Armed with a new health and safety protocol they have dubbed “We Build…Healthy!” the team at one of the oldest and most prolific commercial contractors in Michigan’s Great Southwest ventured back into the field this week following a nearly two month shutdown mandated by the Michigan Stay Home, Stay Safe plan that went into effect in March.
Burton Pearson II says his Pearson Construction crews were back at it this week with strict adherence to their We Build…Healthy plan which plays off the company’s tagline of simply We Build. Pearson is President of the 102 year old company headquartered on West Britain Avenue in Benton Harbor. His firm’s new safety protocol is anchored by the Pearson COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan, which has been implemented on all project sites and at the company offices in Benton Harbor.
The focus of the plan is protecting customers and employees from the COVID-19 virus and incorporates the guidance of U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), Berrien County Health Department, and industry standards regarding health and safety protocol.
Pearson had been preparing for the re-opening of the construction industry in Michigan for the last several weeks, after receiving the State of Michigan Executive Order 2020-70 on May 1st, which allowed workers in the construction industry to return to work on May 7th. The We Build…Healthy! program was fully implemented on Monday, May 11th as several construction project sites re-opened and office staff returned to work at the company headquarters.
Pearson says, “We understand our duty and responsibility to safely re-open project sites and start-up new projects for our customers and employees,” and adds, “Safety has always been the number one priority at Pearson. We expanded our health and safety program to incorporate additional protocol specifically for the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last few days we have held training sessions for all our field personnel and office staff to get everyone up to speed on the new procedures.” Pearson notes, “We are fortunate to be in an industry that has always operated under strict safety measures and adding the new COVID-19 protocol was a seamless integration with our safety program. Sean Ebbert, our vice president, led the company efforts of the preparation, training, and implantation of the new protocol.”
The Pearson COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan includes guidance on field and office protective measures, cleaning and disinfecting, and exposure situations. All employees were given individual face masks and hand sanitizer for their personal use. The plan states that when working in owner occupied buildings, all employees and subcontractors shall coordinate, understand, and practice the protective measures required by the owner. The Pearson plan is applicable to all its visitors, subcontractors, and material suppliers.
The plan includes the following guidance topics for worksites and home office:
- Conducting meetings
- Managing job sites
- Completing daily field reports
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Hand washing and sanitizing
- Social distancing
- Cleaning and disinfecting of work sites and office building
- Reporting changes of individual health status
- Exposure to or contracting COVID -19
- Reporting requirements
- Re-instatement of employees to worksites and home office
The companies comprehensive plan states that in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus everyone must play their part. Employees need to take steps to protect themselves, customers, and other employees as outlined in the plan. In addition, employees are expected to report to their managers or supervisors if they are experiencing signs or symptoms of the virus and stay home.
Founded in 1918, Pearson Construction is the leading commercial, industrial, and institutional construction services firm in Southwest Michigan. They are a third generation, family-owned design build, general contracting, and construction management firm, headquartered in Benton Harbor. The Pearson family of companies also includes TERA Architects, a full-service architectural firm, originated in 1956 as Pearson Engineering, Inc. You can learn more about Pearson online at www.pearsonconstruction.com.
