INDUSTRY VOICE
BMF publishes Branch Operating Guidelines during Covid-19
THE BMF HAS produced Branch Operating Guidelines for the safe operation of builders’ mer- chants while Covid-19 restrictions continue. This is supported by a video-infographic outlining the key elements of the practical advice. The 18-page document and video sets out guidelines and additional precautions to follow in the office, at trade counters, during customer and supplier deliveries, customer collection and tool hire.
The Guidelines incorporate Public Health England (PHE) social distancing and hygiene procedures
and have been prepared in consultation with merchants, Highways England and the Con- struction Leadership Council, which has itself published Site Operating Procedures for use on all building sites to facilitate safe working.
Two-metre social distancing is absolute between merchant staff, customers and suppliers - and information is included on detailed cleaning routines and mandatory compliance to avoid transmission of the virus.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “The Government has made it
Marshalls Design Spaces to host
BMF Regional Training Centres THE BUILDERS MERCHANTS Federation is set to launch two further Regional Training Centres with the assistance of Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping supplier. The new Regional Training Centres will be hosted in Marshalls Design Space facilities in central Birmingham and in Clerkenwell, London. They will both open after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
BMF Regional Training Centres provide meeting and training spaces for smaller groups to come together, reflecting the
BMF’s localisation strategy to help members participate in events closer to their own home base, thus reducing time spent away from their business.
Peter Hallitt, Marshalls’ Group Trading Managing Director, said: “The two Marshalls Design Spaces are ideal venues for this purpose, designed for construction industry professionals to explore, experiment and imagine a range of possibilities. They are great places to learn too and we are delighted to support the BMF in this way.”
BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “I would like to thank Marshalls for working with the BMF to bring our second and third Regional Training Centres on stream. They are both fantastic spaces and will serve city centre areas in the BMF’s Midland and London/ South East regions. Our first RTC, in Cornwall, serves the far South West, and we are targeting three more by the end of the year.”
Appeal to builders’ merchants to provide vital PPE to the NHS
THE BMF is appealing to builders’ merchants across the UK to provide much-needed personal protective equipment for NHS staff. The move is part of a national initiative co-ordinated by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
In a bid to tackle the shortages, the BMF is appealing for merchants to donate items including FFP3 masks, full-face visors, safety goggles and glasses, hazmat/full body suits and hand sanitiser in a bid to tackle the shortages.
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BMF merchants have been asked to contact their BMF Regional Manager with details of the level of stocks they can offer.
John Newcomb, Chief Executive of the BMF, said: “The unique nature of the BMF network puts them in pole position to support this initiative. We are assessing what stock levels are in place through our merchants. We will then work with the relevant supply chain, through the CLC initiative, to get any items we receive to healthcare professionals.”
clear that merchants are a vital part of the construction supply chain and, if it is safe to do so, it is important they are able to support the construction industry as work continues and more sites reopen. “We have worked with the industry to develop a new operating model to minimise the risk of virus transmission. The new model centres around trade customers using call and collect, click and collect and pre-arranged orders, with no public access into branches.
“The safety of merchant staff, suppliers and customers is
paramount and every merchant must make the best decision for their individual business. We hope these new Guidelines will show how risks can be managed if these safe systems of work are in place and remain effective until further notice.”
The BMF website includes a list showing the current operational status of merchant and supplier members during the crisis. The BMF has asked all members to advise them of any changes to ensure the list is accurate and up to date.
BMF welcomes new members:
Associate Supplier
Distributor
BMF DIARY DATES
In light of the continuous changes to events due to COVID-19 precautions, please check the BMF website at www.
bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net May 2020
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