The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published a statement regarding the use of face coverings on construction sites in response to the government’s recent move to make masks mandatory in shops and public transport to tackle the rise of the omicron variant of coronavirus.
The CLC’s statement and guidance to for the industry’s use of masks is based on government guidance in England and other restrictions and advice which may apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Current government position
Employers should consider whether to ask workers to wear a face covering as part of their risk assessment. Workers may also choose to wear a face covering where it is not legally required and should be supported to do so.
The use of face coverings and/or PPE is not required in response to coronavirus whilst carrying out construction activities, and the government guidance on Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Construction and other outdoor work states: Do not encourage the precautionary use of PPE to protect against COVID-19 unless in a clinical setting or responding to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
CLC’s position
Whereas workers on site are not required to wear Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and their workplace is crowded and enclosed (which may include welfare and changing facilities, site offices, site meeting rooms or site transport) and they encounter others they do not normally meet, their employer should make face coverings available, and they should be worn.
However, in line with government guidance on hospitality settings, face coverings are not legally required to be worn in canteens.
