Author: anthony

Scottish Gov’t Permits Site Preparation Work from 29th May

COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS

Scotland’s construction sector can begin site preparation work from Friday

Confirming the Scottish Government’s plan for outdoor workplaces to resume as part of the first phase out of lockdown, Nicola Sturgeon said: “From tomorrow, the construction sector will be able to restart site preparation, that’s the first phase of its restart plan. It will be required to consult with further with government before moving on to the second stage of that plan.”

The industry-agreed six-step phased model for the return of the construction sector is:

  • Phase 0: Planning
  • Phase 1: COVID-19 Pre-start Site prep
  • Phase 2: ‘Soft start’ to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
  • Phase 3: Steady state operation (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
  • Phase 4: Steady state operation (where physical distancing can be maintained and/or with PPE use)
  • Phase 5: Increasing density/productivity with experience

In its newly updated COVID-19: construction sector guidance, the Scottish Government said: “Progress through these stages will be evidence-led and dependent on all parties working in genuine partnership. As an initial stage we are planning for the construction sector to implement the first two phases in its restart plan from 29 May, with a decision to move to ‘phase 2’ of the construction sector’s plan only after consulting with government to ensure it is safe to do so and in line with public health advice.”

Read this news in full at Scottish Construction Now

NOTE: This is basically just confirmation of the announcement made a week ago, with site still not authorised to re-start actual construction work on non-essential in Scotland.

Scottish Gov’t Plan for Phased Return of Construction

COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS

The construction sector could return to work on a phased basis from May 28 under a new framework announced today by the Scottish Government. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today: “The construction industry will be able to carefully implement steps one and two of its six-step restart plan, which it has developed with us“.

The industry-agreed* six-step phased model for the return of the construction sector is as follows…

  • Phase 0: Planning
  • Phase 1: Covid-19 Pre-start Site prep
  • Phase 2: ‘Soft start’ to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
  • Phase 3: Steady state operation (only where physical distancing can be maintained)
  • Phase 4: Steady state operation (where physical distancing can be maintained and/or with PPE use)
  • Phase 5: Increasing density/productivity with experience

(*Worth noting that today was the first time many of us on the ground have seen this six-step plan!)

Read more at Scottish Construction Now 21 May Article: Gov’t Outlines Phased Return to Construction.

UPDATE 22 MAY: Also read update on Scottish Construction Now 22 May Article: Further Clarity Sought.

UPDATE 22 MAY: ‘Phase 0’ and ‘Phase 1’ are approved so far per a Scottish Housing News article… “The construction sector will be instructed to implement the first two phases in its restart plan with a decision to move to ‘phase 2’ of the construction sector’s plan only after consulting with government to ensure it is safe to do so in line with public health advice“.

UPDATE 22 MAY: Also refer Brodies Legal update here: brodies.com/binformed/legal-updates/construction-in-scotland-the-latest-state-of-play

Covid-19 Construction Site Guidance Collection

COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS
KCDM Construction Site Guidance Collection

Published today is a Covid-19 Guidance page prepared by Keenan CDM with the intention of gathering key guidance information from various sources in one location for ease of reference. This page will be updated regularly as and when new or revised information is published and can be found via the link on the homepage or click here.

Page updated 28th May with new Scottish Safe Operating Guidance docs.
Page updated 21st May with revised CITB checklists for CLC SOP v4.

Coronavirus/Covid-19: Latest HSE Guidance @ 14th May

COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS 
HSE Guidance via Email Today

HSE Covid-19 Image

Check the HSE website daily for the latest updates.

Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak

Our (HSE) new guidance will help you keep workers safe (COVID secure) during the outbreak.

It covers the steps you should take to protect workers and others, in line with your normal legal duties in managing risk and risk assessment at work.

The following guides will help you manage the risk from coronavirus in your business during this time:

Government guidance published

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published guidance to help employers keep  their workplaces operating safely during this time.

The latest guidance covers eight workplace settings including:

Social distancing guidelines

HSE has guidelines on how businesses must maintain social distancing and protect workers.

The guidance explains what employers must do in order to protect workers and keep their businesses open. It covers:

  • social distancing (employers who have people in their offices or onsite should ensure that employees are able, where possible, to follow the appropriate regulations and/or guidance for England, Scotland and Wales on social distancing)
  • essential and non-essential work
  • safe in-work activity

The construction industry has come together to show how it has been interpreting and applying government guidance in responding to Covid-19 by providing practical examples of how it is safeguarding its workforce while operating sites.

Many examples have been built on the Construction Leadership Council’s ‘Site Operating Procedures (v3) – Protecting Your Workforce During Coronavirus (Covid-19)’ guidance and its hierarchy of controls, which can be downloaded here.