Date: 01/06/2020
Fortem have a long running presence in Birmingham where they have been carrying out repairs to much of the city’s housing stock since 2008. Since then the team has grown as they widen their remit of work for Birmingham City Council.
- Revised Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) have been requested from all subcontractors, all of which have been approved by Fortem’s Health, Safety & Environment team before communicating to the relevant trades
- The team produced site specific rules in compliance with the latest CLC guidance, and had them printed as signage to be displayed at entrances to site. This outlined the requirements of anyone entering the site.
- Toolbox Talks delivered to all site personnel covering the guidance provided in the current government issued ‘site standard operating procedures’
- Fortem have provided the supply chain with numbered arm bands as a way of pairing up individuals who would be working together to ensure that small working groups remained the same.
- One way systems implemented
- Hand sanitising stations on entrances/exits to/from sites
- Supply Chain encouraged to travel to work in their own vehicle or if they have to share, follow government guidelines
- 2m markers placed around the sites. Barriers and signage also used when working in communal areas to maintain 2m distance from residents and members of the public.
- Social distancing signs displayed throughout the site including in the site compound and welfare areas
- Staggered times for break to reduce capacity in welfare areas
- Permit to Work introduced for works within 2m.
- Full PPE/RPE used by all site personnel including gloves and mask
- Regular site visits from the Fortem H&S team to ensure standards are maintained. A checklist have also been developed by the team and given to the site managers for use every Friday to ensure their site continues to comply with current government guidelines.
- Clean down of common surfaces at 2 hour intervals and sign off sheets at the various locations.
- Two supply chains were secured to carry out decontamination sprays of the welfare facilities every Monday and Thursday, as the chemicals used are effective to eradicate viruses and bacteria for up to 72 hours.
