CITB Coronavirus Construction Advice Criticised for Dangerous Working Practices

CALLS FOR the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to withdraw its toolbox talk advice on social distancing due to the coronavirus have been made by the union Unite.

Unite believes that the advice is inferior to other more comprehensive advice and is causing dangerous confusion for both employers and workers.
 
The union says the CITB advice is a greatly reduced version of the Site Operating Procedures that have been drawn up by the Construction Leadership Council, which are being regularly updated and have cross industry support and Public Health England input.
 
Unite has many concerns about the CITB advice, as it is a very condensed version of the Site Operating Procedures. The union cites the CLC operating procedures which state: “If a site is not consistently implementing the measures set out below, it may be required to shut down.” The CITB tool box talk does not contain such a warning.
 
The union also states that the CITB advice is only aimed at what workers should do, while the CLC procedures cover both workers and employers’ responsibilities.
 
Bad Coronavirus advice

Other CITB tool box points that Unite regards as deficient include:

• Issues about access points or site entry requirements, such as removing fingerprint entry
• No explanation of how to safely conduct an induction process
• No clarity on the provision of appropriate welfare facilities and making available welfare and cleaning equipment
• No advice on dealing with deliveries on site
• No advice on how to appropriately organise with canteen areas.

Unite national officer for construction, Jerry Swain.

Unite national officer Jerry Swain said, “Confusing and differing advice is potentially putting workers in danger.
 
“The CITB tool box talk is inferior to the CLC advice and Unite would urge that it is taken down so that confusion is removed and that workers and all contractors follow the Site Operating Procedures.
 
“The CLC advice has been drawn up in conjunction with Public Health England and is being regularly updated. There should be no confusion that this is what must be applied on construction sites.
 
“It is imperative that if sites remain open that workers can socially distance at all times.”