CLC Site Operating Procedures Version 4 released
The Construction Leadership Council has published an updated Site Operating Procedures ver4, which replaces the Site Operating Procedures ver3, which is now withdrawn.
The SOP has been amended to reflect the technical changes made in the Government’s recently published guidance on safety during coronavirus, which included updated guidance on construction and other outdoor work, as well as guidance for factories plants and warehouses
The new document includes the following changes:
- Updated date and version number
- Updated links and key wording on social distancing to align with latest Government guidance
- All references to Public Health England (PHE) updated to Government at the request of PHE
- Updated Government wording on when to travel to work from the Government’s Recovery Strategy
- Point included on one way systems to align with latest Government guidance
- Updated to include use of portable toilets
- Updated to state that risk assessments should be shared with the workforce to align with latest Government guidance
- Removal of reference to face to face contact being 15 mins or less where possible to align with latest Government guidance
- Updated PPE section to align with the latest Government guidance on PPE and face coverings
CITB checklists and guidance
CITB has produced a range of checklists to help employers implement the Site Operating Procedures in practice:
- CC01: COVID-19 – Site operating procedures compliance checklist: An interactive checklist to protect the workforce on site
- CC02: COVID-19 – Health, safety and environmental risk assessment template: A guide and template on control measures for those undertaking risk assessments of the workplace and specific activities on site
- CC03: COVID-19 – A toolbox talk for construction workers: Designed for managers and supervisors to deliver health and safety information and engage the site workforce in the Site Operating Procedures
- CC04: COVID-19 – Weekly site operating procedures checklist: An interactive checklist to ensure ongoing compliance with procedures
CITB have also released a complete library of 98 interactive checklists and forms from their GE700 Construction Site Safety publication for free download. The comprehensive range of checklists and forms are designed to help with the day-to-day management of construction sites.
HSE to maintain regulatory functions
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a statement on how it will maintain its regulatory functions as businesses return to work. This will include conducting visits to business premises and sites in line with social distancing regulations, as well as targeted proactive inspection work of high-risk industries including construction.
Build UK Materials Survey
Build UK is conducting a Materials Survey assess anticipated demand for products and materials over the next few months in a bid to help keep supply chains open. ASFP members are encouraged complete the survey which closes at 5:00pm today (19 May).
Coronavirus testing
The Government has extended the criteria under which people in England can receive testing for Coronavirus to include anyone over the age of five showing symptoms. This enables construction workers that show symptoms to get tested. Click to apply for testing.
Government issues transport guidance
The Government has issued a range of All the latest guidance for people using transport or working in the transport sector. This includes Guidance for passengers on how to travel safely as well as Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators to help organisations, agencies and others (such as self-employed transport providers) understand how to provide safer workplaces and services for workers and passengers across all modes of private and public transport.
Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme extended
The Treasury announced on 19 May that it has extended the value of loans available to larger businesses via the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) from £50 million to £200 million.
Companies borrowing more than £50 million through CLBILS will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments, senior pay and share buy-backs during the period of the loan, including a ban on dividend payments and cash bonuses, except where they were previously agreed. These restrictions will also apply to Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) participants that wish to borrow money beyond 12 months from 19 May.
Government to offer Trade Credit Insurance support
The Government has announced that it will offer support to businesses with supply chains which rely on Trade Credit Insurance who are experiencing difficulties maintaining cover due to Coronavirus
The Government will temporarily guarantee business-to-business transactions currently supported by Trade Credit Insurance, ensuring the majority of insurance coverage will be maintained across the market. This has been an important issue for manufacturing and construction supply chains. Due to Coronavirus and businesses struggling to pay bills, many have faced having credit insurance withdrawn, or premiums increasing to unaffordable levels.
The Government guarantees will be delivered through a temporary reinsurance agreement, with insurers currently operating in the market and will cover trading by domestic and exporting firms. The agreements with insurers are to be in place by the end of May and will provisionally last until the end of the year.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
Applications opened on 13 May for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant. This allows self-employed individuals or members of partnerships whose business has been adversely affected by coronavirus to apply for a grant worth up to 80% of their average monthly trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500).
Covid-19 case studies
The Construction Industry Coronavirus Task Force has published a new website to showcase the construction industry’s response to Covid-19. Case studies are listed in four categories – building NHS capacity; donating PPE; safeguarding workers; and helping communities. To submit a case study to the site, please e-mail: hustongilmore@ceca.co.uk
WEBINARS
- ASFP will be taking part in the Firex International Digital event on 21 May
- BESA daily webinars
- The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) is running a number of webinars which can be accessed
- Construction Industry Council Low Value Disputes Model Adjudication Procedure (CIC LVD MAP) launch webinar, 1 May
- The Construction Industry Council have collaborated with Langley Waterproofing systems to produce a guidance video on safe operation for small construction sites
- The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has released a video of the Minister responsible for construction, Nadhim Zahawi’s address to the Large Contractors Forum on 22 April 2020
INDUSTRY RESOURCES AND UPDATES
- British Safety Council
- Build UK Daily Updates
- Build UK construction survey results
- Builders Merchants Federation suppliers status
- Builders Merchants Federation merchants status
- Builders Merchants Federation/CLC Branch Operating Guidelines
- CITB COVID-19 Checklists and Guidance
- CLC Site Operating Procedures ver4
- CLC Advice on Employment Schemes
- CLC Plan to sustain the construction industry
- CLC Travel to Work letter
- Construction Response to Covid-19 Website
- RICS/RIBA/RTPI letter
- CIC Post-Lockdown Survey
- Ireland’s Construction Industry Federation Guidelines
- The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is offering a range of free resources on its Coronavirus Hub
- Make UK, the umbrella trade body representing all UK manufacturing is also providing Coronavirus advice for manufacturers.
- TUC guidance on workers’ rights
- Unite Union campaign to keep construction workers safe
- Unite Union health and safety and risk assessment advice
- FIS health and safety advice
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYERS
- Employers & Businesses
- Decontamination in Non-Healthcare Settings
- Public Sector Procurement in Response to COVID-19: Procurement Policy Notice
- Households on Self-Isolation
- Government England OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
- Government England guidance on safety during coronavirus, which includes updated guidance on construction and other outdoor work, and guidance for factories plants and warehouses
- Government guidance for people using transport or working in the transport sector
- How to apply for testing
- PHE Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID‐19) – Construction guidance
- Building Safety Programme guidance on remediation and Covid-19
- Scottish Government construction sector guidance
- Welsh Government guidance on Taking all reasonable measures to maintain physical distancing in the workplace
- The HSE has also released a number of Coronavirus updates including:
- HSE statement on maintaining its regulatory functions
- Coronavirus: A joint statement between HSE, the TUC and the CBI ;
- Social distancing, keeping businesses open and in-work activities during the coronavirus outbreak;
- RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) reporting of COVID-19
- HSE Toolkits
PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT GUIDANCE
- CLC statement on payments and contracts
- CLC guidance on contractual best practice
- CICV Contractual and Commercial Considerations for the Return to Site
- Cabinet Office Policy Procurement Notice (PPN) 02/20
- Cabinet Office construction-specific guidance to PPN 02/20
- Cabinet Office responsible contract behaviour
- CMA guidance outlining temporary measures to relax competition between businesses
- Build UK Guidance on Contractual Issues caused by Coronavirus
GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- Consolidated financial support information
- Corona Virus Bill and Statutory Sick Pay Provision
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, step by step guide for employers, and online calculator
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant
- Bounce Back Loans
- Government Trade Credit Insurance support
- Business Support Finder
- Scottish Government Support for Businesses
- Welsh Government Support for Businesses
ASFP ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES