H&S in construction – moving from alert level 4 to 3
Building and construction sector framework for de-escalation from COVID-19 Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 – Health and Safety
The construction industry is working collaboratively with government and Construction Sector Accord member groups and client organisations to develop safe return to work processes for all who work in and around the construction sector.
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This work is being led by dedicated teams of professionals working very hard and coordinated by Site Safe, Vertical Leaders, Residential Leaders, Civil Contractors and many others. The CHASNZ board thanks these individuals and their organisations for their leadership, hard work and professional experience during these times.
For businesses to open under Alert Level 3 they will, at a minimum, have to be able to implement good health and safety processes, including physical distancing, hygiene and tracking of persons that address risks posed by COVID-19. To provide support for the sector the industry advisory groups are developing a set of standards, principles and protocols that cover how our businesses and employees might return to work safely. This guidance is being developed and tested with cross sector industry panels including government.
The work developed by the industry advisory groups will be passed to the Accord Steering Group and include the standards (which cover what at a minimum must be achieved) and protocols (guidance on how to achieve the standard). These will be available on the CHASNZ website for use by the industry. The protocols in particular are expected to change as we receive feedback from the field and other sources around how to best manage work under Covid 19 alert levels.
There will inevitably be questions raised about how the standards and protocols are to be applied in the field and the intention is to also to provide ongoing support in interpretation and advice through the expertise available through the above groups.
This work is high priority and the framework is targeted for formal release later next week (14th-17th April), although any draft documents will be released as soon as they are available so that communications can start with construction and professional services organisations across the sector.
Source: CHASNZ
