This bulletin has been provided to us by the HSE
An update on the latest information for employers and employees in the construction industry.
Visit the HSE website for all the latest updates
Coronavirus updates and advice
'Work Safe, Safe Work' campaign launched
Developed by TrustMark and supported by The Construction Leadership Council, the Work Safe Safe Work campaign has been created to guide and reassure homeowners who are looking to employ tradespeople in and around their homes in a post COVID lockdown world.
The aim is to provide guidance and information to homeowners and tradespeople to restore confidence in the marketplace, raise awareness, and provide guidelines on working safely in customers' homes.
Campaign material includes a short animation and a booklet that can be downloaded or given to the homeowner before a visit to their property, which gives them practical advice about what COVID-safety measures should be discussed and carried out before, during and after work is done in and around their home.
Social distancing and making your workplace COVID-secure
Social distancing means keeping people apart to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
You must ensure that workers and other people visiting your workplace understand and comply with the measures you put in place and that your workplace is COVID-secure.
Although HSE regulates in Great Britain, the rules on social distancing may be different in devolved nations. You should check the public health guidance that applies in England, Scotland and Wales.
For construction sector specific guidance towards protecting your workforce during the pandemic, go to the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Site Operating Procedures (SOP V5).
CLC’s SOP are based on Government guidance on Working safely during Coronavirus (Covid-19) - Construction and other outdoor work; other restrictions and advice may apply in Scotland and Wales.
Disinfecting work areas during the coronavirus outbreak
You can help to control the spread of COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfecting larger spaces such as changing, eating and rest areas.
Fog, mist, vapour or UV treatments may be suitable options for cleaning and disinfecting larger spaces, in order to help control the spread of coronavirus.
Any use of these treatments for these purposes should form part of your COVID-19 risk assessment, while users must be competent and properly trained.
Read HSE’s guidance on selecting the correct treatment.
HSE statistics release: coronavirus disease reports
HSE has recently published information relating to coronavirus disease reports made by employers to HSE and local authorities since 10 April 2020 under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
More coronavirus-related updates and advice from HSE
HSE has published a range of guidance and advice, which you may find useful.
Other industry news and publications
Draft Building Safety Bill published
20 July saw the publication of the government’s draft Building Safety Bill, which aims to create the biggest change in building safety for a generation by putting in place new and enhanced regulatory regimes for building safety and construction products, and ensuring residents have a stronger voice in the system.
The draft Bill also names HSE as the new Building Safety Regulator.
Find out more, including comments from HSE’s Sarah Albon (Chief Executive) and Peter Baker (Director of the Building Safety and Construction Division) about what this means in this press release.
For the latest news and information go to HSE’s Building Safety webpage and subscribe to our free building safety email bulletin.
Workplace fatality figures for 2019/20 released
HSE has released its annual workplace fatality figures for 2019/20.
The latest figures show that between April 2019 and March 2020, 111 people were killed in Great Britain while doing their job, the lowest year on record. 40 fatal injuries to construction workers accounted for the largest share.
More detail can be found in this press release and a full report is available here.
HSE appoints new Chair of HSE
Sarah Newton has been appointed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as the new Chair of the HSE Board.
Published on Tuesday 11th August 2020