Keep two metres apart and you can carry on building

Grant Prior 5 years ago
Share

The government’s current official line is that construction sites can keep working if operatives are able to stick to social distancing rules.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave the latest update during yesterday’s government briefing on the coronavirus crisis.

He said construction workers could and should continue to go to work as long as they are able to remain two metres apart at all times.

Hancock said people whose jobs has not already been shut down by the government measures to date should continue to work but should only be travelling to a workplace “where that work can’t be done at home”.

He added: “The judgment we have made is that in work, in many instances, the 2m rule can be applied.”

The response came as some contractors and developers started to shut down sites across the country. and work has been stopped in Scotland.

The dilemma is particularly acute in London where many construction workers are forced to use limited tube services which are often overcrowded.

Hancock sparked a row with London Mayor Sadiq Khan by demanding that more trains are kept running to allow social distancing measures during travel.

Construction union Unite is warning that social distancing has “collapsed” on construction sites following pictures on crowded jobs .

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: “There is an immediate public health emergency on construction sites, due to a lack of social distancing.

“The government must announce they will take urgent action to ensure that construction sites will be safe and if not that displaced workers will have their jobs and income protected irrespective of being directly employed or self-employed

“Contractors also have a moral duty to ensure that all the workers on their sites are safe and financially protected.

“No worker should have to make a life or death decision arising from government or contractor negligence.”

Hinkley Point C cuts workforce in half to continue work with social distancing

Bosses at the giant Hinkley Point C site are cutting the workforce by more than half to around 2,000 in the coming days to allow work to continue on the job.

Client EDF said: “The project will preserve the UK’s specialist nuclear supply chain and its skilled workers by focusing on critical work on nuclear parts of the project.  Keeping this capability intact is essential for a project of critical national importance.

“We will work in a focused and limited way with split shifts, extra buses and staggered breaks. Reduced numbers will allow easier social distancing in operational areas and sites such as canteens.

“Steps already in place include: shutting our Bristol head office,  working from home for those that can, temperature checks on people entering the site, extra cleaning, changes in movement patterns, closure of bars and gyms.

“We are aware that many people and families in the locality depend on us and we will work with them to mitigate the impact of our reduced activity. We will consider how our resources can be used to help the community in the current crisis.

“We will continue to work with the trade unions and our supply chain to keep people safe and help them deal with the developing situation.”

Latest news

Construction firms blast “true cost of Budget”

Firms fear tax hikes will lead to reduced hours and job cuts for staff
21 hours ago

Steel bridge specialist sold to staff

Nusteel Structures Group becomes industry's latest Employee Owned Trust
21 hours ago

Ex-Lendlease chief to lead Euston housing regeneration

Bek Seeley to head Euston Housing Delivery Group
21 hours ago

Ardmore lands Kensington hotel revamp

Contractor to transform former Kensington Holiday Inn
21 hours ago

RED wins £35m brace of projects in Bristol

Works include student halls and major facade fire safety remediation
22 hours ago

Wates starts £300m Gartree super prison job

Early works start on 1,700-prison place job next to existing prison
2 days ago

Five road schemes worth £1.3bn axed

Still no decision on £1.5bn A66 upgrade or £9bn Lower Thames Crossing
2 days ago

Budget: Chancellor to fund HS2 tunnels to Euston

Schools and hospitals get extra £1.85bn cash injection to tackle work backlog
3 days ago

Skills card changes will mean fewer labourers

CSCS wants to cut the numbers with 500,000 labourer cards currently in circulation
2 days ago

Wates hires former ISG fit-out chief to lead new team

Lee Phillips to head up new London office fit-out arm
3 days ago

Major London offices to student rooms scheme approved

65 Fleet Street office block to be converted to 850-student rooms
2 days ago

M Group Services buys MEICA contractor BGEN

Warrington-based engineering contractor employs 1500 staff
2 days ago

VINCI Construction swoops for FM Conway

Conway family sells £580m turnover Kent-based highways contractor
3 days ago

United Living bolts on property upkeep firm Pilon

Deal to buy £40m turnover social housing property services contractor
3 days ago

Sheffield facade specialist bought by Swedish firm

Building envelope giant Fasadgruppen makes first UK acquisition
3 days ago

Nexus buys Coleman Construction & Utilities for £5.4m

Nexus moves into civils with acquisition of East Sussex contractor
3 days ago

Councils get £68m to clear brownfield sites

Site renovation work will clear way for 5,200 new homes
3 days ago

Private investor buys Midlands contractor MCS

Deal values £100m revenue building contractor at £22m
3 days ago

Willmott Dixon to build Oxford net zero council HQ

Work to start next year on net zero office upgrade as Old County Hall sold off
3 days ago

Phoenix subbies get pay less notices after ISG failure

Building services specialist tells suppliers they won't be getting paid
4 days ago

Midgard confirmed on £60m Golden Lane office contract

Main works will create 120,000 sq ft of prime office space on historic site
4 days ago

Van Elle buys Scottish specialist Albion Drilling for £3.5m

Acquisition builds capability in Scotland's booming energy sector
4 days ago

French PM and cost consultant Artelia buys Pick Everard

Artelia UK operations swell to nearly 1000 staff after bolting on UK consultant
4 days ago

Go-ahead for West London 58-storey resi skyscraper

North Acton scheme at Old Oak Common to form gateway to emerging cluster
5 days ago

Plans in for £200m Trafford Wharf scheme

Mid-rise tower scheme of over 850 build to rent and student homes
5 days ago

ISG Fit Out arm went down owing subbies £111m

Latest slew of debts brings initial supply chain hit to nearly £300m
5 days ago

Construction to grow 2.5% next year

Industry output expected to rebound after 2.9% fall this year
5 days ago

Chancellor finds over £1bn for new schools and social homes

Budget extra cash to get school builds back on track and boost affordable homes
5 days ago

ISG collapse brings down lighting specialist

30 jobs go as Cheltenham-based Seventynine Lighting Ltd ceases trading
1 week ago

Kier lands £100m naval helicopter base rebuild

Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to get big upgrade
5 days ago

Contractor services