{"id":75203,"date":"2020-04-23T08:29:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T07:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=75203"},"modified":"2020-04-23T08:29:14","modified_gmt":"2020-04-23T07:29:14","slug":"construction-site-operating-procedures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/planning-construction-news\/construction-site-operating-procedures\/75203\/","title":{"rendered":"Unite calls for stricter site operating procedures to protect workers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK\u2019s construction union, Unite<\/a>, has warned that the latest construction site guidance is \u2018unsafe\u2019 and \u2018places construction workers at unnecessary risk\u2019<\/h2>\n

Unite has advised the government that the latest site operating procedures<\/a> guidance on how construction sites should operate during Covid-19 is \u2018watered down\u2019 and threatens construction workers health.<\/p>\n

The latest of the site operating procedures (version three) published by the Construction Leadership Council<\/a> (CLC), is noticeably weaker than previous versions, says Unite.<\/p>\n

It has been issued to coincide with a return to work at a large number of construction sites this week, particularly in the London area.<\/p>\n

Reduction in socially distancing requirements<\/h3>\n

The construction union says it is primarily concerned about the fundamental reduction in the requirement for workers to socially distance at work.<\/p>\n

The guidance now states that where workers are required to work within two metres of each other they should:\u00a0\u201cwork side by side, or facing away from each other, rather than face to face\u201d.<\/p>\n

When this is not possible and workers have to work\u00a0\u201cface to face\u201d\u00a0within two metres of each other workers should: \u201cKeep this to 15 minutes or less where possible\u201d.<\/p>\n

The CLC has said that the renewed guidance is based on advice they have received from Public Health England.<\/p>\n

Unite has written to Alok Sharma<\/a>, the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS), stating in clear terms that the new watered-down guidance is endangering the lives of construction workers, their families and the general public.<\/p>\n

The letter says:\u00a0\u201cWe would go as far as to say it undermines the safety of workers on construction sites and may even become a contributory factor to the spread of Covid-19 in our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Construction worker hotline<\/h3>\n

Due to the growing concerns that construction workers are needlessly being exposed to dangerous situations in the workplace, Unite has launched a hotline so that workers can report concerns and provide evidence of unsafe working practices. This can be on an anonymous basis.<\/p>\n