Category: Covid-19 / Coronavirus

COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS

Scotland’s construction sector can now resume close working

Scottish Construction – close working can now take place. The move to the phase 4 of the six-step phased restart model means that close working can now take place on site – with appropriate PPE use if necessary. Scottish Government were quoted as saying, “Controlled close working will enable the sector to carry out tasks that have not been possible since the lockdown began, but we are of course not back to business as usual yet and the health and safety of construction workers and the public remains the top priority.”

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

Read more on Scottish Construction Now.

COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS 
Scottish Guidance Issued/Updated Today

New & updated documents as of 28th May 2020 available to view/download direct from the sources below:

SAFE RETURN & RESTART (Guidance Book)
Expanded Guidelines to Underpin Construction Scotland’s Safe Operating Guidance
By Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum

CONSTRUCTION RE-START PLAN
Guidance for the Scottish Construction Industry
By Construction Scotland

CONSTRUCTION GUIDANCE
Working on site during the COVID-19 pandemic: Construction Guidance
By Construction Scotland

This has been added to the Keenan CDM Covid-19 Construction Guidance page.

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.