Construction leaders call for clearer guidelines

With the construction industry continuing to adjust to a ‘new normal’ following five weeks of lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis (COVID-19), construction leaders have called for clearer guidelines as more sites start to open.

Last Friday, Alok Sharma, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, hosted a meeting of the key business sectors that operate ‘outdoors’ to discuss how the Government could improve its coronavirus guidance to industry.

Construction leaders Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol, along with Contractor members Mark Reynolds (Mace) and Greg Craig (Skanska), are raising a number of issues holding the industry back from getting back to work.

They are calling for the construction sector to have clear ‘permission to work’. Reassuring both workers and members of the public that certain industries are asking to continue their operations alongside the Government’s ‘stay at home’ policy.

The Construction Leadership Council has set out clear sector guidance on complying with social distancing requirements and the importance of Government endorsing sector-wide policies such as the Site Operating Procedures for construction. However further guidance on the use of PPE in non-clinical working environments is necessary.

The industry has also asked for further clarity over the reference to 15 minutes’ face to face contact as set out in the Government’s guidance on Social Distancing in the Workplace for the construction sector.

Contractors and clients are also asking for greater flexibility from local authorities on extending working hours to support output and productivity where social distancing requirements result in a reduced headcount.

And then construction workers will need access to public transport for workers, especially in London, with sufficient capacity, that is safe for workers and other travellers.

Build UK is also calling on the supply chain to contribute to a Materials & Accommodation Survey to provide information about current challenges being faced by contractors. CLICK HERE to participate in the survey.