UK construction ‘can continue if safe’

The UK’s Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) said today it had received government advice that construction in England can continue if it can be done safely and in accordance with Public Health England (PHE) guidance.

CECA said; “If for any reason sites and companies are not able to comply with the PHE guidance, then they must cease activities until they can.”

In its daily briefing note issued on the morning of 25 March, CECA said contractors could use its recently compiled Site Operating Procedures (SOP), which align to the requirements of PHE.

The situation is different in Scotland, where the government has asked for sites to be closed, except for essential projects such as a hospital.

Some contractors and organisations have taken the decision to close sites or limit the number of workers on projects. Sir Robert McAlpine has closed many of its sites and Transport for London has halted work on the Crossrail project. EDF Energy has halved to 2000 the number of workers at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station currently under construction.

CECA added in its statement that NHS London Hospitals have made a request for supplies from industry, covering items including FFP3 masks, full face visors, safety goggles and glasses, hand sanitizer and full body suits. See the link below for information on how to help.

You can read the briefing, which includes many resources for contractors, here.