As the easing of lockdown measures continues, the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has launched a new social media campaign, urging workers to stay safe in their social lives.
Using two animations, the collective is calling on staff to protect colleagues by following physical distancing guidelines in their private lives, as well as in the workplace.
Designed to be shared on social media, the campaign coincides with the reopening of bars and restaurants, and makes it clear that any good work achieved through on-site best practice could be undone if habits are relaxed in pubs or other social gatherings.
Rebecca Crosland, health and safety advisor at CICV Forum member, the Building Engineering Services Association, said: “It is important to hammer home the message that this dangerous bug has not gone away, and that we all need to remain vigilant at home as well at work to prevent a resurgence.
“Once again, we are presenting the key points in a simple and entertaining format, which is eye-catching as well as informative. Operatives have responded magnificently to guidance in the workplace and we are sure they will respond positively to this further reminder.”
The first short film features a construction worker called Campbell and the message: “Campbell is COVID-19 smart. Campbell keeps to the physical distancing rules. Campbell doesn’t break those rules in his spare time. Be like Campbell. Be COVID-19 smart.”
A second animation features another construction worker called Fiona, who also observes physical distancing in her spare time to help protect her colleagues when she returns to work. The message is repeated on open source posters, designed to be printed out and displayed in workplaces.
Iain Mason, director of membership and communications at SELECT and chair of the Forum’s communications sub-group, said: “We have made huge strides in getting core safety messaging accepted and applied on-site, in depots and in construction offices.
“Now we need to reiterate that and urge our workforces not to relax their guard in their time away from work. I’m sure that everyone will understand that it would be dispiriting to throw away the gains we have made by not abiding by the distancing rules at all times.”
The latest campaign follows a recent animation in which the Forum outlined the key health and safety steps that all staff should take during the return to work.
