Scotland’s Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has issued detailed guidance for businesses and their workers to follow when they return to work.
Firms in the sector are permitted from today to carry out site preparation for work to resume on an unconfirmed date.
The CICV advice includes how to keep potentially infected employees away, adequate personal distancing on sites, during meetings and in vehicles, car sharing while travelling to work and high risk infection points to be aware of.
It states that tasks should not be attempted if they cannot be completed within the guidelines.
The Forum, established in April by trade and professional bodies, has published the guidance in its 42-page document, Safe Return and Restart, which is designed to underpin the Safe Operating Guidance released last week.
Rebecca Crosland, CICV member and health and safety advisor at the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), said: “Safe Return and Restart is an important contribution to the protection of the workforce and to help minimise the risk of further spread of infection.
“It is intended to provide detailed guidance to businesses of all sizes across all construction activity in line with the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland recommendations on the management of Covid-19.”
Pete Walker, director of health, safety and training at the British Constructional Steelwork Association, said: “Health and safety has never been more important and it is paramount that it is not compromised at this crucial time.
“The entire sector is relieved about planning to getting back to delayed projects, but sites must be aware that there can be no derogation to the usual health and safety legislative requirements. If an activity cannot be undertaken safely, it should not be undertaken.”
Craig Hartley, head of health, safety and improvement at property refurbishment provider Hugh LS McConnell Ltd, said: “This is an important step forward in providing clear and concise guidance.
“The discussion until now has been whether it would be safe to return and, now that that decision has been taken, it is up to everyone in the sector to make sure that when work begins that we operate in accordance with the highest possible standards.
“The guidance, like all CICV Forum advice, is clear and easy to follow and I think it will be welcomed by responsible constructors who realise it provides a road map back to a viable and vibrant construction industry in Scotland.”
