Construction needs specific COVID-19 working practice guidelines

As well as offering member guidance on government intervention and stopping the transmission and spread of COVID-19, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) has been frequently speaking to its members about safe practices they have implemented in their businesses and on site.

Industry does not want to stop working and this puts construction in an unenviable position, especially as the last time we saw industry grind to a halt in 2008, many businesses closed for good, with workers permanently leaving construction.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “Over the past two months, we have regularly spoken with members to understand how they are mitigating the spread of COVID-19 on their sites and what business practices they have implemented to ensure workers and the public remain safe.

Many projects are on open air sites with workers being provided with personal protection equipment, such as masks and told to stay two metres apart. This considerably reduces risk and contact but we are also working on guidance with our members, which we believe ensures that projects can remain operational.

With almost half of the construction industry being self-employed and pipelines taking months to acquire, our industry does not want to stop working. Until we are told by the Government to down tools, we will be doing everything we can to support the safest possible working environment.”

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

ONS Private Rent and House Prices Index- May 2026

The latest ONS house price figures show that the sales market that is broadly flat. Average UK house prices were unchanged year-on-year at £268,000 in March 2026, with annual house price inflation slowing from 1.7% in February to 0.0% in March. Main points Average UK monthly private rents increased by 3.5%, to £1,381, in the…
Read More
Overseas Property

Cyprus in demand as international property inquiries spike

Interest in Cyprus has more than tripled since the start of March, while sales to non-EU buyers have spiked by more than a fifth Cyprus is the best option for residency by investment in a major EU Mediterranean country, after Spain closed its Golden Visa in April 2025 and Portugal closed the property route in…
Read More
Breaking News

Inflation falls to 2.8%

Industry response to the latest inflation figures and their impact on the housing market.   Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark “It is very welcome news to see inflation dip this month; however, today’s figures still sit some distance away from the Bank of England’s target rate of 2%. It remains important to consider continued overall…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

London gardens can add more than £205,000 in value

Ahead of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, research by Enness Global has revealed that a garden can add more than £205,000 to the value of a London home, whilst Chelsea fittingly boasts the highest degree of garden availability for high-net-worth homebuyers in the current market. Enness Global has also revealed the top five trends currently…
Read More
Breaking News

RRA raises the cost of getting property management wrong

The latest insight from property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, suggests that the relatively modest cost of professional property management could help landlords avoid thousands of pounds in potential penalties and compliance failures as the rental sector becomes increasingly regulated under the Renters’ Rights Act.   Rushbrook & Rathbone analysed the average cost of a…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Future of Urban Real Estate: Trends and Predictions for 2026

Affordability pressures, hybrid work arrangements, and steep borrowing costs are heavy influences on urban real estate for 2026. We’re seeing an increase in mixed-use development and a renewed focus from investors on markets with a steady demand. Markets that can balance housing access, transportation, lifestyle amenities, and flexible workplaces will come out on top. Major…
Read More