Working at Alert Level 3 updates — and other useful info

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By RMBA chief executive David Kelly

We are now at Level 3, which means that you can get back to work at business premises or on sites. To do this, a Covid-19 control plan must be set in place, with appropriate health and safety and physical distancing measures for staff and any building occupants (especially for house renovations).

Following the protocols is not optional — it is a requirement. They were an important part in the Government’s decision to allow the construction sector to get back to work.

If protocols are not followed, individual sites can be closed down, and the sector as a whole will lose trust that we can operate responsibly and safely.

Copies of the protocols for commercial and residential projects can be accessed from the CHASNZ web site here.

CHASNZ also provides a range of tools and resources such as WorkSafe Covid-19 control plans, site checklists posters and health declaration forms. You can access these and more here.

Health and safety protocols for display homes

The protocols for display homes are now available and are available from the CHASNZ web site. These protocols focus on ensuring safe distance between clients and employees, site cleanliness and contact tracing.

Covid-19 on-site apps

The ConstructSafe App is available for download, and provides tools to help with the requirements of working under Covid-19 alert levels.

ConstructSafe allows you to connect with more than 90,000 other users so you can communicate and share your knowledge and experiences.

You don’t need to complete the ConstructSafe assessment, you only need to register either as yourself or as a business to access the tools. More information about the app is available here.

Alternatively, SiteSoft has released its Covid-19 Healthy Site feature as part of its SiteConnect site management software.

Using geo-fencing technology, it is designed to take the hard work out of new tracking and tracing requirements.

Until the end of May, SiteSoft is offering its software at a 10% discount to all Registered Master Builders. Full details of the new feature and SiteConnect software can be found here or contact them on +64 800 748 763.

Make suicide prevention a key part of “back to work” programmes

Before Covid-19, the New Zealand construction sector already had a major problem with mental health and suicide. As new research comes through, it is only now that the industry is realising that the problem is much worse than originally thought, and the picture is only now being clarified.

Click here to access the MATES web site for further information.

Now that the country has moved back into Level 3, there is an awareness that the pressures of the lockdown could yet make a bad situation even worse for many people in the industry.

Consider the following:

Ensure that MATES is part of back to work plans for your company under Level 3.

The MATES mental health induction pack has been developed to support everyone going back to work on site. It offers guides, posters, videos and a presentation which can be integrated into inductions and briefings onsite.

MATES can deliver simple support programmes onsite to your staff. Under Levels 2 and 3 we can deliver the MATE programme, a conversation similar to a Toolbox Talk.

MATES delivers online support to individuals and teams via their free online Lunch Room, where workers can come together for a chat to help them cope with anxiety, stress and worries amid this uncertain time.

Case Management support is available to everyone, online and onsite.

MATES is here to help, so call 0800 11 315 or free text 5353 any time day or night.

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