Amended Lock-Down Guidelines: What Construction Recruiters Need to Know

In his announcement on Sunday 10^th May, Boris Johnson said that he wanted workers who could not work from home to be “actively encouraged” to return to work and he singled out the construction and manufacturing sectors as examples.

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As a recruitment expert for the construction industry, you will be faced with questions from your workers about measures to protect them, and possibly from clients about the action they need to take. So, what exactly is the construction industry being advised by government?

They want construction work to continue

Mr. Johnson’s “change of emphasis” is apparent in the Government’s advice to the construction sector. Construction work is seen as important in ensuring public safety and the provision of public services, as well as being an important pillar of the UK economy. We’re advised that work should continue, if it can be done in accordance with the social distancing guidelines.

Where an activity is not compatible with social distancing guidelines, the advice is to consider whether that activity is necessary for the site to continue to operate. If it is, all possible mitigating actions should be taken, but the activity can continue.

Social distancing guidelines

The detail of social distancing guidelines remains the same.

• Staff should remain 2 metres apart wherever possible.
• Staff should wash their hands frequently, especially after blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, on arrival at work, before and after eating, after using public transport, and when they arrive home.
• Teams of workers should be as small as possible, and should be kept together rather than mixing crew members on different shifts.
• Staff should wash their hands before and after operating machinery
• If necessary, “pop-up” handwashing stations or facilities should be added, or hand sanitiser should be provided.
• Workers should keep the windows of enclosed machinery or enclosed spaces open for ventilation, and be careful to avoid touching their face at all times.
• Where possible, stairs should be used in preference to lifts or hoists.
• Staff should be reminded to only come into work if they are well and no-one in their household is self-isolating.

When should workers travel to work?

According to Building UK’s site operating procedures, workers should not travel to work if:

• They can work from home
• They have a high temperature of persistent cough
• They are within 14 days of the day the first member of their household showed symptoms of Covid-19
• They have been identified as extremely vulnerable and have been advised to follow the guidance on shielding vulnerable people.

How should workers travel to work?

Social distancing measures will reduce the capacity of public transport to the point where only 1 tenth of ordinary demand will be met. Therefore, anyone who can, should avoid using public transport, both to save that capacity for people who must use it, and to avoid getting caught up in the inevitable delays.

Workers are advised to travel alone using their own transport where possible. End clients should consider parking arrangements for additional vehicles, and encourage alternative means of transport like cycling where possible.

If workers have to share transport

Where workers have to share a vehicle, they should travel with the minimum number of people, and journeys should be shared with the same individuals. Good ventilation (e.g. Keeping the windows open) and facing away from each other may reduce the risk of infection. Whether they are alone or in company, workers should wash their hands before and after the journey.

If someone falls ill while at work

If a worker develops a high temperature or a persistent cough while at work, they should notify the client and return home immediately. They should also avoid touching anything and follow social distancing guidelines during their journey home. They should then follow the self-isolation guidelines and not return to work until their period of self-isolation has completed.

Enhanced Cleaning Procedures

End clients are advised to implement enhanced cleaning procedures across sites, particularly in communal areas and at touch points such as door handles and push plates, machinery, equipment and lift controls.

Additionally, all areas used for eating should be thoroughly cleared at the end of each break and shift, including chairs, door handles, vending machines and payment devices.

It’s hoped that adherence to these guidelines will allow construction workers to return to sites safely, so work can continue without causing an increase in infection.

If you have any questions or if we can help in any way, please call our expert team on 01296 468 483 or email info@orangegenie.com.