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The clear effects of COVID-19 for construction in Q2

by | 18 Aug, 2020 | Main News Feed

The latest Constuction Trade Survey which captures the second quarter of 2020 reveals the extent to which the construction supply chain was affected by public health measures as a result of the nationwide lockdown in response to COVID-19.

Construction was permitted to continue during lockdown in England, but was restricted to coronavirus-related work and essential repairs or maintenance only in Scotland, which accounts for around 8% of construction output in Great Britain. However, widespread pauses in site activity were reported across the UK, particularly in house building and commercial. Not surprisingly, sales of construction products and materials, contractor workloads and surveyor workloads all experienced one of their worst contractions in history in Q2.

FIS members can access the CPA report here.

Additional Market Data is available in our Membership Hub.

HSE publish new guidance: RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19

HSE publish new guidance: RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19

by | 18 Aug, 2020 | Main News Feed

There is no requirement under RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) to report incidents of disease or deaths of members of the public, patients, care home residents or service users from COVID-19.The reporting requirements relating to cases of, or deaths from, COVID-19 under RIDDOR apply only to occupational exposure, that is, as a result of a person’s work.

What to report

You should only make a report under RIDDOR when one of the following circumstances applies:

Dangerous occurrences

Dangerous occurrences are certain unintended, specified events, which may not result in a reportable injury, but which do have the potential to cause significant harm.

For an incident to be reportable as a dangerous occurrence, the incident must have resulted (or could have resulted) in the release or escape of coronavirus, that is, led to a possible or actual exposure to coronavirus.

The assessment does not require any complex analysis, measurement or test, but rather for a reasonable judgement to be made as to whether the circumstances gave rise to a real risk or had the potential to cause significant harm.

Find out more about what the law says including some examples of what is not and what is reportable as a dangerous occurrence.

Cases of disease: exposure to a biological agent

When deciding if a report is required, the responsible person (usually the employer) must make a judgement, based on the information available, as to whether or not a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 is likely to have been caused by an occupational exposure, that is, whether or not there is reasonable evidence that a work-related exposure is the likely cause of the disease.

The report should specify a disease due to exposure to a biological agent and use the case of disease report form.

Get more information on what constitutes a diagnosis and more guidance on making a judgement and reasonable evidence.

Work-related deaths due to exposure to a biological agent

For an incident to be reportable as a death due to occupational exposure to coronavirus there must be reasonable evidence that a work-related exposure caused the worker’s death.

The responsible person should notify the enforcing authority by the quickest practicable means, without delay, and send a report within 10 days. The report should specify death due to exposure to a biological agent using the “case of disease” report form.

More on work-related deaths from coronavirus: What the law says and information on making a judgement using reasonable evidence.

Make a RIDDOR report online

You can access the FIS COVID H&S Toolkit here

CLC Schools Initial Scoping Workshop Report Published

CLC Schools Initial Scoping Workshop Report Published

by | 18 Aug, 2020 | Main News Feed

Education represents the second largest element of public service spending in the UK behind Health – equivalent to around 4.3 per cent of national income. However, despite this level of commitment, the UK continues to face significant challenges when it comes to ensuring there are sufficient school places to meet growing demand.

According to ‘The School Places Challenge 2019’ published by Scape Group, despite efforts to increase school building over recent years, local authorities continue to face an uphill battle – with the number of children needing a school place in England expected to rise by 385,031 by 2021/22, and Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales expecting to require an additional 33,179 pupils between them by 2020/21.

In a post Covid-19 financial landscape the need to deliver high quality buildings with improved levels of efficiency will never be greater – and represents an opportunity to turn this challenge into a positive catalyst for change.

The Construction Leadership Council has identified that innovation and smart construction has the potential to transform the productivity of the construction sector, address its capacity issues and improve the quality and performance of the buildings we produce.

We have already seen positive progress by the Innovation in Buildings workstream to drive the adoption of smart construction within a Residential context and are now pleased to extend this thinking across another sector.

Working with the Department for Education and a number of key industry, academic and government representatives we have commenced the development of a collaborative plan of action to deliver a real increase in smart construction across Educational building delivery.

The findings of our initial launch workshop are published below, and we look forward to sharing our ongoing progress with you throughout 2020 and beyond.

Read the Initial Scoping Workshop Report here.

Local Authority Amendments To The Standard Building Contracts Used In Scotland

Local Authority Amendments To The Standard Building Contracts Used In Scotland

by | 18 Aug, 2020 | Main News Feed

In a letter supported by FIS issued to Kevin Steward MSP, Minister for Local Government Housing and Planning, the Chair of the CICV Forum draws attention to the unwelcome practice of amendments to Building Contracts in both the public and private sector and the devastating impact this can have on the construction sector as risk is forced through the supply chain.  The letter alerts the Minister to one instance where a contract from a Local Authority was presented with a total of 67 pages of amendments.

The letter also spotlights specific instances where entitlement have been removed and contractors are being forced to take all the financial impact of COVID related events.

In support of the letter, FIS CEO Iain McIlwee stated: “Once again we see the industry working together lead by the CICV.  It is so disappointing to see some of these underhand tactics being used to exploit the industry’s need to find work and ramp things back up again – Alan makes some excellent points in his letter and I hope the Scottish Government will step up and take on board the suggestions contained.  With the extended lock down Scottish Businesses have had a particularly difficult time, but these issues are not confined to Scotland and companies across the UK need to be very careful about what they sign up to in these uncertain times.”

The full letter can be read here.

Note that the Construction Leadership Council continue to gather information about the nature and extent of commercial issues within the industry – the deadline for the survey (which can be completed here) is Friday 21st August.  FIS is encouraging all members to complete where they have concerns to raise specific issues as they arise with FIS.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme claim service is now open

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme claim service is now open

by | 18 Aug, 2020 | Main News Feed

If Labour Only Sub Contractors are eligible for the second and final Income Support Scheme grant, and have been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020, you can make a claim on or before 19 October 2020. You can claim for the second grant even if you did not make a claim for the first grant. If you have different circumstances it can affect your eligibility. If you’re self-employed or member of a partnership, find out how your circumstances can affect your eligibility for the scheme.

Please see here to understand how HMRC works out trading and non-trading income for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.

New Guidance from BSI on Safe Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic

New Guidance from BSI on Safe Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic

by | 14 Aug, 2020 | Main News Feed

A new version of the ‘Safe Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic Guidelines’ is now available.

Version 2 of the Guidelines offers a comprehensive, practical approach, applicable to all organizations, large and small.

The Guidelines provide recommendations, based on user experience and expert input, for safe working during the pandemic. They have been enhanced and extended, based on the best and latest information, to help prevent a second wave.

Major new clauses added are:

  • Working from home
  • Managing suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19
  • Multiple or mobile workplaces
  • Safe use of toilets
  • Reporting to external parties
  • Inclusivity and accessibility
  • Psychological health and well-being.

The information and recommendations within the Guidelines can be used by any organisation managing the risks related to COVID-19, regardless of size, type or location.

Version 2 is now available to download.

Download the document >

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