Now, more than ever, it is important for us to focus on training wherever we can as more contractors return to work, but equally, many are stuck at home on furlough.
The most recent update from CITB, highlights a new Toolbox talk that they will be launching shortly in response to COVID-19. CITB say the aim of the Toolbox Talk is to support industry to ensure safety guidance is followed during COVID-19. It also includes a range of other useful documents including interactive site compliance checklist, risk assessment templates and weekly compliance checklist. The Toolbox Talk – delivered to construction workers by their manager or supervisor – will ensure their workforce has a clear understanding of what the CLC’s COVID-19 safe operating practices are. It will reinforce core basic principles of site safety in a brief, accessible way. NFRC have also produced a useful toolbox talk to support Version 3 of the Site Operating Procedures and this can be downloaded freely from their website.
As valuable and as essential as these new training resources are, we must also remember to carry out ‘day to day’ training too to ensure that construction quality remains high and that corners are not cut.
One of the biggest problems for the single ply industry is damage to the single ply membrane post installation by other operative and activities. SPRA responded to this problem back in 2018 and created new Damage Protection Guidance which includes a toolbox talk. These toolbox talks do not have to be lengthy, in fact it is much better if they are short and sweet, so that the important points are understood and put into action.
And if you are not working at the moment, and you want to brush up your single ply knowledge, then you can take the SPRA online training module. We are currently undertaking our regular healthcheck of the programme, but it should not interfere with access. It is also free and successful candidates receive a certificate at the end which can be used towards CPD.
Source: SPRA, CITB, NFRC