COVID-19 Updates from Industry

To assist our members, below are links to guidance from Industry. NB SPACES excepts no liability for the accuracy of this information. Follow us on LinkedIn for up to date information.

Department for Education – managing school premises
The DfE have published guidance on managing school premises, which are partially open, during the coronavirus outbreak. Educational settings should review their arrangements for all building-related systems but in particular:

  • hot and cold water systems,
  • gas safety,
  • fire safety,
  • kitchen equipment,
  • security including access control and intruder alarm systems, and
  • ventilation

CIBSE – Emerging from Lockdown
As some businesses emerge from lockdown and slowly open their doors to their staff, CIBSE have created essential guidelines that should be considered when re-occupying these buildings.

RICS – Restarting Operations
As restarting operations in line with local government advice, RICS have produced a range of practical guides with best practice considerations for different sections of the profession.

LGA – COVID-19 – Remote Council Meetings
During the coronavirus pandemic, local authorities are unable to conduct public meetings in person. Holding council meetings virtually requires a different approach to communication and technology. Our new online hub hosts a range of guidance, peer to peer support, and case studies to assist councils with this significant change to working.

Responsible Contractual Behaviour
The Cabinet Office and the Infrastructure and Projects Agency have published Guidance on responsible contractual behaviour in the performance and enforcement of contracts impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
BEIS has published guidance for people who work in construction and other outdoor work

Application of the Building Regulations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Guidance for Building Control Bodies operating in England.

Remediation and COVID-19: Building Safety update
Making buildings safe, including progressing the remediation of high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding, particularly those with unsafe Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding; and maintaining measures to ensure buildings are safe ahead of remediation, remains a priority for the government. The government’s view is that this work is critical to public safety.

COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities
Non-statutory guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities in the private and social rented sectors in the context of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the construction sector
Letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to the UK’s construction sector.

Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID-19): sector guidance
This is a list of tailored advice for different scenarios as an example of how social distancing and other measures might be implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce and customers from coronavirus while still continuing to trade.
These are not intended to be comprehensive or to represent every business’s situation, but are illustrative examples.

CITB Site operating procedures/COVID-19 site safety checklists and forms (v4)
The CITB have worked with the CLC and others to produce a comprehensive range of interactive checklists and forms to assist construction employers. The resources will ensure that those who are permitted and able to return to work have a clear understanding of how they can apply the CLC’s COVID-19 Site operating procedures guidance (Version 4, updated 19 May) in practice. Guidance on issues such as close working, cleaning and what employees should do if they become unwell is included.
Construction Leadership Council

CLC Site operating Procedures – 19th May
Site Operating Procedures Version 4 published by CLC. Update from 14th April.
The Site Operating Procedures have been updated to incorporate a number of technical changes as a result of the recently published Government guidance on Working Safely during Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Construction & Other Outdoor Work.

CLC COVID-19 CONTRACTUAL BEST PRACTICE GUIDANCE
The COVID-19 Task Force has published practical guidance for all companies involved in the construction supply chain on how to minimise potential disputes

CLC Advice on Temporary Suspension of Sites
The Construction Leadership Council, working with the Construction Coronavirus Taskforce, has developed guidance – Advice on temporary suspension of sites – to ensure that any closures can be achieved as safely as possible, avoiding potential issues while the site is not active.

CIC – Why Sites are not closing
Blog from Graham Watts, Chief Executive, Construction Industry Council

CLC: Construction Roadmap to Recovery Plan Published
The Construction Leadership Council’s Covid-19 Task Force has laid out proposals to secure the future of construction businesses nationwide, while setting the industry on a sustainable path towards recovery.

RICS Response COVID-19
Includes information on:

  • Resources for candidates and professionals
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Guidance for professionals
  • Support and guidance for SMEs
  • COVID-19 related news and insight

Free BSI and ISO Standards
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, BSI have reviewed the information available and worked with international standards organizations to make some standards accessible for the purposes of organisations that are involved in the UK COVID-19 response. These are
Continuity and Resilience

  • PD CEN/TS 17091:2018 Crisis management: Building a strategic capability
  • BS EN ISO 22301:2019  Business continuity management systems — Requirements
  • BS EN ISO 22313:2020 Business continuity management systems. Guidance on the use of ISO 22301
  • ISO/TS 22318:2015 Guidelines for supply chain continuity
  • ISO 22316:2017 Organizational resilience. Principles and attributes.

Risk Management

  • BS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines
  • BS 31100:2011 Risk management – Code of practice and guidance for the implementation of BS ISO 31000

Community Resilience

  • BS ISO 22319:2017 Community resilience – Guidelines for planning the involvement of spontaneous volunteers
  • BS ISO 22330:2018 Guidelines for people aspects of business continuity
  • BS ISO 22395:2018 Community resilience. Guidelines for supporting vulnerable persons in an emergency

Emergency Management

  • BS ISO 22320:2018 Emergency management. Guidelines for incident management

They are also running free webinars.