Ontario Construction News staff writer
After a month-long shutdown due to concerns about COVID-19, Nova Chemicals has resumed construction work at its $2.2-billion project in St. Clair Township.
Nova is building a new polyethylene plant next to its Corunna facility, where work is also being done to increase production.
The company announced in late March it would temporarily limit the work to critical equipment lifts and deliveries in response to restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. That move was expected to reduce the site’s construction workforce by about 90 per cent.
“Through a phased approach, we intend to safely and steadily resume some construction activities on both projects,” the company said last week in a statement. “We will continue monitoring the situation and adjust site activities as needed, keeping worker safety and well-being at the forefront while progressing our business-critical construction projects.”.
Operations will resume at both sites, gradually increasing the number of construction workers.
It added there will be a gradual increase in the number of construction workers at the site.
Nova Chemicals said in February approximately 600 tradespeople had been working at the construction sites.
The company says it has taken “significant steps” to ensure worker safety at the sitesincreased communication with contractors and unions, daily on-site audits to ensure compliance with government protocols, and additional steps aimed at maintaining physical distancing, along with setting up additional hand-washing trailers and stations.
Individuals entering the site are screened and cleaning has been enhanced in common areas.
Petrochemical construction projects have been deemed essential work by the provincial government during the outbreak.
Before the delay, Nova expected work to be finished in late 2021.