The OPPBTP is mobilizing to improve hygiene on construction sites

From October 9 to November 20, 2023, the OPPBTP is joining forces with stakeholders in the construction sectors to launch a large communication, awareness and field support campaign on the subject. Through the promotion of concrete solutions and good collective and individual practices, the objective is to give professionals in the sector the desire and the means to act to effectively improve hygiene and working conditions on construction sites.

Hygiene on construction sites, an elementary subject...

On construction sites, hygiene meets basic needs for professionals. This includes access to a camp and/or hygiene facilities, water, toilets, as well as the possibility of taking meal breaks in a shelter and having clean and suitable work clothing. adapted.

The health crisis linked to the Covid-19 epidemic had highlighted the importance for employees to work in good hygienic conditions and the mobilization against contamination had notably made it possible to improve these conditions on construction sites. However, a study carried out by the CNAM in 2022: 25% of construction sites do not have a shared living base, connected or maintained on a daily basis. On individual house sites, 70% of sites do not provide toilet cubicles, and 25% do not have running water.

...with multiple repercussions

However, the issues related to hygiene on construction sites are numerous. It is first and foremost a question of dignity for the women and men of the construction industry, in order to provide them with working conditions that respect their basic needs: washing their hands, going to the toilet, eating warm food or even shelter. and have running water available during periods of extreme heat, for example. By meeting these needs, it is also about preserving the health of 1,4 million construction workers.

In addition, the improvement of hygiene conditions responds to a problem of attractiveness of the sector. To decently welcome and motivate the 153.000 young people currently in training and all future hires, it is necessary to be able to offer them decent working conditions.

Finally, by reducing absenteeism, work accidents and even MSDs, and by promoting a better working atmosphere, improving hygiene conditions is also a factor in productivity gains and therefore economic performance for businesses.

A first partnership with ACIM-DLR

In 2022, the OPPBTP entered into a partnership with the ACIM-DLR, which brings together the Actors of Industrialized and Modular Construction (Acim) and the National Federation of Distributors, Rentals and Repairers of construction and handling equipment (DLR ) via its Sanitary Commission and Mobile Units SUM/DLR.

As part of their collaboration, the partners have developed a selection guide to develop the offer of services to businesses, with proposals for the configuration and layout of hygiene equipment. Intended for project owners, companies and installers to facilitate order taking, this guide is a reference which offers different installation configurations, illustrated with diagrams and provided with technical specifications in order to offer each site its solution.

The OPPBTP, with the help of the ACIM-DLR, has also identified a large number of initiatives, solutions, services and good organizational practices on construction sites that they now wish to promote to as many companies and companies as possible. construction industry players.

A dedicated campaign to give people the desire and the means to act

Also, from October 9 to November 20, 2023, construction industry players are mobilizing around the issue of hygiene in order to contribute to improving working conditions on construction sites. The OPPBTP, and its partners, the General Directorate of Labor, the National Health Insurance Fund, the Construction and Interprofessional Occupational Health Prevention Services and the ACIM-DLR/SUM, will carry out a national communication system, information, awareness and field support for all professionals in the sector, with the support of INRS and professional organizations of employers and employees. The objectives of the system are:

• To bring about a cultural change on the subject of hygiene, by making all those involved in construction operations aware of the benefits and their interest in improving hygiene on construction sites;
• To highlight and offer clients and companies practical hygiene solutions on different types of construction sites;
• To establish a vision of current practices in comparison with the recommendations of the COVID period (and other good practices);
• To remind people of good individual hygiene practices in the professional environment.

The system is organized around three main axes:

The deployment of a communication campaign

In order to raise awareness among as many construction professionals as possible and invite them to take action, the OPPBTP and its partners rely on the promotion of practical solutions and testimonials, with the leitmotif “In construction, hygiene is This is our construction site! ".

The campaign will be deployed mainly on digital media such as social networks and shared by OPPBTP partners with construction companies.

The Organization also provides a series of posters based on the five fundamentals of hygiene on construction sites: the camp, drinking water, access to toilets, meal areas, and clothing. work.

An information and awareness system

Campaigners are also deploying numerous resources and tools to help businesses take action:

• A national webinar “Hygiene for all, everyone has their own solution!” » for operators, supervisors and business leaders, hosted by the OPPBTP and occupational health services and organized over three dates (November 7, 10 and 15).
• A dedicated site hygienebtp.fr focused on pedagogy, which allows you to discover practical solutions, register for webinars and access a complete toolbox. The latter provides access to a wide selection of content such as functional posters and stickers, 40 construction site solutions, practical tool sheets, e-learning and the choice guide developed in collaboration with the ACIM-DLR.
• “Two minutes prevention” videos to raise awareness among construction workers.
• Intervention support for CSEs and prevention networks.

A strong presence in the field to support professionals

The OPPBTP mobilizes its prevention advisors to meet companies, analyze their needs and initiate a support process. To do this, the Organization plans to meet business leaders and workers on more than 200 construction sites in order to carry out a targeted diagnosis of the state of their construction sites and their way of thinking and organizing hygiene, with particular attention paid to short and medium duration projects.

After each diagnosis, tailor-made recommendations will be offered to companies, integrating concrete solutions to be implemented according to their needs, such as for example connectable or autonomous, fixed or mobile installations, but also equipment essential for the comfort of use such as: warming cabinet, hand basin, boot scraper, clothes dryer, etc.

Furthermore, a major survey carried out by the Construction and Interprofessional Occupational Health Prevention Services will be sent to companions during medical visits in order to question them on their perception of hygiene installations on construction sites and to address good behavior individuals to adopt.

The diagnostics carried out, the companion survey as well as all the data collected during the campaign will also provide a barometer of the consideration of hygiene and provide feedback and testimonials. This new data will make it possible to sustainably organize the action of the construction sector in favor of better hygiene on construction sites.