A Northern construction firm is urging others across the industry to adopt its HSE-approved 'Safe Operating Model' to enable sites to remain open during the Covid-19 outbreak.
RED Systems has worked with a consortium of clients from across the industry along with health and safety experts to develop the guide to protect operatives and keep the industry buoyant, encouraging safe working practices in line with government rules on social distancing.
The company's boss claims his team and sub-contractors have experienced "high levels of abuse" for attending sites during the lockdown - even though construction firms have been told to remain open.
The Cheshire firm specialises in the installation of commercial glass facades for large construction companies across the 海角视频, and its founder and MD Michael Green said the system aims to safely overcome social distancing constraints which are "inherent" in the industry, to comply with government ‘go to work’ advice and help kick start a return to active sites.
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Mr Green said: "We know this is a very contentious issue in the industry right now from the labourer on site to the boardrooms of huge construction firms.
"The public are being faced with a raft of mixed messages and although the revised government guidelines are very clearly asking the industry to keep working and help support the economy, most sites have closed because of fears surrounding social distancing and negative feedback from the public.
"The industry is in paralysis and we can only continue if we innovate and harness our health and safety expertise to adapt our working practices."
The guidelines include inductions for daily site briefings, also utilising a planned safe system of work, providing the correct PPE and training operatives.
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RED, which has offices in both Neston and London, is working on 12 major projects across the 海角视频 including the ongoing LJMU project at Tithebarn Street for Willmott Dixon.
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Mr Green and his team said they are hoping their model will be adopted across the construction industry and beyond through to the supply chain which is also in paralysis.
He said: "We just want to get this guidance out there. We have already consulted with a number of our major clients who have welcomed the initiative and are already implementing their own versions of the guidance."
Mr Green said that they are still actively looking for input from experts and firms from across the construction world and will continue to fine tune the model as the situation continues to develop.
He added: "We think we have laid some important foundations but would really value any input colleagues can offer. We don’t think it’s an ‘answer all’ and we will be continually updating and adapting the guidance in line with government guidance and with knowledge from across the industry. We would actively encourage any colleagues who feel they can add value and expertise to the initiative to contact us via our website."
Mr Green said his "highly detailed" operating guide could be used outside the industry by firms specialising in the manufacture of materials for the supply-chain.
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He said: "The constraints we face in light of Covid-19 simply must be overcome if the industry is to continue to contribute to the economy. We are also concerned that if we can mobilise the construction industry to get ‘back to business’ we are in danger of running out of key materials with much of the supply-chain on shutdown.
"Sites are already experiencing significant delays as materials are not being manufactured or delivered in response to ‘stay at home’ and social distancing measures. In this unprecedented crisis, we are suggesting that best practice must be shared across the whole industry to overcome the Covid challenge.
"More than anything it is our belief that these new working practices will become the ‘new normal’. None of us know how long social distancing constraints and the subsequent commercial disruption will last for, so adapting our approach as an industry is essential in these uncertain times."