COVID-19 Construction Update

6th April 2020

Further updated information is available from Build UK which is relevant to the Asbestos removal Industry. This is summarised below.

Enforcement of Safe Working - If it comes to the HSE’s attention that employers are not complying with the relevant Public Health England (PHE) guidance, HSE will consider a range of actions, from providing advice to issuing enforcement and prohibition notices.

The Welsh Government - is introducing new regulations this week which will require businesses to take all reasonable measures to ensure the 2 metre rule is maintained between people on their premises whenever work is being carried out. Guidance will be issued to explain what those reasonable measures are.

Essential work – The Government has made it clear that construction should continue to operate at this time provided that sites can implement the Site Operating Procedures.

Furloughing workers – As businesses take the decision to ‘furlough’ workers under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the CLC has asked the Government to review the three-week minimum period. This is currently preventing construction companies from responding effectively to the need for labour as sites adjust their programmes or reallocate resources.

Domestic work – The Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms. It is important to ensure that Public Health England guidelines, including maintaining a 2 metre distance from any household occupants, are followed to ensure everyone’s safety. This is confirmed in Government guidance.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) - has been extended so that all viable small businesses are now eligible and lenders will no longer require personal guarantees for loans under £250,000. The approval process has also been reviewed and decisions should be made much more quickly.