Additional COVID-19 measures in Germany’s construction industry

IG BAU, the Central Association of the German Construction Industry and the Main Association of the German Construction Industry have all agreed to implement additional preventive measures to provide construction workers more protection against COVID-19. 

Part of the additional measures include the distribution of 1 million FFP2 masks at construction sites. “With the unmitigated pandemic, we consider it necessary that fellow workers have sufficient FFP2 masks available. Leading to winter, much of the work will shift to closed environments as more renovations and interior fittings will take place. The cold weather could lead to an increase in infection,” IG BAU Chairperson Robert Feiger said.

The three parties to the industry's collective bargaining agreement said that more COVID-19 tests will also be carried out. At the same time, the groups called on politicians to include the statutory accident insurance institution’s (BG BAU) medical service and company doctors in the country’s vaccination campaign.

“This would surely contribute to the fast implementation of the country’s vaccination program,” Central Association of the German Construction Industry President Reinhard Quast said. 

Main Association of the German Construction Industry President Peter Hübner also said that they are pushing BG BAU to strengthen its information campaign on COVID-19 and the vaccination program. “Our aim is for BG BAU to expand its range of health advice and monitor compliance to COVID-19 protocols across the board,” he said. 

Full statement here.