With essential construction work set to continue during the latest lockdown, FIS has helped the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum create a new face mask campaign that urges operatives to make a safe start to 2021.

The unique collective has launched an animation and downloadable infographic to remind workers that it’s vitally important to help protect everyone by following the rules and using the right face covering in the right way.

Headlined Mask for Task: Cover for Covid, the initiative emphasises that workers should wear the appropriate respirator or mask for each task and that a face covering of suitable material should be worn when moving around site.

It also gives specific instructions on how to – and how not to – wear face coverings as well as instructions for taking care of personal protective equipment, such as storing masks in a sealable bag when not in use.

The material was initiated through the FIS H&S Working Group and developed by Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive, in partnership with Rebecca Crosland, Health and Safety Adviser at the Building Engineering Services Association and Chair of the Forum’s Health and Safety sub-group, and Iain Mason, Director of Membership and Communications at SELECT and Chair of the Forum’s Communications sub-group.

Iain McIlwee said: “Since the CICV Forum was established, it has played a key role in creating engaging animations and infographics that have proved effective tools and helped deliver essential messaging to an extremely wide audience.

“The new animation is designed to be shared on social media and the poster can be downloaded free of charge here. Both reinforce the responsibility that everyone in construction shares to make sure that they use the correct face covering for the correct situation, worn in the correct manner.”

Rebecca said: “One of the most direct ways of staying safe is to ensure correct mask use, which this latest infographic and animation promotes. The information is easy to follow and will help operatives protect themselves and their colleagues, customers, friends and family.”

As the industry picks up tools again after the festive break, the Forum is also reiterating its latest guidance on practical measures that workers can follow to protect themselves and their colleagues, customers, friends and family.

Driving home the message that we are In This Together, the Forum is reissuing its suite of guidance that outlines safety during domestic projects, guidance on returning to work safely, the importance of physical distancing outside work and giving contractors space to carry out essential work.

Iain Mason said: “With essential construction work being allowed to continue during lockdown, it is incumbent on everyone working in the sector to ensure that they are operating safely, whatever their capacity.

“That’s why we are also stepping up our full range of social media messaging about travel, social distancing and domestic work to ensure everyone is clear on exactly what behaviours are required at all times.”

Made up of trade associations, private companies and professional bodies, including the FIS, the Forum was set up in March 2020, since when it has drawn on the collective expertise of its members to maintain a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector.

• Watch the animation here and download the infographic here.

 hile the rollout of the Covid vaccine has raised hopes of a return to normality, a difficult winter and spring looms.

GDP in October confirmed slowing activity as month-on-month output growth fell to 0.4%. The imposition of restrictions to avoid the overwhelming of the NHS impacted output. The ONS’ data shows that the majority of bounce-back in activity had occurred by July and the subsequent recovery has disappointed.

The economy is now set to shrink in Q4 as November’s UK-wide lockdown forced a slowdown in activity. The recovery is also set to be weaker than previously expected due to a disruptive Brexit.

November sees marginal increase as contract awards reach £4.9 billion

Residential is the largest sector with 38.9% of awards whilst London is the leading region.

In the three months to October 2020, total construction output increased by 24.9% compared with the previous three month period (May to June 2020) according to the latest data release from ONS. New work saw 23.8% increase, whilst repair and maintenance increased by 26.8%.

New housing was particularly strong with the private sector showing 48.0% increase and public sector new housing up by 33.2%.

Also showing strong growth was the private commercial sector (15.9% increase) with the private industrial sector up by 14.9%. The housing sector was also at the forefront in the repair and maintenance sectors with 51.1% increase for the public sector, with the private housing sector also showing 40% increase on the previous 3 month period. However, annual comparisons show that the quarter to October 2020 is less positive that for the comparable quarter in 2019 with total work down by 9.9%, new work down by 11.8% and repair and maintenance output showing 6.3% decline. In addition, the annual comparison shows that with the exception of infrastructure new work, output for all sectors is between 3.3% and 29.6% lower in the October quarter 2020 than for the October quarter 2019.

 FIS members can access the full report here.

Planned to take place from 27-29 January, the aim is to replicate a physical careers fair, virtually. You can visit a wide range of organisations and get advice and support to manage careers and how to take first steps towards them.

The National Careers Service is inviting organisations to take part, and each organisation will have its own ‘stall’. You can choose what to present and how to engage with the audience. Suggestions include:

• Live Q&As
• ‘Day in the life’ streams
• A virtual or live stream tour of your organisation
• A top tips, Frequently Asked Questions webinar

The event will run over three days:

• Wednesday 27 January – For national organisations with opportunities for people across the country.
• Thursday 28 January – For organisations with a more regional audience.
• Friday 29 January – A virtual jobs fair during which regional teams will promote local vacancies and learning opportunities.

If you would like to get involved, please email national.careersservice@education.gov.uk by midday 18 December.  The National Careers Service will then give you further details and support.  They may need to operate on a first come first served basis, so please register your interest as soon as you can!

To help reduce the transmission of coronavirus on construction sites, Build UK has partnered with Eurofins to offer a comprehensive COVID‐19 testing service. Testing is most effective when undertaken in line with a regular schedule; however, it does not replace the need for social distancing or compliance with the Site Operating Procedures. Eurofins is offering both Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Lateral Flow testing on site at exclusive prices for Build UK members and, to discuss your requirements, please contact Eurofins.

Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021. This final extension to protections from the threat of eviction will give landlords and tenants three months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. Further guidance to support negotiations between landlords and tenants will also be published shortly. A review of commercial landlord and tenant legislation has also been announced, to address concerns that the current framework does not reflect the current economic conditions. More information is available here.

Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’ hours rules: delivery of essential items to retailers

In response to pressures on local and national supply chains, the Department for Transport has introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales.  This temporary relaxation will apply from 12:01am on 10 December 2020 and will run until 11:59pm on 30 December 2020.

Find out about who the relaxation applies to and information on using the relaxation here.

The Timber Trade Federation is advising all timber users and buyers to strengthen their purchasing strategies in dialogue with their suppliers, as a lack of stock on the ground and tight supply conditions are set to continue well into 2021.

The very challenging situation for the timber supply chain in 2020, affected by pandemic-related issues and massive changes in market dynamics, and exacerbated by high levels of global demand for timber and wood products, is setting the scene for continuing tight timber supply conditions certainly into Q2, 2021, if not longer, warns the Timber Trade Federation.

Early in the pandemic many European sawmills were temporarily shut. Lockdowns across the UK and Europe then produced a massive surge in demand for timber for DIY and garden projects, which began to impact supplies through to Britain’s construction sector. Additional high demand for structural timbers, particularly CLS and carcassing, from across Europe and especially from the USA, has also affected the amount of material available in traditionally well-stocked markets such as the British builders’ merchant sector.

With demand continuing at a high level into 2021, there has been no ‘quiet season’ in Britain’s building trade, and thus little opportunity for sawmillers and importers to replenish stocks on the ground here in the UK to their previously-plentiful levels.

COVID-19 is still producing spikes in cases, such as that recently seen in the UK’s largest timber-supplying partner, Sweden, where an increase in cases has resulted in a tightening of operating conditions and delays where vessel crews are required to self-isolate. Import logistics, especially with the end of the Brexit transition period and the new arrangements with the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, may add further pressures on supplies, as the timber sector will need to compete with many other industries in obtaining road haulage capacity within the UK.

To ensure available material is distributed equitably, many Timber Trade Federation members are continuing to operate on customer allocations. Volumes are likely to be available but on much longer lead times than previously. Merchants, manufacturers and building contractors are advised to contact their supplier to discuss future needs, and similarly to become more aware of the factors influencing suppliers’ capacity to meet demand. Companies without a longer-term purchasing strategy will struggle to replenish stocks through just-in-time buying in Q1 and Q2, 2021.

David Hopkins, Chief Executive of the Timber Trade Federation, said: “Pre-COVID, timber buyers were used to their being plentiful landed stocks available to meet immediate demand. Suppliers were also used to having time over traditionally quite periods in the trade to re-build stocks for the following season. This situation has now been turned on its head. It is understandable that many customers should be surprised by, and angry about, the new reality we are facing together. The reported price inflation has also made it difficult for some manufacturers to accurately price projects for customers.

“We would like to reassure the wider sector that volume supplies are available, though on much longer lead times than we have all been used to. This situation will be with us well into 2021 so we advise contacting your suppliers to discuss meeting your needs for the year ahead. The challenge going forward will be to achieve the balanced product mix needed by the market, a factor which may be further complicated by the haulage demands and new customs and plant health procedures engendered by Brexit.”

There are over 5,000 asbestos-related disease deaths each year caused by health conditions including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Whether you’re a tradesperson, building owner, licensed contractor, or a member of the public, it’s vital to recognise asbestos-containing materials and know what to do so you can protect yourself and others.

You can visit the HSE asbestos website to make sure you’ve got the appropriate information, instruction and advice. Ots Asbestos essentials publication can be downloaded for free and covers the actions needed to reduce exposure to an adequate level.

The new Test to Release for International Travel scheme will come into force on 15 December for passengers arriving into England from a destination not on the travel corridor list. Under the scheme, you can choose to pay for a COVID‐19 test from a private provider after five days of self‐isolation, with a negative result meaning you do not need to isolate further.

Business directors bringing ‘significant economic benefit’ to the UK have now been added to the list of jobs that qualify for travel exemptions, meaning they do not need to self‐isolate on arrival in the UK.

In the wake of growing concerns over immigration in 2021 and the impact of tighter rules on the finishes and interiors sector, trade body FIS, supported by Seddons Law LLP, Indigo Group, Lignum Group and Bamboo Project Solutions hosted a webinar explaining how companies should react.

At the FIS AGM (24th November 2020) it was revealed in data provided by economist Dr Noble Francis that EU workers had since 2018 fallen by 40% to Q3 2020, accelerated by a return home linked to COVID this year.  New data from the FIS indicates that 30% of members are already experiencing labour shortages and 62.5% are concerned for what the New Year brings.  FIS has been raising these concerns with Government and continues to lobby for a more phased approach to the new points based system.

The challenge for the finishes and interiors sector:

• The Shortage Occupation List: The common issue for all of construction is the lack of recognition on the Skills Shortage list.
• The Skilled Worker List:  Vital trades across construction are lost in catch-all “other” categories and have been overlooked in the definition of Skilled Worker (e.g. Drylining and Ceiling are included in SOC8149 Construction Workers Not Elsewhere Classified).
• High Reliance on Flexible Workforce:  Contractors in our sector operate in a project lead, phased trade environment and as a consequence of the nature of work and procurement practices relies heavily on contingent workers, this is not well recognised in the new system.

The webinar now freely available online here outlined how the new points based system will operate and how companies should start preparing for initial changes in January, followed by further tightening in June 2021. The event also warned of new company responsibilities and growing concerns about the potential for abuse of the system through modern slavery.

FIS continues to lobby government on these issues and has a meeting, with colleagues from the wider construction sector and the Home Office on the 4th December.  If you haven’t completed our labour market survey before this point, please do so here.

The FIS has set up a dedicated section on immigration in their Brexit Toolkit here.