CIAT response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Updates from the Built Environment
Site operating procedures during COVID-19
The Government has confirmed that construction sites should continue to operate during the current Coronavirus pandemic. Alok Sharma MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, confirmed that the Site Operating Procedures published by the CLC are aligned with Public Health England (PHE) guidance that must be implemented in the workplace.
Update: Site Operating Procedures v6 has now been published and replaces Site Operating Procedures v5.
Updates from The Construction Leadership Council (CLC)
England lockdown –a message to the construction industry (13 January 2021)
A letter to the industry from Andy Mitchell, CLC Co-Chair, regarding the recent national lockdown.
England lockdown – a message to the construction industry (2 November 2020)
A letter to the industry from Andy Mitchell, CLC C0-Chair, following the PM’s announcement of a second national lockdown.
An update on the CLC's People & Skills Network to support a skills led recovery from COVID-19 (29 October 2020)
This letter to Nadhim Zahawi MP outlines priority policy interventions for Government to support a recovery in construction apprenticeship starts and to progress more FE learners into the industry.
Use of face coverings in construction during Coronavirus (29 September 2020)
The CLC now recommends that masks are worn where workers on site are not required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and their workplace (which may include welfare and changing facilities, office or meeting rooms) meets all of the following criteria:
- an enclosed space;
- where social distancing isn't always possible; and
- where they come into contact with others they do not normally meet.
Download the guidance here.
Use of face coverings in construction during Coronavirus (14 August 2020)
In The Use of Face Coverings in Construction during Coronavirus (COVID-19), it is proposed that employers make available face coverings as a minimum where workers are not required to wear RPE for their specific task and their workplace meets all of the following criteria:
- an enclosed space;
- where social distancing isn't always possible; and
- where they come into contact with others they do not normally meet.
Download the guidance here.
Construction Roadmap to Recovery (1 June 2020)
The Construction Leadership Council's Covid-19 Taskforce has laid out proposals to secure the future of construction businesses nationwide, while setting the industry on a sustainable path towards recovery. The Roadmap to Recovery can be downloaded here.
Contractual best practice guidance (7 May 2020)
Advice on contractual best practice has been produced by the CLC via its Covid-19 Industry Task Force. View it here.
Guidance for on-site construction sites
Langley, supported by the Construction Industry Council (CIC), has produced a short video that demonstrates safe and responsible guidance for workers on construction sites operating during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, to ensure the protection of the workforce and minimise the risk of the spread of infection.
Safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic
BSI has published PD ISO/PAS 45005:2020, Occupational health and safety management — General guidelines for safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic, which supplies practical recommendations to organisations and workers on how to manage the risks. Download the guidance here.
The Federation of Master Builders has issued guidance for its members on restarting building work. To view the guide visit fmb.org.uk.
The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum
The CICV Forum was set up with the aim of bringing together the main construction trade and professional bodies to gather intelligence, share advice and speak directly with the Scottish Government on issues affecting members in the current crisis.
An article about the work of the Forum appears in the June/July 2020 edition of CABLEtalk, the SELECT stakeholder magazine. View it here.
The CICV Forum has developed detailed guidance on health and safety and this can be viewed here.
Contractual issues caused by Coronavirus
The Cabinet Office has issued guidance on responsible contract behaviour. Access this here.
Guidance on contractual issues caused by coronavirus has been published by Build UK and law firm Wedlake Bell, setting out key general considerations as well as implications for JCT and NEC contracts. Read it here.
Information and guidance from Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The Building Safety eBulletin will keep you up to date on the shadow Building Safety Regulator being established within HSE and the progress of the draft Building Safety Bill and Fire Safety Order consultation. Subscribe using the link here.
Review Coronavirus information provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - click here to view it.
Regulating occupational health and safety during the coronavirus outbreak.
Guidance for employers to keep lone workers healthy and safe.
Advice for duty holders on additional precautions to help reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus when meeting legal requirements for thorough examination and testing (TE&T).
Downloadable stress talking toolkit which has ideas you can adapt to suit your current working arrangements.
Protecting homeworkers
Furlough scheme risks for directors and professionals
An article from insurance risk and commercial law firm BLM (11 June 2020) on risks for directors and professionals in relation to payments received from HMRC under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Hays Thrive free online training
Hays Thrive is a free online training portal designed to help employers and their teams grow the skills they need to function effectively and evolve in the face of the Coronavirus crisis. Current courses focus on remote working, wellbeing and health and safety. New courses are added monthly. Find out more and sign up here.
Kickstart Scheme
The Government has launched the Kickstart Scheme.
It provides funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
For more information visit: www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme
Planning Market Insight Report from the Planning Portal
Planning Portal have released a report about the impact of COVID-19 on planning applications.
Read May's Insight Report here.
Read the June Insight Report here.
Read the July Insight Report here.
Read the August Insight Report here.
Read the September Insight Report here.
If you require any further information or advice please do not hesitate to contact us at info@ciat.org.uk - we will continue to do all we can to support our Members in this period.