CICV Welcome Return to Work in Scotland

The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has welcomed the first steps to get the sector back to work in Scotland, announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, last week (21 May).

The CICV has also insisted that health, safety, and collaboration must be at the forefront of the phased return. The collective, which has been working towards a restart with a number of bodies, including the Construction Leadership Forum, commented after Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland would get the ball rolling on reopening construction sites by the end of this week (28 May), alongside other measures.

Under the phased return to work being introduced, business will be allowed to resume working on sites, based on the six-point plan the Scottish Government developed with the industry. Collaboration and cooperation with businesses and trade unions are important to ensure a safe return to work for all.

The key focus on safety has been promoted by the Forum, which has also successfully produced a wide range of industry advice on how sites can operate in a safe manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaughan Hart, Managing Director of Forum member the Scottish Building Federation, said: “The shutdown in Scotland has been one of the biggest challenges the sector has ever faced and, while we wholeheartedly welcome the return to work, it must be carried out in the proper manner.

“This means that the health and safety of operatives is paramount, and the correct guidance and procedures must be adhered to at every phase of the proposed route map. The Forum has been at the forefront of helping the industry by clarifying advice and this effort will now come into its own.”

The Forum also has plans to release more guidance to help business owners, contractors and apprentices through each stage of their phased return, with advice for construction sites, domestic work and colleges also being available.

Alan Wilson, Chair of the CICV Forum and Managing Director of SELECT, the electrotechnical trade body for Scotland, said: “This is the news we have been waiting for and it has not come a moment too soon.

“We all understand the reasons why Scotland has been in virtual shutdown since March, and we all need to work together to assist the sector as it faces an uphill struggle to recover.”

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