Covid-19: CITB chief exec update – 12 May 2020

Good afternoon

I hope you’re having a productive week. Today’s COVID-19 industry update focuses on safely returning to work and includes news of a comprehensive range of COVID-19 site safety checklists and forms produced in collaboration with the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) with additional input from the CITB Wales Nation Council.

I’d like to begin by thanking everyone who has provided feedback on these twice-weekly industry updates. There’s still time for you to let me know what works for you and the content you’d like to see in these emails. Please click here to complete a brief survey.

COVID-19 site safety checklists and forms

During the pandemic it is essential that the workforce is protected to minimise the risk of infection on construction sites.

We have worked hard with CLC and others to produce a comprehensive range of checklists and forms that will be available to download on Thursday. We are trying to help employers by providing this information. It will ensure that those who are permitted and able to return to work have a clear understanding of how they can apply the CLC’s COVID-19 Site operating procedures guidance (Version 3) in practice. Guidance on issues such as close working, cleaning and what employees should do if they become unwell will be included.

The checklist and forms will have four parts:

CC01: COVID-19 – Site operating procedures compliance checklist: An interactive checklist to ensure compliance with current guidance on protecting your workforce on site during the COVID-19 pandemic

CC02: COVID-19 – Health, safety and environmental risk assessment template: A guide offering example control measures for those required to undertake risk assessment of the workplace and specific activities on site. An interactive risk assessment template is also included in order to facilitate this process.

CC03: COVID-19 – A toolbox talk for construction workers: Designed to be delivered to construction workers by their manager or supervisor. Good communication is essential for health and safety management on construction sites. It is vitally important that contractors, managers and supervisors engage and consult with workers, as it is an effective way of identifying hazards and controlling risks.

CC04: COVID-19 – Weekly site operating procedures checklist: An interactive checklist, designed to ensure ongoing compliance with both established and additional procedures.

On Monday the UK Government published Working safely during COVID-19 in construction and other outdoor work, a document to help employers, employees and the self-employed in the UK understand how to work safely during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The guidance emphasises the importance of keeping as many people as possible two metres apart from those they do not live with. You can download it here.

Safely returning to work

Health and safety is CITB’s top priority, for both customers and staff. When lockdown first began, CITB set up an email to advise and support apprentices and their employers – this is still available. If you have queries about safely returning to work in light of recent announcements by the Scottish, Welsh and UK Government please email: apprenticeships.covid19@citb.co.uk.

CITB’s COVID-19 Urgent Messages page is refreshed daily and includes updates on the full range of our support for industry.

You can read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government.

Until my next update best wishes to you, your colleagues and families.

Stay safe and well.

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive