There are so many grey areas with the guidance/rules/law that anyone wanting to be compliant can easily find themselves in uncertain territory and anyone wanting to break the spirit of them can probably find a loophole.
I am trying to stay safe, I am asking people to stay at a distance and I at least am wearing a mask, but it's difficult. There are trades working on our house build. We need this house, we are currently having to live in rented which is not financially sustainable for us long term, and as far as I know construction is not shut down.
On Friday I spent almost the whole day there. I had to be present when UK Power Networks's subbie came to do some work, and to check on the finishing off by the frame erectors. At one point there were c. 13 people on site (6 roofers, 2 erectors, frame supplier's contracts manager, my PM, the bloke digging the hole for the electricity cable, another delivering fascia and soffit, and me. I was back there yesterday mediating between the contractor providing the ventilation system and the roofers who will fit the tile vents. I'm there most days for one thing or another.
I'm not sure whether I've had COVID or not. I certainly think it's worth avoiding and I try to do what I think I need to do safely but I have no certainty as to whether I am actually complying with the law or not. My story would be that I am working - I am technically a self builder and whilst nobody is paying me I think I am doing the work of a self builder.
Nevertheless I'm sure an officious PC could issue me a ticket if he or she really wanted to.
Fortunately I think my hi vis jacket, muddy rigger boots and hard hat will probably save me from interference.
I am worried that construction will be stopped at some point. A massive blind eye is being turned and the onus has been put on the workers to be compliant. Reality is that it isn't happening in most cases because people do work together and indeed arrive in the same van in some cases.
Of course the temperament of many doesn't help them. I have decided that the special power of most tradesmen is their ability to find unique ways of doing things that break as many rules as possible. When challenged they give the most incredible reasons.
As for the police sitting together drinking coffee, that's a provocation whether legal or not. The erectors and roofers have been working outdoors in freezing conditions and there is a cafe on the nearby industrial estate which is closed, but doing take-aways. If there were police in there having their morning coffee and I was waiting outside for mine after 2-3 hours on the roof I'd definitely be dobbing them in.
Last edited by: Manatee on Sun 10 Jan 21 at 12:08
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