G-Deck Waives Hire Fees While Sites Lie Dormant

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G-Deck Waives Hire Fees While Sites Lie Dormant

Load deck systems firm, G-Deck, has pledged to freeze all hire fees for its customers until the COVID-19 crisis is over and construction sites are live again.

The Leicester based company joined the list of others that has made the bold promise in response to concerns that continuing costs and the long-term financial impact of programme delays could hit construction hard.

The move will allow construction firms and subcontractors to free up cash flow to keep employees on the payroll and ease the burden of other outgoings.

Ty Wilson from G-Deck explained: “Our customers have enough to worry about at the moment without having to find the funds to pay for hired equipment that they can’t even use while sites are mothballed. Our philosophy is that helping our customers in this way now contributes to a healthier construction delivery chain for everyone in the longer term, and we want to be part of a robust recovery for the sector when the pandemic is over.”

The firm said they have been able to offer its customers a rent-free period for the load deck systems it has out on hire thanks to a full order book and anticipated high volumes of activity later in the year.

They have also said, it’s still able to service any construction sites remaining open during the pandemic, with a 24-hour turnaround on any new hire requirements.  It is also continuing to respond to sales enquiries for its products, with large UK stockholding and continuing supply from its manufacturing plant in Poland, which it says remains open.

“We have closed the office and the manufacturing plant here in the UK,” Ty continues, “Because we want to keep our staff, installers and customers safe. However, we’re committed to helping our customers, whether that’s by responding to new orders or waiving fees on equipment installed on sites that are currently dormant, so both our phone line and email address remain active.

“The biggest challenge for all companies at the moment is to decide on the right way to act responsibly. We believe we’ve made the right choices for our customers, our team and our business.”

Scotland Stops All Non-essential Construction

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Scotland Stops All Non-essential Construction

The Scottish government has ordered all work on construction sites to stop unless its for essential projects.

The news comes after the Scottish government published new guidance for the construction industry yesterday. The document has made it clear that work on construction projects should cease unless it is supporting crucial work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Projects that are deemed essential can only continue operating if it can comply with the social distancing rules during the COVID-19 outbreak. Any site unable to meet those requirements should close, the guidance says.

Essential projects include:

  • those to create or repurpose facilities which will be used directly in COVID-19 related activities
  • projects to create or repurpose facilities which will be used to accommodate key workers, or free up space in facilities to be used directly in COVID-19 related activities
  • projects which are considered essential public services
  • the repair and maintenance of critical infrastructure

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for businesses of all kinds, but the Scottish Government’s priority is saving lives and fighting COVID-19.

“To this end, all construction sites should close unless they are essential to the health and welfare of the country during this crisis. I want to make clear our thanks to the construction workers who are continuing to work on these essential projects.

“This guidance offers clear and comprehensive advice on how the industry should respond in these unprecedented and difficult times. I am grateful to the STUC, Unite the Union and Construction Scotland for their input.

“In this public health emergency it is vital that all businesses act responsibly and align fully with the social distancing measures introduced to protect the nation’s heath, well-being and economic future.”

HSE Warns it will Take Action on Social Distancing Failures

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HSE Warns it will Take Action on Social Distancing Failures

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has stressed it could shut construction sites down if social distancing rules are not followed.

However, how they plan to do this is unclear, as its thought HSE inspectors are at home self-isolating after the government agency suspended all routine inspections last week.

In a joint statement between the HSE, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) the HSE said: Social distancing is a key public health measure introduced by Public Health England to reduce the spread of infection. Most employers are going to great lengths to ensure social distancing wherever possible. The HSE, CBI and TUC wish to publicly support these efforts. Firms that can safely stay open and support livelihoods should not be forced to close by misunderstandings about government guidance.”

The HSE goes on to warn within the statement that if issues are brought to their attention on employers not complying to Public Health England guidance on social distancing where practical, it will consider a range of actions. Actions will include providing advice to employers, issuing enforcement notices and prohibition notices, it said.

The statement also encourages workers to raise any concerns on working conditions first with their employer or trade union. If issues can’t be resolved locally, workers can approach their local authority or HSE directly for help here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm

Read the full statement here

Scaffolding Trade Body Issues COVID-19 Industry Guidance Notes

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Scaffolding Trade Body Issues COVID-19 Industry Guidance Notes

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 documents are free to download from the Scaffolding Association website: https://scaffolding-association.org/covid-19-advice/

Latest Coronavirus Site Operating Procedures Withdrawn

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Latest Coronavirus Site Operating Procedures Withdrawn

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 Crisis Within a Crisis

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A Crisis Within a Crisis

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.”

HSE suspends routine inspections

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HSE suspends routine inspections

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.

Secretary of State writes open letter to the construction industry

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Secretary of State writes open letter to the construction industry

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 MP Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

CISRS calls for leniency on recently expired cards

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CISRS calls for leniency on recently expired cards

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 period Both CISRS and NOCN administrative staff are working from home allowing service to continue, CISRS cards are being issued and queries responded to, CISRS said.

Charity Launches Industry Workers Family Crisis Appeal

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Charity Launches Industry Workers Family Crisis Appeal

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
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