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Covid-19 Resources List

Below we have collated a number of resources from MBIE, BRANZ, the NZIA and more to help you prepare for a back-to-construction scenario and beyond.

 

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UPDATED 29 MAY 2020

ENTERING LEVEL 2 This update is to bring you further resources to help ensure your Level 2 practices are in-line with legislation and safety advice. 

Business Toolkit Resources to help your business operate safely — including posters, signs, and contact tracing templates. https://covid19.govt.nz/businesses-and-employees/business-toolkit/

NZIA - COVID-19 - Administering a Contract advice These Advisories highlight the key information that the Architect and Engineer needs to consider as they navigate the standard and the protocols, to help assist, both the Principal and the Contractor in creating a safe work environment while ensuring compliance with SCC 2018, NZS 3910 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
COVID-19 – The Architect’s role in administering a contract (SCC:2018) under Alert Level 2 
COVID-19 – The Engineer’s role in administering a contract (NZS 3910:2013) under Alert Level 2

NZIA - COVID-19 - Alert Level 2 residential and commercial case studies
The following residential and commercial case studies highlight the practical measures two contractors have introduced to minimise the transmission of COVID-19 amongst those who have returned to site.  They were guided by the CHASNZ standard and protocols.
COVID-19 – Returning to work under Alert Level 2: Residential Case Study (Contractor’s perspective) 
COVID-19 – Returning to work under Alert Level 2: Commercial case study (Contractor's perspective)

MBIE - Alert level 2 information for the building and construction sector During COVID-19 Alert Level 2, most work can be carried out in the building and construction sector but physical distancing still remains in place.

CHASNZ level 2 resources The documents below refer to the working standards and protocols at alert level 2.

Vertical and Horizontal Protocols Download Protocols for Vertical (Commercial) and Horizontal (Civil) Construction (Updated 11 May).

Residential Construction Protocols Download the Residential Construction Protocols (Updated 11 May).

Display Home Protocols Download the protocols relating to Residential Construction Display Home and Selection Centre Limited Operation(updated 29 April).

MBIE Alert Level 2 MBIE - Alert level 2 information for the building and construction sector.

MBIE Guidance MBIE Guidance - Council and Professional Services information.

Video: Getting back to work on building sites

Your Guide to Perfect PPE Make sure you’re following PPE requirements by following these steps.

Concrete NZ Guidance for Builders and Contractors. April 29, 2020 Concrete NZ has prepared these guidelines to assist builders and contractors with ordering and the delivery of ready mixed concrete to building sites.

Concrete NZ - Staying Safe on and off the site Provides guidance to keep concrete industry workers, and those affected by their activities, safe and healthy under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 and below.

MBIE - Alert level 2 Alert level 2 information for the building and construction sector.

MBIE - Professional Guidance Council and Professional Services information.

LEVEL 3

MBIE - COVID-19: Building and construction sector guidance. Find out how to prepare for different COVID-19 Alert Levels if you’re in the building and construction sector, or a supplier to the sector.

MBIE - Get prepared for working at Alert Level 3. At Alert level 3, most building and construction sector business can go back to work. This is a quick overview of how to prepare to open your doors or get back on site.

COVID-19 CHASNZ Construction Protocols. Links to COVID-19 CHASNZ Construction Protocols for alert levels 3 & 2 below. Links or documents are lodged on the Masterspec web site under "Masterspec Project Forms".
COVID-19 Standard for New Zealand Construction Operations
COVID-19 Horizontal and Vertical Construction Protocols

BRANZ - Guidance for returning to building sites under Alert Level 3. Contains information on the durability of materials over lockdown.

COVID-19 - Administering a contract under the new health and safety standards for construction (Alert Level 3). This Advisory from the NZIA highlights the key information that the Architect needs to consider as they navigate the NZIA Standard Construction Contract 2018 (SCC 2018) and the two sets of protocols in creating safe work systems on site to ensure compliance with SCC 2018 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. 

Guidance for public sector agencies dealing with the contractual implications for construction projects of the COVID-19 lockdown period. This Guidance via constructionaccord.nz is intended for all internal and external project leads within Government agencies. They establish a legal framework around losses during construction freezes and the mechanisms that may be available to support Contractors.

Your COVID-19 safety plan – what you need to think about. From Worksafe New Zealand, this page sets out their approach to Lavel 4, Level 3 and beyond. Under alert level 3 all businesses that are permitted to resume operations need to have a COVID-19 safety plan that sets out how they’ll operate safely. This is a comprehensive resource and includes a downloadable Covid-19 Safety Plan Template.

Covid-19 Guidance for the Specifier. 

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Masterspec's Managing Editor Alex Shaw suggests how using the above can help ensure your project fulfils its obligations to provide safe working conditions on site and ensure the correct documentation.

 

Communication is the key

We are all in this together, so working together is going to be essential to making things work under COVID-19 construction restrictions. In order to work together without proximity, we need good communications between, Principal, Consultants, Contractor and others. Ensure the right cooperative environment is created to mutually resolve, in a timely manner, the issues that will crop up.

Disseminate Information
To ensure everybody is on the same page disseminate the relevant information from what is listed above. It should be issued for information only, at this point do not make it part of your Contract or Specification. Effectively the Government response to COVID-19 has resulted in an effective change in law. The guides, protocols and standards listed above (and elsewhere) are virtually sanctioned by Government, and most will be administered and interpreted by WorkSafe.

Principal's Site Health and Safety Plan
If the Principal has an existing plan or intends to write one, this should be referred to in the Masterspec section 1220 PROJECT, clause (1.9 unmodified) PRINCIPAL'S SITE HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN. This clause does not need further amendment. These plans are some times required for non-residential sites/buildings that remain occupied during construction. The plan will need to be updated to incorporate COVID requirements.

Contractors Health and Safety Plan
The Contractors Health and Safety Plan, referred to in the Masterspec section 1260 PROJECT MANAGEMENT, clause (1.36 unmodified) HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN, will now need to incorporate COVID requirements. No amendments to the Masterspec standard health and safety clauses is necessary as the wording is enough to encompass the compliance with relevant documents like the COVID, guides, protocols and standards.
Ensure the Contractor has a H&S Plan in place before opening the site. Along with the Principal review the H&S Plan.

Designer Site Observation
For levels 3 & 2, avoid going to site unless absolutely necessary. Use digital options when possible and practical. If unavoidable, follow the Contractors H&S requirements and general COVID-19 guidance. Don't go if feeling unwell. Site meetings must be digital meetings.

Increased Cost and Time
It is quite possible that some increased construction costs and time will occur. How these should be treated will depend on the Conditions of Contract used. Most Contracts do not cover a pandemic and the results that we are experiencing, however some Contracts, like NZS 3910, indirectly do. In most cases, such a situation would necessitate a negotiated solution, possibly leading to issuing of variations and/or extensions of time. Legal and/or expert advice may be necessary.