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Urgent request from TFL to help reduce crowding

by Iain McIlwee | 15 Jan, 2021 | Main News Feed

Updates 18/01/20

Following the communication to, and other engagement with the construction sector on Friday, TfL have now issued a further update on the public transport network in London. Please circulate this to all stakeholders. We would also like to clarify that the previous communication originated with TfL, and not the Secretary of State for Transport.

To aid social distancing for those who do need to travel, TfL continues to run as many services as possible on the public transport network and has an enhanced cleaning regime in place to help keep everyone safe.

However, from 06:00 to 08:00, there are some busy locations at the east end of the TfL network, including on the Jubilee line and at interchanges with national rail, DLR and Overground services.

We would appreciate your help with managing this demand to support social distancing and help ensure the safety of our workforce and others travelling on the network by:

Staggering shifts and/or changing operating hours to help the workforce avoid travelling during the busiest times on the network (06:00 to 08:00). Working with local planning authorities to change site operating hours further if necessary;
Coordinating with neighbouring major sites to stagger operating times or workers’ shift times, to reduce the overall numbers using local public transport stations and services during the busiest times; and
Allocating those shifts starting and finishing around peak travel times (05:45 to 08:15 and 16:00 to 17:30) for workers who can walk or cycle to and from work.

FIS has recieved via BEIS and BuildUK an urgent message from the Secretary of State for Transport and Transport for London.

There is significant pressure on the public transport network in London and the Government is looking at options for reducing the number of passengers at peak times.

If the situation does not improve and construction workers are identified as significantly contributing to overcrowding then more direct action or restrictions could be imposed.

They are urging our members with sites in London to work with their supply chain and neighbouring sites to introduce staggered start and finish times and support workers to avoid travelling during peak times of 05:45 – 08:15 and 16:00 – 17:30 and to walk or cycle as part of their journey.

To access the FIS COVID-19 Hub click here

Site Operating Procedures – Vital updates from England and Scotland

by Clair Mooney | 14 Jan, 2021 | Main News Feed

To support the sector in managing COVID-19 compliance and safety, Site Operating Procedures have been updated in England and Scotland.

Site Operating Procedures in England

The Construction Leadership Council Site Operating Procedures have been updated to reflect the latest Government guidance in England. You can download the updated version here. The changes in Version 7 are minor, including updated guidance on self-isolation and shielding and the removal of the requirement to display a QR code in site canteens.

One area that has caused confusion is advice on Face Coverings and Masks, in England the guidance is:

Face Coverings
In accordance with The Use of Face Coverings in Construction, where workers on site are not required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and their workplace (which may include welfare and changing facilities, site offices or site meeting rooms) meets all of the criteria below, their employer should make face coverings available and they should be worn in:

An enclosed space;

Where social distancing isn’t always possible; and

Where they come into contact with others they do not normally meet.

In line with Government guidance on premises providing hospitality, face coverings must be worn in canteens except when seated at a table to eat or drink.

Build UK has also updated its flowchart on the actions to take if a worker has COVID-19 or needs to self-isolate to reflect the latest Public Health England (PHE) guidance which requires employers to contact PHE if they identify five or more cases within 14 days.

Site Operating Procedures Scotland

Construction Scotland have developed separate Scottish Site Operating Procedures to ensure businesses in Scotland can comply with the requirements of tighter restrictions. This document has not been updated, but an advance addendum no. 1: 11th January 2021 (these documents should be read together). has been added,

This addendum includes new guidance on Face Coverings:

The Construction Scotland Guidance requires all Employers to carry out task specific risk assessments and provide appropriate PPE (including RPE) if any workers are required to carry out operations at less than 2 metre physical distance.

Legislation introduced by the Scottish Government also requires the wearing of face coverings in canteens (unless seated or eating/drinking) and in indoor communal areas such as passageways, stairs, lifts, staff rooms, training rooms, changing rooms or entrances, unless there are measures in place to “keep that person separated from any other person by a partition or a distance of at least 2m”.

The increased risk of infection now being reported, the possibility of accidentally breaching social distancing measures that are not physical, and the risks from aerosol transmission in enclosed spaces occupied for extended periods means it is now appropriate to extend the wearing of face-coverings to anyone:

moving around all indoor and outdoor spaces between task / activity locations.

working together in any internal space which is not well ventilated (either naturally or mechanically) for protracted periods of over an hour.

working together in an internal space which is not well ventilated (either naturally or mechanically) for any period where raised voices or physical exertion is required,,

All regardless of social distancing measures and subject to the exemptions listed in the regulations

Additional supporting information, has been published by the CICV Forum Health and Safety Subcommittee. CICV-SOP-Guidance-Book has been developed to extend this guidance mindful of the best available guidance, nationally and internationally, and serves as a guide for the management of COVID-19 on a construction site for the duration of the pandemic.

Additional guidance

In line with above changes, FIS has revised our FIS H&S Task Assessment Tool. This tool supports analysis of common tasks in the Finishing and Interiors Sector where two metre social distancing is difficult to maintain. This paper presents the suggestions made by an FIS task group of Health and Safety Practitioners, to support safe working.

To download posters and animations that FIS has developed with CICV to support awareness of the importance of wearing Face coverings and Masks

More information via the FIS COVID-19 Hub here.

HSE spot checks and inspections continue during national lockdown

by Clair Mooney | 14 Jan, 2021 | Main News Feed

With the number of coronavirus cases increasing and the national lockdown restrictions now in place, all businesses that continue to operate must ensure their workplace is COVID-secure.

To protect workers, visitors and customers, employers must make sure that everyone is following the measures that have been put in place to manage the risks from coronavirus.

During lockdown, HSE will continue to carry out spot checks and inspections on businesses and will be increasing the number of calls and visits to check COVID-secure measures have been implemented in accordance with government guidance.

During the calls and visits, HSE provides advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers and visitors, but where businesses are not managing this, immediate action will be taken.

Please ensure your workplace is safe by following the guidance on being COVID-secure. Further information on spot checks and inspections is available on our website.

Visit the FIS Covid Hub for the latest information.

COVID updates and guidance

HSE has published a range of coronavirus-related guidance and information, which you may find useful. It includes:

Vulnerable workers – How to protect workers in high-risk groups, clinically extremely vulnerable people and pregnant workers.
First aid – Requirements in non-healthcare settings during the outbreak, as well as first aid cover and qualifications at this time.

RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19 – Guidance on on when you should make a RIDDOR report of COVID-19

For all the latest information and advice visit the HSE coronavirus site.

You can also get advice and find out the national lockdown rules in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Attracting the next generation: Call for Enterprise Advisers

by Clair Mooney | 13 Jan, 2021 | Main News Feed

We are all aware that the children are our future. The Department for Education through the Careers and Enterprise Company are looking for employed people to advise school leavers about the world of work to improve young peoples career prospects.

Help schools and colleges shape futures

Volunteer as an Enterprise Adviser (EA) and partner with a secondary school or college to support them in the development and implementation of their careers strategy, ensuring all students are prepared and inspired for the fast-changing world of work.

Working with the Careers Leader and wider senior leaders of the school or college, EAs help to build connections between employers and education to improve young people’s career prospects. EAs provide valuable employer perspective to the Careers Leaders, as well as supporting the integration of careers in the school or college’s wider curriculum, putting opportunities with local employers at the heart of a young person’s education.

Your individual experience matters, you can become part of the Enterprise Adviser Network, join your colleagues and improve your personal and professional development. Now, more than ever, young people need our support. Click here to find out more.

Tighter lockdown in Scotland: Minimal impact on Finishes and Interiors Sector expected

by Iain McIlwee | 13 Jan, 2021 | Main News Feed

Amidst a tighter lockdown in Scotland, First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has further tightened the rules on entering private homes during lockdown in Scotland, but aside from this construction sites can continue so long as they can operate within the standard operating procedures for Scotland.

Last week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did suggest that construction could be subject to tighter rules and was under review, pointing to the Irish decision to call a halt on construction works, but went on to applaud the industry for efforts made. Whilst tighter restrictions announced today do not go as far as asking construction sites to stop, work in private homes is being restricted (by law) to essential “maintenance, upkeep and functioning”.

Other restrictions being brought in to force include:

Only shops selling essential items – such as clothing, footwear, baby equipment, homeware and books – will be allowed to offer click and collect.
Collections must be outdoors, with appointments staggered to avoid queuing.
Takeaways can no longer allow customers indoors, and must instead operate from a hatch or doorway.
A ban on the consumption of alcohol outdoors in all level four areas – which includes all of mainland Scotland and some islands – meaning takeaway pints will not be allowed.
Reducing the size of groups that can meet outdoors.

It was also announced that statutory guidance will be published for employers to support people working from home.

New rules that will come into force on Saturday, with further detail to be published over the coming days.

For all the latest COVID updates, visit the FIS COVID-19 Hub

Sombre warning from the CLC: Claims and Disputes in Construction

by Iain McIlwee | 13 Jan, 2021 | Main News Feed

As the pandemic continues and a further lockdown in place, there remains a real concern that parties to construction contracts will become embroiled in costly and long-running disputes over the effects of COVID-19 on projects. This is reflected in the latest report from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

The Contractual Practices Working Group of the CLC Business Models Workstream recently conducted a questionnaire and a series of interviews with a range of leading industry professionals in the field of construction claims and disputes and contracting parties in the supply chain. Many respondents represent a significant client base from within the construction supply chain and across many sub-sectors. The aim was to help improve the CLC’s understanding on the impact of COVID-19 on contracts and the possible nature and volume of potential claims and disputes now, and in the future.

Of concern is the increase in the number of claims under construction contracts being rejected because of COVID-19. Initial indications found that whilst parties may be inclined to settle an entitlement to additional time for completion, there is a reluctance to agree financial losses, costs and expenses (which is the greater source of contention).

It is too early to know what will happen with those rejected claims. However, there have been positive early signs of commercial settlement to avoid disputes, but at present lower value disputes were considered easier to pursue, leaving COVID-19 related disputes – being more complicated – to a later date in 2021.

The CLC continues to monitor the situation with respect to the potential for widespread disputes and urges all parties to act fairly and responsibly to preserve the competence, capability and capacity within industry to meet the challenges of 2021.

A snapshot of current thoughts and perceptions is published in the summary note here.

You can access the FIS COVID-19 Toolkit here