Steeple Claydon Parish Council

The Alliance's site facilities, operational work faces and major compounds have all been reviewed and arrangements regularly updated in accord with construction industry best practice from the first issue of their guidance in March 2020. Our Covid-19 operating procedures have once again been reviewed this week in order to ensure their currency.

Chief among the controls operated by the Alliance and its supply chain are regular Covid-19 arrangements briefings, compliance reviews and the employment of Covid-19 Marshals to ensure continued adherence.

In common with all Network Rail projects, all of the workforce are also subject to random reviews of fitness for work.

At least one of our supply chain partners have extended their return to work reviews on our sites this week to include Covid-19 rapid testing, with the ability therefore to exclude from site any staff testing positive.

All of our main compound signing on points are equipped with thermal imaging temperature scanner for personal temperature monitoring. These scanners use a camera with a built-in thermal temperature reader and are non-invasive. They provide an accurate temperature reading while ensuring there is no physical contact with the equipment or any other staff members (i.e. reception/site security).
If a high temperature is identified, the individual will be asked to exit the building via the appropriate exit, or in an isolated area at our compounds, rest for 10 minutes and return to take a second reading. If a high temperature is recorded on their second attempt, the individual will not be permitted to continue with their visit or to access site and will be advised to return home by Covid-19 safe means and to follow government/employer's advice re detection of Covid-19 symptoms.

The Site Operating Procedures also provide clear guidance to our workforce on the following matters:

*             When to Travel to Work
*             Guidelines by which workers should or should not travel to work
*             Procedure if someone falls ill
*             NHS Test & Trace - Early Outbreak Management
*             Travel to Work
*             Driving at Work
*             Site Access and Egress Points
*             Use of Face Coverings
*             Hand Washing
*             Toilet Facilities
*             Canteens and Rest Areas
*             Changing Facilities, Showers and Drying Rooms
*             Moving around site cabins/offices
*             Site Meetings
*             Work Planning to Avoid Close Working
*             First Aid and Emergency Response
*             Cleaning
*             Deliveries and Drivers

A number of the above matters listed as appropriate include specific guidance and requirements to our workforce in terms of their activities and operations within our neighbourhood communities in terms of minimising disturbance, nuisance and maintaining Covid-19 safety.
The Alliance considers that is operating in a Covid-19 secure manner.

I hope that the measures East West Rail Alliance are taking provides reassurance to the local community.

Kind regards,

Thaina Sa'id
Community Liaison Officer



2nd Floor | Phoenix House | Elder Gate | Milton Keynes | MK9 1AW
Mob: 07385368661
Email: bsaid@ewralliance.co.uk



-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Landells 
Sent: 05 January 2021 09:00
To: Sa'id, Buthaina <bsaid@ewralliance.co.uk>
Cc: phil calvertgreenparish; Frank Mahon ; Bob Evans ; Macpherson, Angela - (County Councillor) <; Andrea Curtis 
Subject: Covid Testing

Good morning, as most of us are under lockdowns but EWR are allowed to continue to work would you please confirm that everyone working on the project on sites locally is being regularly tested. I ask as clearly your workers travel to work, some from considerable distances, but also use the food facilities in our local villages. So far we have been reasonably free of the virus and the last thing we need now is any risk of spread. The statistics seem to suggest a one or so percent infection rate so that needs to factored in to a workforce of your size. The new strain is clearly more likely to be spread and our resident populations are now confined to barracks save ironically pretty much going to the same food facilities as your workers use.
Interested to know what EWR are doing to reduce the risk.

Regards

Roger