AUGUST 2020 | 27
Installer Support
CICV FORUM ANIMATIONS URGE
WORKERS TO BE COVID-19 SMART
IN FREE TIME AND WORK TIME
As the easing of lockdown
measures continues across
Scotland, the Construction
Industry Coronavirus (CICV)
Forum has launched a new social
media campaign urging workers
to stay safe in their social lives.
Using two engaging
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.
Designed to be shared
on social media, 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 pubs or other social
gatherings.
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 and 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
also observes physical distancing
in her spare time to
help protect her colleagues
when she returns to work.
The message is repeated
on open source posters,
designed to be printed out
and displayed in workplaces.
‘
we need
to urge our
workforces
not to relax
their guard
’
Iain Mason, Director of
Membership and Communications
at SELECT and
Chair of the Forum’s Communications
Sub-Group,
said: “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.”
Iain added: “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.”
The latest campaign follows
a recent animation in
which the Forum outlined
the key health and safety
steps that all staff should
take during the return to
work.
It also reinforces the Forum’s
reputation for proactive
innovation, which has
seen it at the forefront of
clear and concise information
distribution throughout
the Covid-19 crisis.
The Forum, made up of
trade associations, professional
services bodies,
companies and individuals,
stepped into the fray
immediately in March with
advice on how to operate
safely while carrying out
emergency or essential
work.
It has since then been
drawing on the collective
expertise of its members to
maintain a steady supply of
information and practical
advice to the sector as well
as carrying out surveys,
producing animations and
posters, hosting webinars
and making appeals to
Government Ministers.
The Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum
The Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum
(CICV) was formed in early March 2020 in response
to the urgent COVID-19 threat to people
and business. With a focus firmly on collaborative
action, the Forum brings together senior
representatives from 25 construction trade and
professional associations whose members operate
the length and breadth of Scotland’s built
environment supply chain. There are 50 subgroup
members and more than 100 individuals
in the Forum too. Whether merchant/wholesaler,
contractor, or multi-million-pound building firm,
Scotland’s construction sector is fighting to keep
its people, businesses and livelihoods intact and,
in turn, this Forum is fighting for them.
By pooling expertise and knowledge, the Forum
represents the interests of Scotland’s diverse
construction supply chain with one consistent
voice. Forum priorities include lobbying the
Scottish Government to influence policy and to
push for positive action, and to give expert focus
to important sector issues including commercial,
employment, planning for the future, skills, and
health and safety.
Cicvforum.co.uk