The construction industry has now published a revised standard and protocols for ongoing operations under Level 1
The key changes from Level 2 are:
- The relaxing of physical distancing requirements on site. Workplaces and workers are still encouraged to maintain one metre; however, this is not a hard requirement.
- Construction sites are still required to sign in and out workers to assist with contact tracing should this be necessary.
- Personal hygiene should be maintained, this means workers should regularly wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
- Workplaces should maintain regular cleaning of common areas such as bathrooms, meeting rooms and surfaces.
- Workers should only come to work if they are free from flu and cold symptoms
- Emergency response plans are still to be in place.
These changes are consistent with the government’s “golden rules” for Alert Level 1 which are:
- If you are sick, stay home. Do not go to work or school. Do not socialise
- If you have cold or flu symptoms call your doctor or Healthline and make sure you get tested.
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow, and regularly disinfect shared surfaces.
- If you are told by health authorities to self-isolate you must do so immediately.
- If you are concerned about your wellbeing, or have underlying health conditions, work with your GP to understand how best to stay healthy.
- Keep track of where you have been and who you have seen to help contact tracing if needed. Use the NZ COVID Tracer app as a handy way of doing this.
- Businesses should help people keep track of their movements by displaying the Ministry of Health QR Code for contact tracing.
- Stay vigilant. There is still a global pandemic going on. People and businesses should be prepared to act fast to step up Alert Levels if we need to do that.
- People will have had different experiences over the last couple of months. Whatever you are feeling — it’s okay. Be kind to others. Be kind to yourself.
The standard and protocols are now available on the CHASNZ website and was provided by the residential, vertical and horizontal working groups, led by Site Safe, CCNZ, Master Builders and Certified Builders.
Click here for the full Vertical and Horizontal Construction Protocols document
Click here for the full Residential Construction Protocols document
