Guidance for business on protocols following the passing of the Queen
The following guidance has been prepared by the Construction Leadership Council to support the construction sector following the tragic passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
CLC writes to Royal Household to express condolences on behalf of the industry
Following the sad news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death, the CLC has this morning written to His Majesty The King and The Royal Household, to express condolences on behalf of the industry.
A copy of the letter is below, and is also available on the CLC website
The Private Secretary to His Majesty The King
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
09.09.22
I write to you as the Industry Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council to offer condolences on behalf of our sector following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In a lifetime of public service, Her Majesty dedicated herself to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Her selfless commitment to duty was reflected in the admiration in which she was held, both here in the United Kingdom and globally. We know that for millions of people who work in our industry, Her Majesty will have been a central and consistent figure in their lives, a respected monarch whose legacy will inspire future generations.
Today, our thoughts are with the Royal Family and all others affected on this saddest of days.
Yours faithfully,
Mark Reynolds
Co-Chair
Construction Leadership Council
Commemorating the life of our Queen
All at FIS are saddened by the loss of our Queen and join our community and nation in mourning, but also express our gratitude for her unwaivering period of public service. We send our deepest condolences to her family in their time of mourning.
The Government is currently working with the Royal Household on how to commemorate the life of Her Majesty, and further guidance will be available in coming days.
At present businesses across the UK should continue to operate normally but there are some considerations you may wish to make, including:
- providing an opportunity for your staff to offer their condolences, either by providing your own book of condolence or by directing them to the online book of condolence at the Royal website;
- identifying arrangements made by Local Authorities to lay floral or memorial tributes;
- signposting staff on how to donate to one of The Queen’s patronages, with information available on the Royal website;
- identifying whether your business location is likely to be impacted by arrangements made by Local Authorities, or events planned in central London, and planning your response;
- considering any changes you might wish to make to your website and social media activities; and
- where you have flags, lowering them to half mast.
The Royal Household will be the primary source of information on mourning arrangements, and will set out arrangements on Lying-in-State and the State Funeral. Businesses are encouraged to follow updates on www.gov.uk and the Royal Website.
Your Local Authority will also be updating their own websites on local arrangements, including any events they may organise which might impact on the locality of your business or local travel. Members working in London will need to consider carefully the impact on logistics in London in the wake of increased visitors and possible road closures. We are aware that the CLC are in contract with TFL to ensure any major issues are addressed and communictaed.
The Demise of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: National Mourning Guidance
Safe use of diisocyanates
Please consider if you are using, or think you might be using sealants and adhesives that contain diisocyanates (polyurethane based sealants) as you will need to do the following:
- Check the supplier of the products and the packaging and information accompanying all sealants and adhesives for the presence of diisocyanates and other COSHH substances
- Check that the operatives are aware of the risks and have had the appropriate training https://www.basa.uk.com/Home/News/1827
- Ensure that training records are up to date FIS launches digital platform to provide accurate competency record
- Check with the site supervisors that the correct processes are being used and record it in the site diary.
UK REACH legislation requires that operatives are trained prior to the use of diisocyanates.
Inflation guidance
The Managing Price Inflation guidance produced by Build UK has been updated with information on whether a contract can be lawfully terminated if inflation makes it commercial unviable. It outlines the key considerations, including the circumstances giving rise to termination and consequences if that step is taken.
Protecting against insolvency
With insolvency risk beginning to rival inflation as a threat to the industry, Director of KPMG’s Major Projects Advisory Team Joe Manning has outlined how to identify and respond to signs of insolvency in the supply chain. A combination of the following warning signs may indicate that a company on site is in distress:
- A high turnover of staff
- A general decrease in labour
- A slowdown in the progress of the works or the works not achieving project timescales or milestones
- Poor quality workmanship and/or an increase in defects
- Removal of plant, equipment and/or materials
KPMG has published a summary on preserving value under supply chain pressure which includes the measures that can be put in place to protect against insolvency and the steps that should be taken in the event that it occurs.