Because We All Need More Plastic, Shell Won't Close Beaver Co Construction Site (6,000 Workers)

[hatrack]

Shell says construction will go ahead at its Beaver County petrochemical plant despite the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The company says it is following guidance of federal regulators and altering some aspects of its operations to promote social distancing at the site, where 6,000 people are working, even as some workers said they are worried about transmission of the virus there.

Several workers, speaking on condition of anonymity because they believe speaking publicly could jeopardize their jobs, said they were concerned about the ease of transmission on a site with so many workers. They said social distancing is difficult on the shuttle buses workers must take into the site, and because large groups of workers attend meetings and meals together.

KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh reported Monday that workers at the site said conditions there were “unsanitary” and “raised concerns” about crowded spaces. But the company is staying open and taking steps to reduce the risk of transmission, said Shell spokesman Michael Marr. “There have been no presumptive or confirmed cases of Coronavirus among our site’s workers,” Marr said.

EDIT

Nelson said unions at the site had agreed to changes in the lunch schedule to reduce crowding. “We’re trying to limit somewhere right around 175 to 200 people in a tent that normally holds around 500.” The White House has recommended gatherings be limited to 10 people.

EDIT

https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2020/03/17/shell-keeps-massive-construction-site-in-beaver-county-site-open-despite-coronavirus-worries/

[Phoenix61]

1. No disrespect to construction workers etc

and acknowledging I’ve never been on a large scale sites but it just seems it would be really difficult to maintain high sanitation levels. There’s just so many moving parts.

[safeinOhio]

2. Good thing Shell has deep pockets.

A major viral out break there and it may cost them.