COVID-19 Resources
Engineering services bodies issue coronavirus site safety guides
Leading engineering services sector bodies ECAand BESAhave jointly developed two new guides to help contractors to manage coronavirus-related issues on site.
T
he new guides are freely available to the wider industry during the current emergency. They provide sector-
relevant guidance for engineering and building services contractors working across construction and FM in two specific areas: ‘Specific Environments’ (where there may be higher risk of COVID-19 transmission); and ‘close proximity working’ (less than two metres). The new guides align with the hierarchy of preventative measures shown in the Construction Leadership Council Site Operating Procedures, based on guidance from Public Health England. The guides have been drawn up with the
support of a COVID-19 Expert Panel made up of BESA and ECA safety practitioners. The panel is also helping ECA and the BESA to provide informed, practical comments on site health and safety issues to the government and industry bodies who are generating overarching guidance in this area. BESA Health & Safety Advisor Rebecca
Crosland said: “It is imperative that there is further guidance out there to help keep the industry safe. The health, wellbeing and safety of everyone on site must be a priority during the COVID-19 health crisis. Businesses must exercise their duty of care under legislation to ensure all workers are protected and ensure that any critical information related to their health and safety is communicated clearly and then implemented.” Paul Reeve, ECA’s CSR Director and a member of the CLC’s working group on site safety measures said: “The CLC SOP is an overarching industry document, but it refers to the need for sector guidance. These two guides are the start of joint ECA and BESA activity to produce more detailed, sector-relevant information that’s desperately needed by many engineering services contractors. “They aim to help with the practical management of coronavirus-related issues on site, which may include the challenges associated with doing essential work in closer proximity than two metres.”
26 | electrical wholesalerJune 2020 The two most effective ways to
prevent the spread of coronavirus on site
and when travelling are social distancing and effective hand washing.
Regarding the use of PPE for work in ‘Specific
Environments’, where there is an elevated risk of spread of coronavirus, the guides do not recommend the deployment of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for general site activities, most notably where social distancing is possible. They recommend that any decision to deploy RPE in site-specific situations should be based on risk assessment.
However, the CLC SOP adds that where personnel work in Specific Environments, such as where persons are shielding, with symptoms, or where confirmed Covid-19 cases may be present then (in addition to general mitigating actions such as social distancing and thorough hygiene measures) PPE should be considered in relation to mitigating the risk of viral spread. Examples of ‘Specific Environments’ may include NHS premises, care home or some domestic settings.
Risk assessment and planning Protective measures must be based on a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. Operatives should be fully briefed on viral symptoms and monitor their own health, with daily discussion / support from supervisors and line managers, and should all follow specified and thorough hand washing/hygiene and surface cleaning protocols. Specified social distancing should be followed wherever possible.
Contractors should ensure they view the guides in full at:
https://www.eca.co.uk/downloads/business-support/health-and- safety/coronavirus/draft-covid-19-and-engineering-services-guidance
https://www.thebesa.com/media/837739/gn2-covid-19-and-engineering-services- guidance-v2-23rd-april.pdf
ewnews.co.uk
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