakers. It can add substantial costs to healthcare budgets, which may be detrimental to the economy. Additionally, COVID-19 could negatively impact private insurance plans and employers. Many companies are trying to limit the financial impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.
Costs of COVID-19 infections are expected to reach over $163.4 billion in the United States. This estimate is based on a Monte Carlo simulation of a 20% infection rate. The actual cost of COVID-19 infection could be much higher or lower.
Time
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted construction projects in a number of ways, including commodity price swings, extended performance costs, and higher interest payments. It may also have caused contractors to source materials from more expensive sources and increase labor costs due to travel restrictions. The delays can also cause increased internal staffing costs and project financing and management fees. In addition, government authorities may order a reduction in the construction workforce.
Although the construction industry is used to cyclical downturns, the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak have been unprecedented. Many companies are unable to access their cash reserves and will have to look for new sources of financing. As a result, some may even face insolvency.
Employees
The Construction Industry was one of the first industries to feel the Impacts Of COVID-19. Exposure to the virus has increased, and projects have been delayed or altered. In addition, COVID-19 has caused many construction workers to adapt to new policies regarding sanitation and personal protective equipment. Furthermore, the technology used for remote work has increased the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a result, it is important for contractors to follow the best practices and follow guidelines.
When dealing with the construction impacts of COVID-19, it is important to ensure that the project team understands the implications. For example, COVID-19 may cause supply chain disruption, delayed performance, and higher costs. It may also impact funding and risk management processes. For example, government authorities may require contractors to postpone certain work activities until the situation improves. Additionally, COVID-19 can affect the ability of contractors to find labor and materials.
Supply chain
Supply chain resilience is crucial to the resilience of the construction and infrastructure sector. In a VUCA world characterized by a high degree of uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity, the construction and infrastructure sectors need to assess their supply chain vulnerability and develop true resilience. This requires an integrated approach to assessing the impacts of disasters and creating resilient supply chains. The key to achieving this is to learn from COVID-19 but also prepare for future shocks, which could include extreme weather, energy scarcity, financial market distress, and civil unrest.
The global impact of COVID-19 is already being felt across the construction supply chain. Supply shortages of labor and key building materials have slowed the progress of construction projects around the world. This has caused significant delays and increased costs in virtually every industry. Key construction materials such as steel, roofing material, PVC and copper piping, glass, adhesives, drywall, and electrical equipment are among the most affected.
Contractual obligations
Contractual obligations when dealing with the construction impacts of COVID-19 must address a number of potential issues. One of these issues is how to deal with impossibility as a performance obligation relief measure. While the common law defense of insurmountable obstacles will not apply in this circumstance, it is important to understand how contract clauses handle this situation.
First, contractors should thoroughly review any proposed new construction contract. They should review the terms of the clause to identify which contractual obligations create commercial risks related to COVID-19 and what rights the contractor has under those provisions. In particular, they should pay attention to the sections regarding force majeure, emergencies, changes, and site investigations. They should also make sure that any provisions in the contract give the contractor relief, time extensions, and financial compensation in the event of a COVID-19 impact on the project.
Mental health
Mental health is an important issue in the construction industry, and many construction companies are committed to supporting worker well-being. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has created widespread anxiety among construction workers, who face pay cuts, social isolation, and joblessness fears. To prevent this, construction companies should improve the mental health of their workers.
In a new study, researchers looked at the patterns in self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety among construction workers. The results showed that a subset of almost 1,300 construction workers reported an increase in these feelings between 2019 and 2020. This increase was particularly pronounced among female workers and those who reported having a low family income. Furthermore, the higher risk of mental illness was reflected among workers between the ages of 18 to 54.