Safety first as Scottish construction industry heads for restart

04 May 2020

Construction leaders are taking steps to ensure safety first in builders’ merchants across Scotland as the sector gears up to restart for essential projects.

The move comes as the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) received clarification from the Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, on the range of construction projects classified as essential.

Based on the response, the trade body has now written to its members - which operate from 420 branches and 26 manufacturing sites across Scotland - setting out the Scottish Government guidelines.

It has also signposted members to branch operating procedures, developed by the BMF to ensure supplies can be obtained in line with Covid-19 restrictions, as builders and plumbers carry out essential repairs and maintenance.

John Newcomb, BMF chief executive, said: “We believe there are now sufficient signs of demand and an appetite by builders and contractors who are returning to work to encourage merchants to re-open for business, providing it is safe to do so.

“The safety of merchant staff, suppliers and customers is paramount and the number one priority is to minimise the risk of transmitting coronavirus.”

To underpin safety, the BMF has produced new Branch Operating Guidelines for builders’ merchant staff to follow in the office and trade counter, for customer and supplier deliveries, customer collection and for tool hire during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The 18-page document covers procedures for phone, click/call and collect and pre-arranged orders, with no public access into shop or products.

Mr Newcomb added: “By taking web, phone or e-mail orders, trade customers can collect from the merchant or receive deliveries.

“This avoids non-essential customers coming into the premises and the risks that might arise.”

The BMF is a member of Scotland’s Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum (CICV), which is in regular contract with industry colleagues and the Scottish Government.