As we are sure you are aware, there is a new, more infectious variant of Coronavirus sweeping across the UK. As of the time of writing (23.12.20), construction is not affected, and you are permitted to continue to go to work so please report back to your site as normal when you resume work in the new year. We will keep a close eye on this over the Christmas period, but we don't expect this advice to change.

We wanted to remind all workers of the latest Covid-19 symptoms. Please read the below which has been taken from NHS.UK Website.

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

  • A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Self-Isolation

Anybody who meets one of the above criteria should NOT come to site and notify us immediately.

Procedure if you fall ill whilst at work

If you develop a high temperature, a new or persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste whilst at work, you should:

  • Inform your supervisor of how you are feeling and your intention to leave site immediately.
  • Return home immediately.
  • Avoid touching anything.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue and put I into in a bin. If you do not have any tissues, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
  • You must then follow the guidance on self-isolation and not return to work until their period of self-isolation has been completed.

What to do if you have symptoms

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

  1. Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
  2. You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.

Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.

Follow the link to get a test to check if you have coronavirus on GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
PLEASE NOTIFY MPS OF YOUR TEST RESULTS AS SOON AS YOU RECIEVE THEM.

Please read ‘Updated Guidance for MPS Crane Operators’ below, to remind yourself of the necessary precautions you should be taking whilst on site.

You may also find the below links useful:
Working Safely During COVID-19 (Construction)
Build UK Site Operating Procedures

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Tel: +44(0) 1443 238 452
Email: [email protected]

Lifting Teams Available

As construction sites across the UK continue to open, at MPS Crane Operators we remain fully functioning and able to offer you full lifting teams on site.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have refined our approach to crane operator assessments to ensure they align with the current social distancing guidelines. We are utilising the latest in technology, using 360 degree cameras to bring the crane to the operator. This gives both assessor and operator full access to the crane cab and the controls, without the need for them to be in the cab together where social distancing is not possible. To see a working example, please click here.

Prior to returning to site, all MPS operators are receiving a Back to Work Toolbox Talk by our Health, Safety & Training Manager via video conference call, or directly on site by one of our team of assessors. This talk details the operators’ own responsibilities when on site.

All MPS operators have also been reminded of the importance of the cleanliness of the crane they are operating, and have been instructed to follow a strict cleaning regime. It is imperative that the operational crane cabin be in a clean and hygienic condition prior, during and after work has taken place.

We continue to provide:

  • Tower Crane Operators
  • Pedestrian Operated Tower Crane Operators
  • Crawler Crane Operators
  • Compact Crane Operators
  • Mobile Crane Operators
  • Appointed Persons (Lifting Operations)
  • Crane Supervisors (Lifting Operations)
  • Slinger/Signallers

Every operator we supply is assessed by us free of charge.

If you need quality crane personnel, contact MPS today.

Tel: +44(0) 1443 238 452

Email: [email protected]

 

Updated Guidance for MPS Crane Operators

As sites across the UK continue to adjust to the new way of working, we would like to remind our operators of the necessary precautions you should all be taking.

Before commencing work, make sure of the following:

  • The PPE you are required to wear.
  • The method of application.
  • Where you are required to wear it.
  • Where you can source a replacement.

Access/Egress To/From the Tower Crane

It is important that whilst on site you have minimum personal contact with any personnel. Before accessing the tower crane, make sure through consultation with your crane supervisor that the route is a controlled environment whereby no physical interface is possible. This also applies at the end of the shift/driver change over. Should you be accessing the crane as a relief operator on a crane already in work, then communication with the incumbent operator must be confirmed to ensure social distancing and appropriate cleaning procedures. With sensible and controlled planning this should not prove to be a problem.

Before accessing the Tower crane make sure of the following:

  • You have the necessary PPE on your person correctly.
  • You are aware of the exact route to the crane.
  • You have made the Crane Supervisor or Slinger/Signaller aware you are about to access the crane.
  • You have had clearance from the C/S or S/S that the route is clear.
  • If you are on relief duties the incumbent operator is aware of your movements.
  • You have agreed method/procedure to avoid encroachment of social distancing. For example, during access the departing operator to take temporary “refuge” on the machine deck.

Pre-Operational Clean

Before accessing the crane please ensure you have made full and proper use of hand sanitiser facilities on site and/or have enough latex gloves to carry out cleaning duties.

It is imperative that the operational crane cabin be in a clean and hygienic condition prior, during and after work has taken place. The crane cabin features whilst slightly differing from manufacturer to manufacturer are basically the same in lay out and not too difficult to clean.

Before starting work open all windows and doors for a couple of minutes for ventilation. Following that process make sure you wipe down all areas of the crane cabin with anti-bacterial wipes. This includes joysticks, switches, door handles, grab rails, window latches, levers, seat adjustment levers, shelves, display screens and windows.

At the end of the shift OR driver change the same procedure as applied at the start of the shift must be applied.

All wiping down MUST be done with anti-bacterial wipes and preferably whilst wearing gloves.

If you need assistance with obtaining these products, then please contact us and we will post some to you.

Before putting the crane to work have you:

  • Make use of the hand sanitiser facilities and/or Latex Gloves.
  • If using gloves got enough spare pairs.
  • Got the correct PPE on.
  • Got enough cleaning anti-bacterial wipes.
  • Aware of the area’s and method of cleaning.

Social Distancing

Due to the unique operating environment of the tower crane, there will be minimal risk of encroachment of the 2m social distance whilst up in the crane. However, all situations must be considered. Outlined below are several scenarios and the appropriate procedures required.

General Movement Around Site

This must be kept to a bare minimum and could/will include access from security to welfare facilities such as toilets, drying rooms and office buildings. Whilst there may be reasons where this is unavoidable it is critical that diligence and observation of the 2m rule be observed.

Relief Operator

Should there be a requirement for a relief operator then the need to eliminate the risk of contravention of the 2m guidance is important. As stated in the Access/Egress To/From the Tower Crane section precise planning must be made including communication and refuge areas.

Self-Isolation

Anybody who is showing ANY Coronavirus symptoms must NOT come to site and notify us immediately.

Procedure if you fall ill whilst at work

If you develop a high temperature, a new or persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste whilst at work, you should:

  • Inform your supervisor of how you are feeling and your intention to leave site immediately.
  • Return home immediately.
  • Avoid touching anything.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue and put it into in a bin. If you do not have any tissues, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
  • You must then follow the guidance on self-isolation and not return to work until their period of self-isolation has been completed.

We hope that this information finds you safe and well. Please continue to look out for both yourself and others during this difficult time.

 

Coronavirus Testing

Health secretary Matt Hancock has announced that Coronavirus testing has now been extended to construction workers showing symptoms of COVID-19, along with their families.

Read more here: https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/04/28/coronavirus-testing-extended-to-construction-workers/

Testing can be booked here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The latest COVID-19 symptoms are as follows:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with Coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms. You can read more here.

We would again like to reiterate that if ANY member of the lifting team begins to show symptoms of COVID-19, or starts feeling unwell, of the vital importance of notifying site management immediately so the necessary precautions can be acted upon.