While Government guidance was that the construction industry could continue during lockdown, we took the decision to temporarily close our business to put the health and safety of our customers, employees and contractors first.
As we start to get back up and running we have been preparing new working practices to allow us to follow government guidelines and reopen our sites in a safe and controlled manner.
As we restart here are some of the measures that are being carried out to help ensure we continue building safely:
Safety first: Everyone must remain 2m apart at all times. Where this is not possible, contact must be kept to an absolute minimum and protective equipment such as face masks and gloves should be used where appropriate.
Revised site layouts: Sites will have wider walkways and passing points, new floor and wall signage to support social distancing as well as more hand washing facilities.
New ways of working: A Social Distancing Marshal will be on site to ensure compliance with the new procedures. We will also stagger start times to minimise peak time travel to sites and we will limit the number of people on site generally and in site offices and canteens.
Working as a team: Our contractors must update risk assessments for managing social distancing and infection control, which will need to be approved by our Site Management before work starts.
Rapid reaction: We will respond quickly should someone fall ill, alerting anyone likely to have been in contact with the individual, immediately isolating any affected areas and carrying out specialist deep cleans.
Hygiene: Cleaning and disinfecting of communal areas and welfare facilities such as toilets washrooms and canteens to take place more regularly with a schedule in place.
If you are in the process of buying a home with us, we will be in touch as soon as we have an update on your estimated completion date.
As we restart construction, we will be listening to official advice and our people, continuously adjusting our approach and updating our guidance's.
Thank you for your continued understanding and patience.