Update on our site operations (27 March)
Update on our site operations – 27 MARCH 2020
The health and safety of everyone involved in what we do has always been our number one priority.
The Government has advised that construction and housebuilding sites should remain open, as part of the national effort to sustain the economy during this crisis.
With support from our industry, the Government has developed new site operating procedures to allow work to continue safely and in a way that observes social distancing guidelines.The health and safety of everyone involved in what we do has always been our number one priority.
The Government has advised that construction and housebuilding sites should remain open, as part of the national effort to sustain the economy during this crisis. With support from our industry, the Government has developed new site operating procedures to allow work to continue safely and in a way that observes social distancing guidelines.
To allow us to identify those projects on which we could implement the site operating procedures fully, we paused all our construction, engineering, fit-out, housebuilding and planned maintenance projects for 48 hours. Those projects where we have been able to re-plan our activities, so we comply with the site operating procedures in full will reopen today (Friday 27 March) or on Monday (30 March). All other sites and projects will remain closed.
On those projects that are reopening, we will be reducing significantly the number of people on site to enable us to comply with social distancing guidelines, reducing productivity.
We recognise the challenge individuals will face in traveling to work safely, particularly in central London and believe the Tube should, for now, be reserved for the use of key workers. Accordingly, where our staff and supply chain staff have no other means to getting to work, we will meet their costs of getting to work (for example, by refunding car parking costs).
We welcome yesterdays industry statement from Build UK, which reflects our own position, particularly in relation to the importance of continuing certain construction and maintenance activities as well as being able to undertake repairs, maintenance and emergency work in people’s homes.
We would like to thank all our colleagues and our suppliers for their continuing commitment and dedication. These are difficult times, but we are determined to look after the health and safety of everyone involved in what we do and in line with government guidance – to play our part in the national effort to sustain the economy at this time of crisis.
