Return to Work Guidance for Construction Sites

As UK construction companies begin to mobilise their sites, we look to the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) for a unified site operating approach. The CLC have now launched a third revision to the ‘Site Operating Procedures During Covid-19’, and as always, RVT Group are on hand to help you adhere to this guidance.

With this in mind, we have put together a range of simple, cost-effective solutions to help make your site simpler and easier to manage. Below, we have identified 5 key areas where we can support you:

1. Increased Ventilation in Enclosed Areas

The CLC's Site Operating Procedure Recommendation: "Increase ventilation in enclosed spaces”. When working in an enclosed space, such as a basement, tunnel or shaft, the HSE's guidance is to 'supply' fresh air and purge out contaminated air. It is important to force fresh air behind the pollution source, filling the whole area, and forcing out fumes by displacement.

RVT Solution: RVT offers a wide range of axial and centrifugal fans, capable of producing air flows of up to 120,000m3/h. These powerful fans can maintain pressure over long duct runs, making them ideal for providing ventilation into basements and deep tunnels.

2. Disinfection of Touch Points

The CLC's Site Operating Procedure Recommendation: "Enhanced cleaning procedures should be in place across the site, particularly in communal areas and at touch points". Touch points include (but are not limited to); machinery controls, vehicle controls, office equipment, telephones, work surfaces, door handles and handrails.

RVT Solution: RVT Group are now able to offer a disinfectant spray in a 22-litre canister with a hose and spray gun. This provides a very fine mist of disinfectant that is ideal for spraying on work surfaces, in an office, or on machinery.

3. Increase the Number of Bins

The CLC's Site Operating Procedure Recommendation: It is recommended that sites “provide suitable and sufficient rubbish bins with regular removal and disposal", and that "hand cleaning facilities or hand sanitiser should be available". The guidance also recommends that gloves are used when cleaning vehicles, machinery and high traffic touch points.

RVT Solution: In response to this guidance, RVT is offering low cost, fully recyclable, disposable bins which come complete with tape to seal the aperture when full. Disposing of the whole unit avoids any further contamination.

4. Increased Hand Sanitisation and Hand Washing

The CLC's Site Operating Procedure Recommendation: Sites should “provide additional hand washing facilities (e.g. pop-ups) to the usual welfare facilities, particularly on a large spread out site" and that "hand cleaning facilities or hand sanitiser should be available at the entrance to any room where people eat".

RVT Solution: Solutions include a disposable hand sanitiser station and bin combo, and a pumped handwash system. Suitable for external/outdoor environments with hands-free water supply (foot-operated tap).

5. Social Distancing Aid

The CLC's Site Operating Procedure Recommendation: When the 2 meter social distancing is adhered to, RPE should not be used. However, the guidance also recognises that it isn't always feasible to work 2 meters apart, and so if face to face work is essential, then RPE and other PPE can be used to protect workers.

RVT Solution: RVT can offer face visors in the following quantities; 400, 4,000 and 8,000. Visors should be worn as best practice, and especially supportive for short-duration tasks where social distancing becomes a challenge.

Download RVT's 'Return To Work' Guidance Brochure here

Read the Construction Leadership Council Guidelines here

As we emerge from this pandemic, which we realise will be a process, please don’t hesitate to speak to any of our team for support with your challenges. There will be an end to this, and working together we can win!

For more information on how RVT can help, please call 0808 178 3286 or email us at customerservices@rvtgroup.co.uk.

Please note, this information is correct as of 28th April 2020.