Building sites / construction

[OhHiya]

What do you all think of these being kept open during a lockdown?

@CaptainVanesHair

Actual construction and infrastructure I completely understand still working.

Trades like gardening are in no way an essential and shouldn’t be considered under the same umbrella in this instance. It’s a luxury to have a gardener and it’s not the same as, for example, a vulnerable person needing a cleaner.

How on earth is someone coming to do your garden going to infect you with covid? They are outside you are inside, they earn a living you have a tidy garden, what's the harm really?
What about someone who's disabled or vulnerable? Can they have their garden tended too?

Of all the industries to pick, why on earth are people worried about the construction industry?

Of all the industries to pick, why on earth are people worried about the construction industry?

Because an awful lot of families rely on construction industry to pay their bills?

@LangClegsInSpace

DS works in a related industry and spends a lot of time on site at major projects. Things were really unsafe on a lot of sites in March and there was plenty written about it. See for example:

www.constructionnews.co.uk/agenda/investigations/construction-coronavirus-villain-or-saviour-of-the-economy-02-04-2020/

The government were bigging up construction workers as essential in press conferences, repeatedly mentioning them before other sectors like retail, delivery or manufacturing. Alok Sharma wrote them a special letter paying tribute to them for continuing to go out to work:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-to-the-construction-sector

TBH the whole thing seemed dodgy as fuck.

I haven't asked DS lately about conditions on site. I hope they've substantially upped their game because they weren't closed last time and they won't be closed this time.

HSE regularly attend major sites and have shut them down if they are not operating safely.

The whole industry had two weeks to get covid practices in place with little or no guidance. That guidance has been revised six times since March, the latest being issued in December 20.

That said, main contractors can put these processes in place but they need the workers to abide by them. There may be instances where things are unsafe but that’s usually because risk assessments aren’t being followed correctly.

Another construction bashing thread.

Yawn!

They’re staying- get over it.

[quote flowerycurtain]@CaptainVanesHair surely common sense comes into it.

I've cancelled my cleaner tomorrow as she'd be in my home even though I'm out.

If the gardener is allowed and happy to work I'll keep her. I don't need to go within 20m of her in a windy garden that I don't need to touch anything in for weeks. She doesn't go through the house or use the loo.

Those of you saying how amazing construction is I believe you for the big sites. But on those big sites I think often when the big wigs aren't around the rules are ignored. We live v close to some big building sites and the men sit in their vans having breaks etc. One way system to get to it maybe but when the boss isn't looking they're warm and toasty for 30 mins with that van heater on.

I also think a lot of smaller companies don't have the resources to implement a lot of these things. I know a lot of less than 10 people outfits and they are nothing like what you describe on this site.

Lots will have to stay open. Eg the bearings manufacturer I went to today. You might think we can live without bearings but the thousands of animals I feed everyday based on those bearings would think otherwise.

[/quote]
It’s exactly the same with people not following the government rules though.

Generally people are red carded and banned from that main contractors site.

It also depends on the teams as some form a ‘bubble’ and stay in local hotels away from their families etc.

@ohhiya binmen have to share vans as well

My dh is building maintenance for a council. He's always been a bit of a worrier but he's been so anxious since March. No one in his yard socially distances and they take the piss out of him when he steps back from them etc. He shares a van with a colleague. You can't stay apart when you're carrying heavy things etc. He doesn't know when he goes onto someone's house whether they're following the rules or just being really lax. At the moment they're just doing essential work but instead of drawing up a rota, everyone has to be in, waiting around standing too close in the yard in case they're needed. It's been run really badly where he is.

@LoudTree construction can be essential if your roof tiles fall off and rain can get in are you happy to wait months ? We have a housing shortage ? You have a burst pipe , all essential construction
Manufacturing covers a lot so they will be making car parts , household essentials , food manufacturers
If they can be done as safe as possible then whats the issue
Also we need some taxes and revenue coming in and people need to put food on the table

@seven201 I know someone who does similar but his firm has been very strict and careful in the most
My dh has to go into peoples homes and your right he wears ppe but people don't in the house and whilst most keep distance some he has to remind
I have had a couple repairs done and have sat in another room and left tradesmen to it and they have turned up in mask ( ha ) and been good

@SendHelp30

Another construction bashing thread.

Yawn!

They’re staying- get over it.

Who’s bashing construction?

@donewithitalltodayandxmas unfortunately my dh is a bit shy so would silently stress about it rather than ask someone to stand back. He presents as fine. Our boiler is broken so we've got someone coming out tomorrow; I'll be wearing a mask to let them in, opening all the windows and getting well out of their way. I wish everyone would realised that not everyone who turns up to do a job feels entirely comfortable doing it at the moment.

@seven201 I agree its not ideal and he said some people are just oblivious to it all
I have workmen due thurs to replace broken sink and will be doing the same so they are kept safe as well
More professions who are not entirely covid safe than people think
And actually now children are home there will be more people potentially in the houses , he did say most people are fine though and its a relief when he has outside jobs to look at

Im working on a much needed school building project. Should that stop?

Why do you think they should close?
The construction industry has done a lot to keep open.
Many of the people who work on site do so already with a fair amount of PPE on, spcially distanced from others in many situations.

Measures really are being taken. Updates and regular toolbox talks are ongoing concerning covid. Covid19 education is also a large part of peoples inductions and RAMs now, and not following covid safety rules is about the most likely reason to be red carded from site now.

Can you point out where I said they should close?

Sorry @Wakeupin2022, I meant why are people picking on the construction industry and debating why they shouldn't be open. I think they should be.

Not everyone who works on building sites shares a van? My DP never has, has always driven his own car to site. He then enters a an empty flat and works on his own all day. His particular site is shut today and tomorrow for a deep clean.

Those of you talking about furloughing construction staff are dreaming. Many are trading as limited companies even as individuals so do not qualify for any financial assistance.

The site he works at is Covid secure they have a system to ensure that only one person is let into one property at a time, once you are in there's no going out even at lunch to get food.