HSE stops routine inspections

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has suspended routine inspections amid safety fears over the coronavirus outbreak.

The watchdog said it will continue to respond to serious issues but it has limited contact between individuals to ensure it is following government advice. It has halted work that cannot be completed from home, aside from essential tasks.

An HSE spokesperson said that the organisation "remains committed to responding to any serious issues that arise, in construction or any other sector, and our enforcement priorities have not changed".

"However, in line with government guidance to cease all but essential work that cannot be done outside of the home, minimising contact between individuals, HSE has paused all proactive inspections at this time to reduce any risk posed to our own staff and to members of the public,” he said.

Current guidance from government is that construction sites can continue to operate and that employees should follow Public Health England guidelines, which include maintaining a two-metre distance from others, and washing hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water is not available.

The Construction Leadership Council has issued guidance on safe operating procedures for sites.