Across the UK, construction companies are either preparing to re-open sites or are already working tirelessly to ensure that the most up-to-date government guidelines are being implemented across their projects. What is obvious within the current climate is that the pace of change is unprecedented and the ability of the construction industry to manage this change will be paramount in ensuring the stability of the UK economy in the future
Construction output in the UK is more than £110 billion per annum and contributes 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and there is a clear appetite from the Government to ensure that the sector returns to business as usual in a timely manner to help stimulate the wider economy. However, returning to work after a long period off presents many risks if the process is not managed correctly. This article highlights the key points to take into consideration.
Construction output in the UK is more than £110 billion per annum and contributes 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and there is a clear appetite from the Government to ensure that the sector returns to business as usual in a timely manner to help stimulate the wider economy. However, returning to work after a long period off presents many risks if the process is not managed correctly. This article highlights the key points to take into consideration.
Follow the right guidelines
The Covid19 situation is evolving rapidly across the globe and there are many sources of information providing in some cases different advice. It is imperative that the most current Government guidelines are followed in precedence to any other source of information found. Public health is devolved in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and so local public health and safety requirements should be considered alongside UK Government guidance for sites in these countries. The latest UK government guidance for the construction sector can be found here.
Construction firms should take the time to review this information and ensure that risk assessments and method statements accurately reflect the controls that need to be implemented to comply with Government guidance.
As with any other risk management control the dissemination of information is key and we recommend that organisations conduct back-to-work inductions for employees to communicate new control measures that are to be implemented across work streams. Control measures relating to Covid19 should be vigorously enforced and unsafe behaviours addressed immediately. Sufficient resources should be allocated to continually monitor the Covid-19 situation and associated guidance. Construction work is dynamic by nature and emphasis needs to be placed on ensuring working practices remain in line with guidelines as work delivery programmes develop.
Each business will need to translate this guidance into the specific actions it needs to take, depending on the nature of their business, including the size and type of business, how it is organised, operated, managed and regulated.
The Covid19 situation is evolving rapidly across the globe and there are many sources of information providing in some cases different advice. It is imperative that the most current Government guidelines are followed in precedence to any other source of information found. Public health is devolved in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and so local public health and safety requirements should be considered alongside UK Government guidance for sites in these countries. The latest UK government guidance for the construction sector can be found here.
Construction firms should take the time to review this information and ensure that risk assessments and method statements accurately reflect the controls that need to be implemented to comply with Government guidance.
As with any other risk management control the dissemination of information is key and we recommend that organisations conduct back-to-work inductions for employees to communicate new control measures that are to be implemented across work streams. Control measures relating to Covid19 should be vigorously enforced and unsafe behaviours addressed immediately. Sufficient resources should be allocated to continually monitor the Covid-19 situation and associated guidance. Construction work is dynamic by nature and emphasis needs to be placed on ensuring working practices remain in line with guidelines as work delivery programmes develop.
Each business will need to translate this guidance into the specific actions it needs to take, depending on the nature of their business, including the size and type of business, how it is organised, operated, managed and regulated.
Back-to-work basics
Potentially one of the biggest risks of Covid-19 as site work resumes, is if the management of it results in workers taking their eye off the ball on conventional construction risks, which remain as real and present as ever.
The following items are not meant to be an all-inclusive list of considerations but a basis upon which to form an appropriate back-to-work programme.
• A project specific Covid-19 risk assessment should be conducted for each site by a H&S professional with support from occupational health specialist and with input from operational management, human resources and the workforce. Key points from the latest government guidance are: -
- Employers with more than 50 employees are asked to publish their Covid risk assessments on their websites
- Firms must post a standard "commitment" to the guidance for employees and visitors to see
- Overarching objectives are detailed with associated effective "checklists" of steps to take to meet these
- Reference to face coverings as a control measure for certain situations.
- Removal of reference to the "15-minute rule"
- Where two metre social distancing can't be maintained and the work has to continue, then cohorts should be controlled through 'fixed teams or partnering'
• Where sites are reopening, all workers will have been away from construction for some time and hazard perception will be reduced – we recommend some form of universal back-to-work induction, as well as an increased frequency of toolbox talks about general site hazards for the first few weeks
Potentially one of the biggest risks of Covid-19 as site work resumes, is if the management of it results in workers taking their eye off the ball on conventional construction risks, which remain as real and present as ever.
The following items are not meant to be an all-inclusive list of considerations but a basis upon which to form an appropriate back-to-work programme.
• A project specific Covid-19 risk assessment should be conducted for each site by a H&S professional with support from occupational health specialist and with input from operational management, human resources and the workforce. Key points from the latest government guidance are: -
- Employers with more than 50 employees are asked to publish their Covid risk assessments on their websites
- Firms must post a standard "commitment" to the guidance for employees and visitors to see
- Overarching objectives are detailed with associated effective "checklists" of steps to take to meet these
- Reference to face coverings as a control measure for certain situations.
- Removal of reference to the "15-minute rule"
- Where two metre social distancing can't be maintained and the work has to continue, then cohorts should be controlled through 'fixed teams or partnering'
• Where sites are reopening, all workers will have been away from construction for some time and hazard perception will be reduced – we recommend some form of universal back-to-work induction, as well as an increased frequency of toolbox talks about general site hazards for the first few weeks
• Integrating social distancing guidelines into construction activities may require revisions to scheduling and even construction methods:
- Have welfare facilities been arranged for the site that are suitable for the planned number of workers? Have social distancing measures been considered e.g. seating arrangements?
- Are safe working areas provided for employees which provide suitable people and plant segregation? Does the site documentation reflect these arrangements?
- Have risk assessments and method statements been updated for any changes and communicated to the relevant employees for the planned tasks to be undertaken? Remember to record all briefings and ensure employees have signed to demonstrate they have received and understood the information.
- Have access procedures been reviewed for extended hours if this is planned?
- Have emergency response plans been reviewed for limited site occupancy?
- Has the construction phase plan been updated and approved for work to re-start?
• Where sites are reopening, there may be changes in personnel; have competency assessments been undertaken for any new contractors being utilised to conduct works on the project?
• Are there registers on site for recording statutory inspections? If so, have they been reviewed to ensure the necessary inspections have taken place including any fire protection?
• There are likely to be ongoing high rates of absence which will need additional contingency arrangements to manage effectively – how will the sudden absence of a key supervisor be accommodated whilst maintaining quality, for example?
• Where temporary stability measures were introduced prior to mothballing a site, written procedures for their removal should be in place and followed
• Where wet systems are being recommissioned, temporary isolations and settings should be carefully reviewed, and pipework subjected to a nominal air-test prior to re-filling
• Temporary weatherproofing may have become damaged or dislodged and its condition should be checked.
• Integrating social distancing guidelines into construction activities may require revisions to scheduling and even construction methods:
- Have welfare facilities been arranged for the site that are suitable for the planned number of workers? Have social distancing measures been considered e.g. seating arrangements?
- Are safe working areas provided for employees which provide suitable people and plant segregation? Does the site documentation reflect these arrangements?
- Have risk assessments and method statements been updated for any changes and communicated to the relevant employees for the planned tasks to be undertaken? Remember to record all briefings and ensure employees have signed to demonstrate they have received and understood the information.
- Have access procedures been reviewed for extended hours if this is planned?
- Have emergency response plans been reviewed for limited site occupancy?
- Has the construction phase plan been updated and approved for work to re-start?
• Where sites are reopening, there may be changes in personnel; have competency assessments been undertaken for any new contractors being utilised to conduct works on the project?
• Are there registers on site for recording statutory inspections? If so, have they been reviewed to ensure the necessary inspections have taken place including any fire protection?
• There are likely to be ongoing high rates of absence which will need additional contingency arrangements to manage effectively – how will the sudden absence of a key supervisor be accommodated whilst maintaining quality, for example?
• Where temporary stability measures were introduced prior to mothballing a site, written procedures for their removal should be in place and followed
• Where wet systems are being recommissioned, temporary isolations and settings should be carefully reviewed, and pipework subjected to a nominal air-test prior to re-filling
• Temporary weatherproofing may have become damaged or dislodged and its condition should be checked.
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