THE Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has launched a new social media campaign to encourage workers to stay safe in their social lives.
Using two animations, the collective is calling on staff to protect colleagues by following physical distancing guidelines in their private lives as well as in the workplace.
The campaign coincides with the reopening of bars and restaurants, and makes it clear that any good work achieved through on-site best practice could be undone if habits are relaxed in other settings.
Rebecca Crosland, health and safety advisor at Forum member the Building Engineering Services Association said, “It is important to hammer home the message that this dangerous bug has not gone away and that we all need to remain vigilant at home as well at work to prevent a resurgence. Once again, we are presenting the key points in a simple and entertaining format, which is eye-catching as well as informative. Operatives have responded magnificently to guidance in the workplace and we are sure they will respond positively to this further reminder.”
The first short film features a construction worker called Campbell alongside the message: “Campbell is Covid-19 smart. Campbell keeps to the physical distancing rules. Campbell doesn’t break those rules in his spare time. Be like Campbell. Be Covid-19 smart.”
A second animation features another construction worker called Fiona, who observes physical distancing in her spare time to help protect colleagues when she returns to work. The message is repeated on open source posters, designed to be printed out and displayed in workplaces.
Iain Mason, director of membership and communications at SELECT and chair of the Forum’s communications sub-group added, “We have made huge strides in getting core safety messaging accepted and applied on site, in depots and in construction offices. Now we need to reiterate that, and urge our workforces not to relax their guard in their time away from work. I’m sure that everyone will understand that it would be dispiriting to throw away the gains we have made by not abiding by the distancing rules at all times.
“This latest campaign continues the Forum’s key message that we are all #InThis Together and the importance of workers taking personal responsibility to protect themselves, their colleagues and the wider community.”
