COMMENT
What is the new normal?
A
s lockdown eases and we move towards what is likely to be the ‘new normal’ for some time to come, it is apparent that we will all need to adjust
our behaviour both from a social and business context. Restrictions on how many people we can socialise with and the wearing of face coverings in shops and on public transport focuses our minds on the fact that we are still very much in recovery mode from this terrible pandemic. From a business view, fi rms are also
adjusting to new working practices to ensure they keep their staff and their clients safe. From their fi rst day of training as an apprentice, the electrical industry quite rightly highlights the importance of working safely. The various regulations which apply to the industry spell out what we need to do to keep people safe and these regulations – and the guidance which underpins them – drive the safety culture we should all embrace.
It is therefore pleasing to see and hear the steps Members are taking to make sure that the health and safety challenges which
COVID-19 presents are being tackled in the same positive and responsible ways as other health and
safety requirements. As well as new
conditions for working, businesses also face
challenges in productivity
“ T e recovery of the industry has never been more vital – and it’s equally vital to ensure that only properly qualifi ed and competent electricians build our electric future”
levels, completing existing projects and securing additional work. Members who operate in the domestic and small commercial/industrial sector have reported that they are busy, but some of this activity is undoubtedly catching up with work that was postponed during lockdown. For our larger Members, especially those who work on sites, productivity still remains low. However, the recent announcement by the Scottish Government that the industry can move to Phase 4 of its restart will assist in raising productivity levels on these sites.
As the industry moves into
recovery mode, SELECT is, via the CICV Forum, inputting and infl uencing the work being carried out by each of the Construction
Recovery sub-groups set up by the Scottish Government, which are dealing with a host of subjects including procurement, pipeline of work, payment,
employment and skills,
the green agenda, quality, health and safety. This work will be vital as we seek ways of ensuring workfl ow and job retention.
Regulation of the industry The consultation process for Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston’s Member’s Bill to introduce regulation for electricians via Protection of Title is planned to be launched in August, with the consultation due to last for three months. More details will be announced soon, but it is important that as many Members as possible take the opportunity to respond. We are also working to ensure that a commitment to introduce regulation is contained in each party’s election manifesto. The recovery of the industry has
never been more vital – and it’s equally vital to ensure that only properly qualifi ed and competent electricians build our electric future.
Alan Wilson Managing Director, SELECT
CABLEtalk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 5
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