*UPDATE* The UK Government has updated its site operating procedures, along with issuing the following on its website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/remediation-and-covid-19-building-safety-update-27-march-2020 which applies to air tightness testers.
Construction sites have not been asked to close, so work can continue if it is done safely.
Employers should ensure their workers on-site are able to follow the public health guidance, and they should consider responsible arrangements for ensuring their workers can travel in line with this advice, such as through staggering site hours to reduce public transport use during peak periods. We will keep these arrangements under constant review and take any steps required.
It is, therefore, possible for construction work to continue in the current context. Those responsible for commissioning building safety work, such as the remediation of high-rise buildings with unsafe ACM cladding, and the construction companies undertaking the work, should consider how best to proceed and/or mitigate the risks arising from such work being paused.
To assist the industry the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) have provided further guidance on site operating procedures and how construction sites should operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A letter from the Secretary of State, has been released making it clear that, though the Government wants us to work from home where possible, it’s ok if you have to travel to site for work.
The Government has advised that wherever possible, people should work at home. However, we know that for many people working in construction their job requires them to travel to their place of work, and they can continue to do so. This is consistent with the Chief Medical Officer’s advice.
The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, SoS for BEIS.
The letter can be downloaded in full here: Read the letter from the Secretary of State regarding construction
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