Lockdown number 3 is well underway, and despite the fact we all hoped to be out of the woods by now, it's more important than ever that workplaces keep up with a high standard of Covid safe practice. The first lockdown came with regulations that allowed construction work to continue despite concerns and pushback from those in the industry. This, granted, was at a time when the country was still dealing with a lot of uncertainty around the best practice under the threat of the virus. This time around, Government guidance says that you can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job at home. When it comes to construction, it remains unlikely that any of the hands-on jobs can be done anywhere but on-site.
This can be difficult, as the ever-present threat of Covid can make working conditions stressful if not managed properly, but we now know more about managing the risks of Covid on site than we did in March. Nevertheless, last year we quickly saw that construction was one of the hardest-hit industries, with a statistically higher Covid death rate than most other sectors. As such, it’s vitally important that workers in the industry take on board advice about Covid safety in order to keep the workforce safe.Let’s Recap
First and foremost, it became law in September of 2020 that a worker is under no obligation to attend work if they are self-isolating. Keeping sick or even potentially sick people away from the vicinity helps keep Covid away from the workplace and is the key to keeping those still working safely from infection. If you are feeling the symptoms of Covid, it’s vital you stay home. By Government standards, like any workplace hazard, it is the employer’s duty to ensure that the workplace is appropriately assessed for risks and is supplied with preventative measures that maintain the safety of those working in the area. Risk assessment should occur thoroughly and regularly, for Covid risks in addition to the standard risks. When on-site, it’s important that the area is set up to be as safe as possible for everyone on site. This means setting up testing stations and screens where necessary, providing masks (particularly when in indoor environments) and hand sanitiser stations, as well as ensuring good stock of cleaning products to keep work areas sanitary. Thermometers are also a wise provision, helping to clock a heightened temperature before the virus enters the workplace.Rapid Testing Kits
CMT Group now stocks Panodyne rapid testing kits, an easy and quick way of testing for the Covid-19 antigens. With 97.04% reliability, these are a highly recommended addition to any site safety precautions and can help to ensure that the virus doesn’t enter the workspace. The Department of Health and Social Care have been advising that testing be focused on those who are unable to work remotely, allowing better tracking of the virus and helping to ‘break the chain’.Sing Happy Birthday to yourself
Providing the means is always the first step to clean practice but it is even more important that these measures are used correctly and often. It’s important to wash your hands regularly and encourage those around you to do the same. Back in March, there was a memorable encouragement to sing ‘happy birthday’ to yourself as you wash your hands, as the song (as well as a range of other fun options) can ensure that you wash your hands for the necessary full 20 seconds it takes to kill the virus.Workplace Teams
Another important thing to consider is the introduction of work teams/bubbles. A measure that is now widely used in schools, workplace bubbles are designed to keep small teams working exclusively together, helping to prevent unnecessary contact with others. Combining this method with rapid testing means that if a worker receives a positive test, it is easy to track of whom they have been in contact with. This means that only the necessary people must isolate, and work can continue as best as possible in the meantime. Additionally, time spent active on jobs should be kept to a minimum and the utmost efficiency should be encouraged to further reduce the time in which the virus has the potential to spread. Fundamentally, the suggestions for safe work in this third lockdown remains similar to what we have been hearing for the best part of a year. Wash hands, keep socially distanced and wear masks where possible, ensure that workspaces are provided for with sufficient hygiene products and other preventative measures, and generally act with increased awareness and concern for yourself and those around you. This time around, however, the availability of rapid testing is key to keeping the workplace Covid free by finding the virus before it gets around your team. These times remain stressful for many and to those who are still going out to work the risks remain high. Remember that your well-being is of the utmost importance and you should always keep your health as a top priority. You can find the Covid safety products mentioned, as well as many more useful safety measures available here. Rapid Covid testing kits are in stock to help quickly test for the presence of Covid-19 antigens and help you to track infection and keep it managed. The CMT Group remains here to provide your construction site with the products necessary to keep workers safe, delivered to you quickly and efficiently.
Loading...
