b'This article originally appeared in the Quarter 2 2021 issue of Builders Digest and is reprinted with permissionAs essential workplaces, jobsites have been under intense from the Toronto Construction Association.S peculation these days is focused on what thescrutiny during the pandemic to meet stringent guidelines new normal will be for industries as vaccine programs around the world move people past the worst of the COVID pandemic. The construc- to protect workers against exposure to COVID.tion industry in Canada, and specifically Ontario, is part of this speculation process as experts try to predict what the post-COVID industry will look like and how the industry will change. andCEOJohnProtective Roofing AccordingtoTCApresident Mollenhauer, The use of new normal for the con-struction industry may be a misnomer. Prior to the pandemic, there was no normal for the industry. In- Safety Productsstead, our industry was and continues to be in a state of constant change. The pandemic has simply creat-ed more challenges that the industry must deal with.McKinsey&Company,afirmthatstudiesthe constructionindustry,publishedareportin2020 that contained both short- and long-term trends or disruptions that will impact the industry as a resultBYof COVID. Many of these disruptions were evident prior to, or have come to light as a result of, the pan-demic. They include:increasing digitization and vertical integration to improve company efficiencies;rebalancing supply chains for better resilience to materials availability;pursuing consolidation to support investment in new technologies and innovation;shifting to more off-site modular construction to better manage health and safety protocols for workers; andbecoming closer to current and future customers.To a great degree, the disruptions identified byThe PR 100 Guardrail SystemMcKinsey blend with issues that were and are still driving change in the Ontario construction industry.is an efficient and practical perimeter guardrail that allows youThey include continually evolving health and safetyto work right to the edge of the roof.programs that meet upgraded provincial regulations Meets and exceeds OSHA & WCB requirementsand mitigate risk to workers and companies, as well Accommodates: parapets and cant stripsEasy to installas a growing skilled labour shortage as the industry strugglestoattractnewpeopleandthousandsof Provides unobstructed access to roof edgecurrent workers move towards or reach retirement. Also playing a role is that we are falling behind in the adoption of new technology needed for innovation to deal with the skilled worker shortage and compete with the up-to-date technology of international com-petitors.Another area of change is the need for careful planningandcashflowchallengesunderprompt payment and the new Construction Act, notes Mol-lenhauer. The unprecedented industry growth in the past has created a ready, shoot, aim approach for contractors to keep up with demand. This approachThe PR 600 Mobile Fall Protection Systemis not going to work in the future. can be moved along the roof by pulling the cart to the desired working location, The COVID Effect providing a safe working area. The PR 600 meets O.S.H.A. compliance 1926.502D.After nearly 18 months of the pandemic, what changes has COVID brought to the industry thatRoofing & Sheet Metal Super Service Centreswill impact its future? The most visible change is in the area of health and safety. As essential workplaces,EDMONTON, AB CALGARY, AB WINNIPEG, MB WESTON, ONjobsites have been under intense scrutiny during the(780) 432-2786 (403) 255-8236 (204) 338-7613 (Weston Road)pandemictomeetstringentguidelinestoprotectBARRIE, ON HAMILTON, ON TORONTO, ON (416) 745-4111workers against exposure to COVID. Coming out(705) 792-6683 (905) 560-2858 (416) 534-8421of the pandemic with health concerns diminishing,WESTON, ONit is expected that COVID guidelines will becomeOAKVILLE, ON PICKERING, ON LONDON, ON (Signet Drive)astandardlayerofprotocolsforallhealthand(905) 825-0034 (905) 426-4443 (519) 668-3626 (416) 744-2050safety programming. www.sparmarathon.caORN THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 3 202113'