The guide to health safety recommendations published by the OPPBTP has not been modified following this announcement. However, the Organization reminds building and public works professionals of the consequences of these new regulatory provisions on their activity:
- From August 30, 2021, the obligation to present a health pass in the places mentioned by law (health, social and medico-social establishments, restaurants - except company restaurants -, seminars and trade shows, long-distance public transport) will also apply to people who will work in these establishments "when the seriousness of the risks of contamination in connection with the exercise of the activities which are practiced there justifies it, in particular with regard to the density of population observed or envisaged".
- The employer is authorized to check the validity of the health pass for his employees who are required to work or intervene in the places and establishments concerned by the obligation to present this proof. In compliance with medical confidentiality, the employer only has access to the QR Code of the health pass, specifying whether or not the pass is valid. He does not have access to the nature of the proof. However, if the employee wishes, he can present his full proof of vaccination status to his employer. In this case only, the employer is authorized to keep the proof of his employee, until November 15, 2021, in order to issue him a specific title allowing a simplified verification.
- When an employee is not able to present their health pass in the places and establishments concerned, they can first take days off or leave, the time to obtain health proof. If he does not choose this option, in agreement with his employer, his employment contract may be suspended. The OPPBTP recalls that construction workers are not affected by the obligation to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Details are however awaited concerning the obligation of vaccination of an employee of the construction industry in management, or in long-term service contract for example, within a health, social or medico-social establishment.
- In companies and establishments with at least 50 employees, the employer is required to inform the CSE of the health pass control measures that he intends to implement. The opinion of the CSE is issued at the latest one month after informing the employer, and may intervene after the latter has implemented these measures. In addition, the internal regulations must specify the measures relating to the health pass implemented in the company (compulsory cases, presentation and control procedures, possible sanctions, etc.).
“Given the latest developments in the epidemic, and although construction workers are not affected by the vaccination obligation, the OPPBTP encourages all construction workers to be vaccinated, unless there is a medical contraindication. We recall that the law provides that they benefit from a specific leave of absence, which does not entail any reduction in salary, and that occupational health services are available to companies and employees. " adds Paul Duphil, Secretary General of the OPPBTP.
For the record, in his Covid-19 toolkit, the OPPBTP offers a choice of posters to facilitate compliance with good health practices. The last update of the guide as well as the advice sheet on contact tracing latest update are available there.
In addition, prevention advisers and trainers from the OPPBTP are always available in the field as well as remotely thanks to the service. PreventionBTP Live. A database of specific Questions / Answers on Covid-19 is available there.