What does a Covid-Secure construction site look like?

  19 May, 2020      Company UpdatesIndustry Insights
What does a Covid-Secure construction site look like?

A month on from reopening many of our new-build construction sites, we are taking a look at what measures have been put in place to keep colleagues and clients Covid-Secure.

Getting back to work safely

Of our phased reopening plan Lee Hartley, operations director at Novus, said:

“The safety of everyone involved in our building and maintenance projects is always the top priority for us.”

“We’re confident that, by following the government’s guidance around social distancing measures, adapting our working practices accordingly and providing our colleagues with the necessary personal protective equipment, we’re playing our part in keeping people safe at work and delivering building projects across the country.”


So with that said, what do these new Covid-Secure working practices look like?

Reconfiguration of site parking

Upon arrival to any reopened Novus construction site, you will quickly notice that the parking bays have been reconfigured so that every other space is used.

This measure ensures that there is a safe 2m gap between each person as they exit their vehicle and as such, social distancing is maintained from the off.

Additionally, having colleagues actively participating in social distancing measures from the minute they arrive, sets the tone for their whole experience whilst working on site.


Robust and plentiful new signage

Perhaps the most obvious new measure is the abundance of updated signage in and around the construction site.

The new Covid-19 awareness signs serve as a continual reminder to everyone on-site to remain vigilant, stay alert and help control the spread of the virus.

It is important that the new signs are not only strategically placed around the construction site to be noticed, but also when designing any new signage, they need to be distinct from other health and safety notices.

This is a challenge particularly for construction sites as workers are exposed to an array of signage on a daily basis and it is critical that these messages do not become just white noise.

Extending this out to all other workplaces, clear and plentiful signage will be critical to reinforce new procedures until they ultimately become habitual.

Whether people have been placed on furlough leave or have been working from home throughout lockdown, returning to any workplace that is implementing Covid-Secure measures is initially sure to feel alien and take a period of adjustment.


Temperature checking

Before coming onto a Novus work site, everyone must have their body temperature checked.

As one of the main symptoms of Covid-19 is the presentation of a high temperature (found in excess of 37.8 degrees Celsius), temperature checking is a necessary precaution that many facilities are likely to adopt post-lockdown.

The temperature check at Novus sites are a simple non-invasive procedure (we don’t put a thermometer in your mouth!), with contactless infra-red gun.

If you are within the normal, we will be happy to welcome you on-site.


Contactless site inductions

As has always been the case with visits to a live construction environment, everyone must undergo a health and safety induction before they are allowed onto the site.

This would normally involve a face-to-face presentation with the person responsible for health and safety at the work site and a physical orientation.

However, to limit the number of people that a visitor comes into contact on-site, Novus now operate contactless inductions with the use of a video presentation instead.


Sanitation stations

For the foreseeable future at least, any place that accommodates groups of people will likely feature designated areas for sanitation.

Whether this be with the installation of temporary hand washing facilities, placing bottles of hand sanitiser around the site, or both.

At sites such as the NHS Greater Manchester, Novus have installed additional temporary hand basins for colleagues, to encourage regular hand washing throughout the day or whenever changing tasks.

If you are interested in having temporary hand washing facilities installed in your workplace, business, or school, please do get in touch with us >>


Social distancing

It is truly a sign of the times that implementing social distancing protocol almost goes without saying.

Novus have reconfigured the layout and structure of all facilities at our construction sites, from the toilets to the canteens, everything possible has been done to ensure that our colleagues remain the minimum 2 metre distance apart.

All work must is planned in advance, shift times are reorganised, and break times are staggered to minimise contact between workers.


Keeping workers safe

It is of the utmost importance to Novus to keep everyone safe and we are going above and beyond the guidance set out by the Government.

All of the safe working practices that Novus have put into place during the Covid-19 pandemic, are available to view via our web page.

To find out how Novus can assist your organisation in reopening, contact us for more information.

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