This project comprised the construction of an extension to the existing Medical Centre.
The extension consisted of 2 doctors rooms, a treatment room and nurses room along with a waiting area. The general construction included piled foundations with concrete reinforced ring beams, traditional brick and block cavity walls with a trussed roof. Internally the areas were traditionally furnished and decorated and included medical standard cupboards, worktops and stainless steel sinks.
The construction works were required to be carried out whilst keeping the existing centre in full operation. The works also took place in the centre’s car park, so full access for all patients and doctors during the project was a priority.
Following the UK Governments directive on Thursday 16th April to extend the lockdown period by a further 3 weeks taking us into May, the Directors of Abbott Construction have convened via video conference call to provide an update on our construction activities and operations.
As you are aware, we temporarily closed all of our sites on the 24th March when we had already put in place several additional measures in an attempt to mitigate the risks to our Employees, Clients, Key Stakeholders, Subcontractors, Supply chain and the General Public in respect of the Coronavirus, both on our sites and in our workplaces. The directives for social distancing however, made this an untenable situation to manage on all of our construction sites. This was also made more difficult due to many of our supply chain for materials, plant and goods temporarily closing their own operations.
Since that time we have continuously monitored what has been, and continues to be, unprecedented and exceptionally difficult times for everyone.
On April 15th the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) issued Version 3 of their guidelines for Site Operating Procedures ‘Protecting Your Workforce During Coronavirus (COVID-19)’. These procedures (SOP’s) are based on Public Health England (PHE) guidance and have far reaching implications for the operations on site for everyone’s workforces during his pandemic.
The Directors of Abbott Construction remain resolute and committed in our duty of care, and aim to protect and keep safe everyone involved or associated with our business activities. For this reason, we are currently in the process of carrying out an in depth site specific review of each of our projects given the last Government directives and CLC guidelines. These reviews are being made in line with our Health & Safety advisors. Our priority is to ensure that we not only protect our workforce, but also minimise the risk of spread of infection whilst implementing the Governments social distancing recommendations.
PHE affirm that the health and safety requirements of any construction activity must not be compromised at this time. If an activity cannot be undertaken safely, it should not take place.
Once this review has been completed, which we anticipate will be by the end of this week (24th April), we will be better placed to update you further.
Until that time all of our sites will remain closed.
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support and understanding in these times of uncertainty and we hope you all continue to stay safe.
