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Mask-wearing urged for construction sites despite ‘freedom day’
Construction sites have been urged to keep in place a number of safety precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 despite the lapse in official restrictions.
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published updated guidance now that government restrictions have officially ended as of today, stating that mask-wearing and other safety measures should remain in place for construction firms and house builders.
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It said: “The site and branch-operating procedures have always reflected the latest government guidance. Whilst COVID-19 remains widespread across the UK – and will need to be managed for some time to come – the lifting of the remaining legal restrictions, including social-distancing requirements, from 19 July means the CLC guidance will no longer be current.
“Whilst it would be inappropriate for the CLC to seek to impose on the industry any requirements over and above those set out by the government, we recognise that businesses across the supply chain have welcomed the consistency that the CLC guidance has provided.”
Construction sites, including those operated by house builders, were given a range of COVID-19 related guidance early in the pandemic to ensure workers could continue to work while minimising the spread of the virus.
The site operating procedures were drawn up by the CLC in collaboration with other UK building trade bodies to reassure the government that construction sites could safely operate during the first UK-wide lockdown.
Since the first set of guidance was published it has been updated to reflect ongoing government and scientific advice.
The CLC said the procedures had helped construction firms “adopt some good practices over the last 18 months, including more organised sites, enhanced welfare facilities, increased ventilation and improved communication with the workforce”, all of which it recommended are retained.
