COVID-19 Pandemic Brings New Meaning to Concept of “Workplace Safety”
What a difference a day makes.” Most of us have heard this saying at one time or another in the form of a song lyric, an advertising tagline, or words of wisdom (often offered as solicited or unsolicited advice from a friend, family member, or coworker during trying times). With everything that’s transpired over the last few months surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, never has this saying been more true. Just 30 days ago, I was planning this April issue, which has centered around the theme of lighting for as long as I can remember because this edition is always distributed at the annual LightFair show. When we saw early on that this show would be postponed, we decided to move our lighting issue to later in the year — in hopes LightFair would take place in the fall. However, it was ultimately canceled for 2020.
Canceled shows and events — or those transformed from in-person meetings to virtual events — are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to keeping up with the ever-changing effects the coronavirus pandemic is having on our industry. As a business journalist for more than 25 years, I have never seen a news story that’s more fluid than this one. What a difference a day or month makes? How about what a difference an hour makes! Information changes so quickly that it becomes nearly impossible to stay on top of the facts. Add in all of the misinformation circulating out there, and you’ve got quite a lot to decipher. At EC&M, we’re working diligently to sort through the COVID-19 information overload, providing the most practical news pieces, stories, and special reports that will keep you abreast of what’s specifically happening in our industry and how it affects you. In addition to the daily content we post on our website (see the new COVID-19 tab in the hamburger menu), we’ve included a few valuable articles in this print issue. Plus, we intend to dedicate the cover story of our May issue exclusively to the impact COVID-19 is having on the electrical industry.
Very soon after the coronavirus outbreak hit, Jim Pollard, owner of Unlimited PPE, Inc., in Ontario, Canada, shared a piece on his LinkedIn page that we found especially relevant for EC&M readers. Although we all understand the gravity of health care professionals not having the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to protect themselves and their patients from the virus, a similar principle applies to the safety of electrical professionals conducting installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance work. Read the article for more about why sharing is not caring when it comes to arc flash PPE (including suits, hoods, and face shields) and the critical difference between cleaning and disinfecting gear. Addressing a very different consequence brought about by this invisible enemy, the construction lawyers at the firm Duane Morris LLP, headquartered in Philadelphia, examine important contract considerations all parties should keep in mind as they evaluate their response to project delays and closures, safety concerns, and vendor/workforce unavailability in the article.
As we all attempt to navigate the challenging days, weeks, and months ahead, there is no doubt that public health and safety is priority No. 1, followed closely by trying to reverse the economic devastation brought about by this pandemic and getting people back to work as soon as it’s safe to do so. What will be less clear (and important to watch as things transpire) is to what degree and how our world, our country, and our electrical industry will change in the post-coronavirus era as a result of what we’ve learned.
About the Author
Ellen Parson
Editor-in-Chief - EC&M
Ellen Parson is the Editor-in-Chief for EC&M. She has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She's been a business-to-business writer and editor for more than 25 years, most of which have been covering the construction and electrical industries. Contact her at [email protected].