The Scaffolding Association has launched two Scaffold Industry Guidance Notes (SIGNS) which address the requirements for scaffolding inspection during COVID-19.
In light of ongoing Coronavirus crisis, the Scaffolding Association has published two documents of guidance for its members and the wider industry. It’s concentrated its advice on scaffold inspections and risk considerations during the current situation.
Stacey Underhill, Head of External Affairs, said: “We have had a large volume of enquiries from contractors and clients asking for clarification on scaffold inspections during COVID-19, particularly where sites are ceasing to operate.
These documents will clarify those requirements and offer up some of the risks that you should be considering when sending people to site to undertake those inspections.”
The newly revised version of the Site Operating Procedures guidance during the coronavirus outbreak has been ripped-up after immediate ‘feedback’ from the construction industry
The new version of the Site Operating Procedures was published yesterday by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) but withdrawn within just a couple of hours.
The edited (version 2) of the procedures for the construction industry stated that where it is not possible or safe for workers to distance themselves from each other by two metres then work should NOT be carried out.
The original (version 1) imposed a less stricter regime stating workers should do their best to observe the two-meter rule, not that they should stop work if cannot.
According to sources, the edited version caused an uproar within construction firms as it would mean all sites would have to close. It also conflicted with the government’s position that construction sites should stay open during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The CLC swiftly wrote on the newly updated version 2 “There has been significant feedback on the updated Site Operating Procedures Version 2. Whilst the feedback is reviewed the CLC has reissued version 1 which is the document the industry should be complying with.”
Build UK this morning said: “Unfortunately, the updated version issued yesterday resulted in more confusion than clarity. Whilst we review the developing PHE guidelines, we can confirm that version 1 of the Standard Operating Procedures remains in place.
We are extremely sorry for any disruption caused; like many of you we are doing our best to keep construction operational whilst protecting the health of our people during these difficult times.”
A list of critical construction projects are being considered by the government after Ministers were warned that a blanket shutdown of sites could lead to a total collapse of the construction industry
According to The Times, the stark warnings were laid out in a paper produced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It warned listed construction giants could see their share prices plummet as investors sell due to panic. It would also see “a significant impact on the entire supply chain resulting in many firms facing financial difficulties within days or weeks.”
It’s been recently revealed that 65 per cent of construction work by value has already been shutdown.
The government is now working on the formal list of critical construction works that should continue if any further restrictions are imposed. The list is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.
Alok Sharman
A BEIS briefing to the government took place yesterday following a letter sent from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) to the Prime Minister and after an open letter to the industry from the Secretary of State Alok Sharman. Within the letter, he said that work on construction sites can continue if adhering to the Site Operating Procedures laid out by the CLC.
Confusion
However, confusion continues to be rife within the scaffolding sector as the NASC has called on the government to provide a clear definition of what qualifies as “essential” construction industry activities as a matter of urgency.
The NASC has referred to the CLC’s Site Operating Procedures document, issued by the Construction which states “non-essential physical work that requires close contact between workers should not be carried out” but believes confusion surrounds what works are deemed essential.
NASC Managing Director Robin James said: “While the Site Operating Procedures document has provided a great deal of assistance for main contractors and subcontractors – including those in the access and scaffolding industry – this crucial recommendation is far too open to interpretation, leading to inconsistencies in approach from site to site.
“It’s time for the Government to provide clarity on this issue; helping to ensure that the appropriate balance is struck between keeping core industry activities in operation whilst also protecting the health and safety of thousands of employees, their families and the population of the UK as a whole.
“Until the Government takes action on this point, we are continuing to call on principal contractors to follow the Site Operating Procedures guidance, paying particular attention to PPE including provision, storage, and establishing single or multi-use, welfare, hand washing and maintaining the 2m social distancing recommendation.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stopped all routine inspections amid safety fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s understood the HSE will continue to respond to serious issues but it has limited contact between individuals to ensure it is following government advice.
It has halted work that cannot be completed from home, aside from essential tasks.
An HSE spokesperson told the Construction News that the organisation “remains committed to responding to any serious issues that arise, in construction or any other sector, and our enforcement priorities have not changed”.“However, in line with government guidance to cease all but essential work that cannot be done outside of the home, minimising contact between individuals, HSE has paused all proactive inspections at this time to reduce any risk posed to our own staff and to members of the public,” he said.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has written an open letter to everyone working within the UK construction industry.
His letter dated 31 March reads as follows:
To everyone working in the UK’s construction sector,In these challenging times, I want to pay tribute to all those who are working tirelessly within the construction industry. Delivering on large or small construction sites across the country, in builders’ merchants and logistics providers, or producing construction and mineral products.Our country and our economy needs all our support. And the construction industry has answered the call to action. Whether by building temporary hospital wards, installing complex and life-saving oxygen systems, constructing the infrastructure that society needs to function or ensuring that people have safe and healthy homes to live in, you are delivering for our Nation through this difficult time. My heartfelt and personal thanks for everything that each and every one of you is doing to support our joint national effort.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.To help ensure that it is safe for you to operate in your workplace, the industry has worked to develop Site Operating Procedures (SOP), which were published by the Construction Leadership Council. These align with the latest guidance from Public Health England. As this health guidance updates, the SOP will reflect any changes.I am in regular contact with industry leaders about the developing situation that faces the sector. And I am fully committed to continuing to engage through the coming days, weeks and beyond.Thank you again to everyone operating in the UK construction sector. You are making a hugely valued and critical contribution to the resilience of our Nation and I salute you for the enormous efforts you are individually undertaking to support the UK economy.Yours sincerely,THE RT HON ALOK SHARMA MPSecretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
CISRS is urging employers and those responsible for site access and card checking procedures to use their discretion towards workers whose cards have expired since 1st February 2020 until the current COVID 19 restrictions are lifted.
Due to the mass closure of CISRS approved Training Providers and the suspension of HS&E tests, scaffolding operatives are currently unable to renew their cards. The scaffolders record scheme has said it is continuing to review the situation rather than set a prescriptive time extension to expired cards. Its hoped they will have more clarity soon regarding when centres can reopen. CISRS stated they expect cardholders to attend the required courses and renew their cards ASAP once training centres reopen. Although its thought a subsequent backlog is expected for workers requiring training and assessments. On this note, CISRS has stressed it is set to implement a realistic timescale to rectify the situation.Until now CISRS has been issuing a letter confirming an individual’s qualifications and asking for them to be allowed to work until they are able to renew their cards. However, to save time and administration effort they now want an industry-wide understanding that recently expired cards can be accepted during this periodBoth CISRS and NOCN administrative staff are working from home allowing service to continue, CISRS cards are being issued and queries responded to, CISRS said.
The charity that supports construction workers and their families are launching a crisis appeal so that they can respond to the needs of the workforce as a result of COVID-19
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of construction workers and their families in the UK and Ireland.In an industry where two workers take their own life every single working day and where stress, depression and anxiety account for a fifth of all work-related illness, we are already seeing a devastating impact on the people that keep our infrastructure going, build our energy plants, our homes and places of work.The charity relies heavily on event income to fund their 24/7 Helpline, but the current COVID-19 pandemic has decimated their national and regional events. So, at a time when the construction community needs their support the most, they simply don’t have the resources to be able to respond in the face of this ever-increasing cry for help.Bill Hill, CEO of the Charity said, “As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic the calls to our Construction Industry Helpline are currently increasing by over 25% a week. Many of the calls received are from self-employed tradesmen, agency staff or workers on zero hour contracts who cope from week to week. They are often only one or two paydays away from poverty. They need our help to feed their families and to pay their bills for heating and lighting.”This is a difficult time for everyone, but the charity hopes that they can count on the industry’s generosity to make sure that none of our construction workers and their families is left alone in a crisis.The charity also pledged that not one penny of the crisis fund will be diverted to charity overheads and that every penny donated will reach the people that really need it.Charity CEO, Bill Hill also urged the industry to help spread the word about their 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline and app, “Whether you’re in a position to donate or not, we are here for you. Our 24/7 helpline and app will enable anyone that needs help to access emergency financial support and mental health and wellbeing information and guidance”. Please get behind your industry’s charity and donate what you can today.DONATE
The eagerly anticipated government support for self-employed has been unveiled by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak.
At a press conference, the government launched the self-employed income support scheme on Thursday 27 March. The new emergency financial measures have been unveiled to support workers who are self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak.
Following on from our previous post Coronavirus – what you’re entitled to and how to claim we have obtained help from the Money Advice Service to give you the low-down on the new scheme.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, you must earn more than half your income from self-employment, have submitted a tax return for 2018/19 and have:
a trading profit of less than £50,000 for 2018/19, or
an average trading profit of less than £50,000 for the tax year 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19.
If you qualify the government will pay you a grant for 80 per cent of your monthly profits, up to £2,500 a month for three months.
You will get a lump sum payment and it is understood these will start at the beginning of June.
Payments will be backdated to the start of March and cover a three-month period to the end of May. The government has said the scheme might be extended.
HMRC will use your average trading profits from 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 to work out the size of your grant.
It is a taxable grant, so you will have to declare it on your Self Assessment tax return and might have to pay income tax and National Insurance on it.
If you made a self-employed income during the 2018/19 tax year, but have not submitted a Self Assessment tax return yet, you have four weeks to submit one.
This scheme is open to sole traders and members of partnerships.
If you pay yourself a salary and dividends through a company, you will not be eligible, but might be helped by the coronavirus job retention scheme if you’re earning through PAYE.
If you’ve become self-employed since April 2019, you will not be eligible.
If you are not eligible for this grant, you will still be able access other government support, including benefits and business support grants.
How can I claim this grant?
You do not need to contact HMRC. HMRC will check eligibility against existing information and will contact you about making an online application. It is unclear when this process will start.
Look out for scams
This scheme is likely to be targeted by scammers claiming to be from HMRC. At the moment it is not clear how or when HMRC will contact you about this. But the Money Advice Service says if you’re self-employed you should have already received an email from HMRC explaining the scheme and telling you there is no reason to contact HMRC about this.
If you are contacted by email, phone or text by someone claiming to be from HMRC at this time offering you the income support grant, tax refund or any other financial help, this is a scam!
The NASC is calling on main contractors to refrain from placing unreasonable pressure on scaffolding contractors to continue working on sites.
The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has said it recognises that the Government’s latest Covid-19 restrictions do not put a stop to construction industry activities but they believe that no contractor should feel obliged through fear of delay penalties or otherwise, to send operatives to sites that they deem unsafe.
The comments were published in a statement on the trade body’s website today (30th March)
It comes after the NASC advised scaffolding contractors to make risk-based assessments of every project they are currently undertaking and take note of the Site Operating Procedures – Protecting Your Workforce document issued by the Construction Leadership Council in conjunction with Build UK.
NASC Managing Director Robin James said: “We have made considerable efforts to speak with scaffolding contractors of all shapes and sizes to better understand the challenges they are currently facing.“Through this engagement it has become apparent that many contractors are being unduly pressurised to continue working on sites. The NASC believes that employee health and safety should be prioritised at all times and that scaffolding contractors that choose to withdraw operatives from site should not be punished for doing so.“Additionally, the NASC repeats its call for Government to provide more detailed advice to the construction industry.”
A number of offshore workers at Bilfinger Salamis have been laid off without the option to use the government’s coronavirus support scheme
According to Energy Voice, the workers have said they have been “hung out to dry” and “abandoned” by their Aberdeen-based employer Bilfinger Salamis. The offshore services firm has terminated workers on fixed-term contracts.
Some onshore staff on probation periods have been handed their notice as well, also without the coronavirus support scheme, reports Energy Voice.
The firm said it had “no other option” but to serve notice to 95 employees on fixed contracts “who were allocated to projects which have been cancelled due to the low oil price”.
According to the report, Bilfinger said it has placed “almost 300 unallocated offshore personnel on furlough”, while nearly 900 remain in work offshore in the UK.
Earlier this month, Bilfinger Salamis UK said it employed a total of 2,500 across North-west Europe.
A spokesperson for Bilfinger Salamis, told ScaffMag:
“Like every business affected by the dual challenges of the declining oil price and coronavirus pandemic, we’re having to make difficult decisions about staffing levels in a rapidly changing environment in which government policies and initiatives are being updated daily.
In this instance, we’d already taken the decision to place almost 300 unallocated offshore personnel on furlough, but had unfortunately felt we had no other option but to serve notice to 95 employees on fixed term contracts who were allocated to projects which have been cancelled due to the low oil price.”
“As a business we understand the difficult position this puts these people in and following further guidance published by the UK Government around its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme late on Thursday, we are now contacting these employees to offer them the furlough scheme where it is possible to do so.”
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