INDUSTRYNEWS
DHF publishes guidance document
for on-site working during COVID-19
Since March 23rd, businesses across the UK have had to adapt to a new way of
working. During the lockdown period, there has been a continuing flow of calls to
DHF’s technical helpline, demonstrating that, on the whole, members have been able
to continue to trade in line with government guidance. Indeed, many members have
made good use of this period to review their business practices and ensure that they
are in a strong position to resume full trading when the market returns to normal.
» DHF HAS ALSO BEEN REQUIRED
to modify, and respond to, its need for
different working practices. In April, it
launched its digital training facility, enabling
its audience to purchase training courses,
online. The organisation remains ‘the voice
of the industry’ and has been especially
pro-active in keeping the industry informed
by delivering training that enables safe and
compliant products to be put on the market,
in addition to offering on-going advice and
guidance to its members.
Recently launched is its newly-created
document, Guidance for managing on site
working during the COVID 19 outbreak,
aimed at providing assistance to an industry
that has been required to adopt a new way of
operating. Immediately following lockdown,
the UK Secretary of State Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy, made it clear that the
contribution of the construction industry to
the economy is vital, but whilst not expected
to fully shut down, adherence to rules such a
social distancing must be acknowledged.
“DHF has brought together best practice
from a number of sources to enable managers
and supervisory staff to help protect
themselves, employees, clients and the public
during the UK COVID-19 outbreak,”
explains DHF’s Head of Commercial
Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens.
“Although the environment and government
guidance is changing rapidly, we hope to be
able to offer some form of accurate support
and assistance to our members.”
In compiling the document, DHF used
sources such as the UK Government, Build
UK, the Construction Leadership Council and
the Health and Safety Executive. The newly
launched document seeks to assist companies
in revising operations during COVID-19, so
that the industry can continue to function as
safely and efficiently as possible.
In line with existing risk assessment, DHF
are advising that the following be taken into
account:
• Companies should remind their
workforce of the specific control
measures necessary to protect themselves,
their colleagues, families and the UK
population. This can be undertaken
during daily/regular briefings. Companies
are encouraged to operate an open,
collaborative approach between workers
and employees on site where any issues
can be openly addressed.
• Only participants that are necessary
should be at on-site meetings, and at
least two metres apart from one another.
Rooms should be well ventilated and
doors or windows open for additional
aeration.
• Any worker demonstrating signs of
COVID-19 should self-isolate for seven
days and not attend work until free of
symptoms. Those in the ‘at risk’ category
should follow government advice on
shielding and maintaining social distance
and minimise all external contact.
• Working on certain increased-risk
environments will require additional
considerations, for example, in healthcare
and residential care premises where
COVID-19 has been identified. If the
task is in an increased risk environment,
there is a need to reconsider the
importance of the task.
• Site hygiene should be increased during
the lockdown period with hand washing
and toilet facilities available for all and
facilities cleaned regularly.
• Site entry points should support a
reduction in the number of people
in attendance, with delivery drivers
remaining in their vehicles and washing
their hands before and after unloading
goods and materials. Additional hand
washing stations should be provided
where possible and touch points cleaned
regularly.
• Where any task requires the use of PPE
under normal circumstances, it must of
course always be used, but in the case of
COVID-19, PPE used to control working
within two metres, such as disposable
overalls, disposable gloves, eye protection
and suitable face masks, must be carefully
managed to prevent cross contamination.
“During these unprecedented times, the
measures necessary to minimise the risk of the
spread of infection relies on everyone in the
industry taking responsibility for their actions
and behaviours. It is hoped that DHF’s new
guidance document will provide clarity on the
current situation and guide for working safely
and conscientiously, going forward,” concludes
Patricia.
www.dhfonline.org.uk
18 » JUN 2020 » CLEARVIEW-UK.COM