PERSONAL HEALTH ADVICE

IT IS EASY TO FORGET TO WASH ONE’S HANDS WHILST CONCENTRATING ON THE JOB. HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF SITUATIONS TO REMEMBER TO WASH THEM AFTERWARDS!

Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds each time with soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially on the following occasions:

• When you get home or into work, especially when using public transport;
• When you remove your work gloves at break times;
• Before you eat or handle food;
• After you blow your nose, sneeze or cough;

Practice good hygiene elsewhere whilst working—use the nearest bin to dispose of tissues after use.

Wipe surfaces with antibacterial cleaner in your work vehicles after the shift (steering wheel, gear stick, indicator arm etc.)

CAN YOU REMIND ME WHAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON SITE TO CLEAN ONE’S HANDS EFFECTIVELY?

Wash your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand wash or wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, follow the NHS hand washing guidance.

AM I SAFE BECAUSE I AM WEARING GLOVES ON SITE?

Wearing gloves whilst working is advisable and hands should be washed at the first opportunity after removing the gloves. Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose whilst wearing the gloves, use your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

WHAT DO I TELL MY EMPLOYER/CONTRACTOR IF I SUSPECT I HAVE SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE?

You must inform your employer immediately if you are suffering symptoms of the coronavirus, this will allow your employer to alert your co-workers or people you have been in close contact with to be mindful of the symptoms of coronavirus. You must follow the governments stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection.

WHAT DO I DO IF ONE OF MY FAMILY OR MY PARTNER HAS SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE?

If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

SHOULD I STAY AT HOME IF I HAVE CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS?

Stay at home if you have either: 

• A high temperature—this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• A new, continuous cough—this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

How long to stay at home?

• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you’ll need to stay at home for 7 days;
• If you live with someone who has symptoms, you’ll need to stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person in the home started having symptoms;
• If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
• If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.

WHAT FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO ME IF I AM SELF-EMPLOYED OR TEMPORARILY LAID OFF?

To make sure people in work can take the necessary time off to stay at home if they are suffering from coronavirus or to prevent its spread, changes have been made to Statutory Sick Pay and how Universal Credit supports self-employed claimants.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I FEEL I AM BEING UNFAIRLY TREATED BY MY EMPLOYER DUE TO THIS EMERGENCY?

It might be against the law if you’re being treated unfairly due to you or a family member suffering with the coronavirus which means time away from the workplace. If it is, you can complain to your employer and if necessary take take them to an employment tribunal. Free legal advice is available from the Citizens Advice.

NHS have a simple 2-page guide on the recommended way to thoroughly wash your hands, which you can download below:

Download the NHS Hand Washing Guide

COMPANY FINANCIAL ADVICE

THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED ON THE 17^TH MARCH ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES DURING THIS PANDEMIC. WHAT MEASURES ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO EMPLOYERS IN OUR SECTOR?

These include

• Statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs. This legislation is being fast tracked through Parliament.
• Additional funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBBR). This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to businesses currently eligible for SBRR or rural rate relief, to help meet their ongoing business costs. Funding for the scheme will be provided to local authorities by the government in early April.
• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to be launched w/c 23^rd March to support businesses with cash-flow pressures due to the emergency. Delivered by the British Business Bank through its Accredited Lenders and Partners.
• All businesses and self-employed people in financial distress, and with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their tax affairs through HMRC’s Time To Pay service.

We urge all employers to view COVID-19: support for businesses and sign up for updates.

ARE THERE SEPARATE SUPPORT MEASURES IN THE DEVOLVED NATIONS?

• Scotland—refer to the Scottish Government’s latest information
• Wales—refer to the Welsh Government’s latest information
• Northern Ireland—refer to the Department of Finance’s  latest information

WHERE DO I SEEK GUIDANCE ON SETTING OUT MY BUSINESS CASE FOR SUPPORT?

The government recommends use of its material and that of third parties available on the GOV.UK website.

WHAT DO I DO IF I FEEL THAT NONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MEASURES COVER MY COMPANY’S CIRCUMSTANCES CAUSED BY THIS EMERGENCY?

Search online for reputable sources of information which may provide a solution. Check if there is a groundswell of similar opinion and if any petition has been created to lobby government. Contact our helpline—we can advise if your situation is shared by other members and what we are doing to lobby on your behalf.

WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE IF MY CUSTOMER IS DELAYING PAYMENT OR WON’T PAY FOR COMPLETED WORK STATING THE REASON IS THIS EMERGENCY?

The client can only withhold or delay payment in line with the terms of the contract not due to the emergency.

WHAT CONDITIONS SHOULD I INCLUDE IN ANY NEW QUOTATION?

Any quotation being issued or contracts for works being signed where the project needs to be commenced or undertaken during the COVID-19 outbreak, it would be prudent to include a clause that allows for delay or disruption for unknown viruses, or biological contamination.

We would also advise speaking to your client with regards to existing ongoing contracts and how you can work together through this outbreak to put into place an agreed procedure for any delay that may be incurred.

WHAT IS THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DOING TO KEEP BUSINESS GOING IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE?

The Construction Leadership Council along with our umbrella body Build UK, CECA and the FMB have written to the Prime Minister emphasising that it is vital that construction sites are able to remain open.

Be aware that this is all subject to change and we will aim to update our pages as and when more information becomes available. E&OE