The latest Site Operating Procedures (SOP) published by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) recognise that it is impossible for some construction tasks to be carried out with social distancing measures in place – where workers are spaced at least two metres apart.

In response, the CLC has set out a 'hierarchy of controls' for supervisors in the event that two-metre distancing cannot be adhered to.

These include:

• Limiting close contact - by encouraging operatives to work side by side, instead of face to face, regularly cleaning common touch points, and limiting the number of people using large pieces of equipment.

• Isolating ‘teams’ of workers – making sure that the same people work alongside each other each day and keeping teams small.

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• Where face to face work is unavoidable; limiting tasks to 15 minutes where possible.

To support these measures, SafeSite Facilities has produced a free self-assessment to help site managers and principal contractors identify and minimise safety and security risks, without the need for outside personnel to come onto site.

Greig McGarva, Hire and Sales Team Leader, SafeSite Facilities, said: "Our customers are working tirelessly to ensure they continue to meet their construction targets on time and on budget, despite the restrictions to site access placed on them during the pandemic. That's why we have created a free construction site safety and security assessment, so they can carry out a self-assessment and, with our guidance, put in place the appropriate measures to minimise any possible harm or damage. At this challenging time it is vital, now more than ever, that health and safety protocols are followed to protect public health and ensure the safety of all construction workers."

www.safesitefacilities.co.uk/knowledge-base/free-construction-site-safety-and-security-assessment