NFB Calls for Specific COVID-19 Working Practice Guidelines

INDUSTRY DOES NOT want to stop working, says the National Federation of Builders (NFB). The organisation is calling for construction-specific guidance on stopping the transmission and spread of COVID-19 on live sites.

Construction is “in an unenviable position”, the NFB says fearing that “the last time we saw industry grind to a halt in 2008, many businesses closed for good, with workers permanently leaving construction”.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, says, “Over the past two months, we have regularly spoken with members to understand how they are mitigating the spread of COVID-19 on their sites and what business practices they have implemented to ensure workers and the public remain safe.

Reduce risk

“Many projects are on open air sites with workers being provided with personal protection equipment, such as masks and told to stay two metres apart. This considerably reduces risk and contact but we are also working on guidance with our members, which we believe ensures that projects can remain operational.

“With almost half of the construction industry being self-employed and pipelines taking months to acquire, our industry does not want to stop working. Until we are told by the Government to down tools, we will be doing everything we can to support the safest possible working environment.”