Construction industry urged to strictly follow updated Covid-19 guidance

SCOTLAND’S construction industry has been urged to ‘play its part’ and strictly follow newly updated Covid-19 guidance.

The call comes from Ken Gillespie, of the Construction Scotland Industry Leadership Group and member of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum.

The updated guidance reinforced measures already in place, reinstates previous requirements and introduces new measures. These include stricter management of toolbox talks to avoid close contact, minimising of car sharing, home working where possible, increased ventilation, greater use of face coverings and stricter cleaning.

Mr Gillespie said, “The new variant of the virus spreads more easily, so all the rules in place to protect you, your family and your community are more important than ever before. Recognising the new variant and the understanding of aerosol transmission between people inside at greater than 2m distance, the industry safe operating guidance has been strengthened and it is essential that everyone working in construction should revisit this guidance.

We are once again at a critical stage in controlling the virus and whilst we know that the vaccine is on its way there are tough weeks ahead and it is all of our responsibilities to play our part in stopping the spread.

“The relevant guidance is available to all. Please go now and review it for your workplace, reinforce messages to all team members and take whatever steps are necessary to make it as safe as it can practicably can be.”