Unite, the UK’s construction union, has launched an alternative comprehensive construction guide to help ensure the safety of construction workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The union who were unhappy with the current official Site Operating Procedures (SOP) published by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has launched its own detailed guide.
The 30-paged document is far more comprehensive and stringent than the official SOP according to Unite.
The Union has regularly criticised the current guidance for failing to make the wearing of masks compulsory when social distancing cannot be maintained and which allows workers to work face to face for 15 minutes at any one time.
As well as issues such as social distancing on sites, Unite’s guide highlights the importance of ventilation and gives advice on face coverings, it also covers travel to and from site and guidance on how the Covid-19 pandemic can have an impact on workers’ mental health.
Unite national officer Jerry Swain said: “The new construction Covid guide is an invaluable tool to protect workers on sites. The guide provides easy to follow and vital information that workers need to stay safe on site. Unlike other guides, Unite’s guide is solely focused on workers safety.
“It is essential that Unite construction activists use the guide to ensure that every organised workplace is Covid-secure as is humanly possible.”
Unite national officer Ian Woodland said: “With cases of Covid-19 surging and with a vaccination still many months off for most workers, it is imperative that there is not only no let-up on-site safety but further measures are taken to prevent the virus being transmitted.
“Unite activists are on the frontline in keeping fellow workers and themselves safe from when they leave home until when they return home at night.”
