I hope you are safe and well in the current climate.

I’m taking the opportunity to update you following the latest Scottish Government advice confirmed in the First Minister’s statement on 28 May 2020. As you may be aware, we were given clearance to progress with the tasks and measures as detailed in Phases 1 of the “Route Map through and out of the Crisis” recently published by Scottish Government.

In reaction to this news we are mobilising resources to allow us to progress with works in accordance with the parameters of the permitted phase and are doing so in a safe and responsible manner. Our Construction Management Team together with assistance from our Technical Support departments are producing updated and new documentation, workplace rules and procedures that comply with the legislation and applicable guidance in relation to managing operations both in our office and on our construction sites.

I am satisfied after consultation with our Construction Director and Health & Safety Manager, that we have sufficient measures, procedures and systems in place, that where absolutely necessary which allowed me, from 1 June 2020, to have staff return to our Head Office in Aberuthven, on a phased, intermittent and controlled basis. In addition to this, once given further direction in terms of timescale for moving to Phase 2, we intend to organise our site management teams and our own labour to begin putting in place the site preparation  as laid out in Phase 1, on all of our projects.

Whilst the statement on 28 May 2020 offered us encouragement, this needs to be tempered by the fact that we are not in a position as yet where we can determine when we can recommence meaningful construction works on our projects. We will continue to monitor announcements from the Government and work with our trade bodies and other parties to ensure we are progressing and acting in the correct manner and timescales.

Notwithstanding this, we are aware we need to provide client project teams with the relevant assurance that we have sufficiently robust and compliant processes and measures in place to allow us re-start on sites safely.

Our Project Management teams will shortly be in touch with Clients & consultants, to provide them with our recently produced information such as:

• Coronavirus COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Sites
• Revised Construction Phase Plan
• Revised H, S, E & Welfare Induction Presentation for Site Workers
• Revised General Site Safety Rules
• Coronavirus COVID-19 Contractors Guidance (Issued to all subcontractors)
• Revised Project Information Pack to Subcontractors and Suppliers

We will also address any specific requirements project teams may have that are not covered by the documents noted above.

We are confident that our protection strategy against the virus aligns with Government Guidance at this phase where our focus is on 2 metre physical distancing and enhanced hygiene facilities and hand-washing requirements. These will however develop as we progress through each phase.

Meantime our Pre-Construction, Estimating and Bidding Team remains active whilst working safely from home at present servicing current and new project enquiries across tenders and secured framework direct awards to ensure an ongoing forward pipeline of projects to return to. I’d encourage you to get in touch with us if we can help.

Finally I’m very proud of the resilience and commitment displayed by our people throughout this trying period for everyone and look forward to them making a full return to work and getting back to a sense of normality for us all.

Yours sincerely

Steven Brady MRICS

Managing Director