The Home Builders Federation and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have launched a Charter to help housebuilders reopen in line with the latest official guidance.
The Charter for Safe Working Practice – Covid-19 reflects the commitment across all parts of the industry to safe working while Covid-19 remains in effect, and the government’s support for housebuilding and sales activity, HBF said.
The Charter sets out measures that must be in place, including working with employees, subcontractors and suppliers to develop and share detailed safe working practices; only undertaking operations that can be carried out safely; and providing clean welfare facilities and handwashing points across sites.
The “high level” document will complement the more detailed protocols that the industry, government and individual builders have devised to ensure a safe return to work.
Housebuilders are being encouraged to display the Charter on their sites, demonstrating their commitment but also to allay concerns that their workforce, neighbours or customers might have, HBF explained.
Stewart Baseley, HBF’s executive chairman, said: “Over the past week or so many housebuilders have commenced a gradual return to work, in a structured way that ensures the safety of its workforce and the general public.
“The industry sustains hundreds of thousands of people in numerous roles and associated sectors, boosting local economies across the country. A resumption of work will play a major part in helping the economy recover as well as delivering the homes the country needs.
“It should also provide the supply chain with the confidence it needs to accelerate its own restart. The Charter is the public facing evidence which supports the very detailed protocols individual builders now have in place to ensure safe working on sites.”
