The following is an abbreviated version of the Site Operating Procedures ‐ Version 3 which has now been published by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC). The procedures incorporate the Public Health England (PHE) guidance on social distance and are supported by Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

The key changes include:

• Confirmation of HSE as the enforcing authority for PHE guidelines
• The need for sites to monitor the implementation of the procedures
• Details on who should not travel to work
• Guidance for shared transport
• Implementing hierarchy controls where 2m social distancing cannot be achieved
• Information on first aid and emergency service response.

Introduction

Construction sites operating during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic need to ensure they are protecting their workforce and minimising the risk of spread of infection. This includes considering how personnel travel to and from site.

“where it is not possible to follow the social distancing guidelines in full in relation to a particular activity, you should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the site to continue to operate, and, if so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission”.

The health and safety requirements of any construction activity must not be compromised at this time. If an activity cannot be undertaken safely, it should not take place. If a site is not consistently implementing the measures set out by PHE, it may be subject to enforcement action.

Emergency services are also under great pressure and may not be able to respond as quickly as usual. This should be taken into consideration in the planning of work activities, first aid, fire and emergency responses.

The site procedures provide full details on:

• Travel to Work
• Driving at Work
• Site Access and Egress Points
• Hand Washing
• Toilet Facilities
• Work Planning to Avoid Close Working
• First Aid
• Cleaning

The specific Hierarchy of Controls provides details on what should be implemented to reduce the risk of transmission where social distancing of 2 metres cannot be achieved: Hierarchy of Control.

Please continue to contact us with queries and issues. Take care and keep well.