An important message for our Contractors

25 March 2020

Dear Contractor

Tilhill wishes to thank its contractors for their continued perseverance under what are increasingly challenging circumstances and reassure you that we are doing all we can in order to keep both our Company and yourselves working in a manner that is as much as possible – ‘business as usual’ whilst adhering to Government guidelines.

We are in the fortunate position of being able to socially distance on many of our sites but it is imperative that we all comply with Government guidance at all times.

Please ensure you:

• Travel to site in separate vehicles wherever possible
• Keep 2 metres apart while on site and don’t share equipment

We have reviewed the risk of our operations in relation to the reduced capacity of the normal emergency response to a significant incident and have taken the decision to suspend all motor manual felling. We are considering sites where this may cause additional risk on a case by case basis. Please speak with your Tilhill Manager.

Remember also:

• Welfare units to remain open.
• Ensure that you follow the Government/NHS Guidelines about hand washing and, most of all, to exercise good hygiene.
• More frequent cleaning of hard surfaces and high contact areas such as door handles using anti-bacterial products must be practised.
• Consider limiting numbers in welfare unit at any one time to maintain 2 metres, e.g. stagger break times.

Safety & Assurance Management and site management and support

Our forestry and harvesting managers and our support staff have rapidly adapted to working from home with the help and support of our robust IT systems and the hard work of our IT Team. Our managers are available as per usual on their mobiles and via email.

Our Safety & Assurance practices must be adhered to at all times. Our contractors and staff must remain safe and our sites environmentally compliant. Tilhill will therefore still be carrying out regular site inspections, and where required, AMS inspections. in order to maintain our sites to our usual high safety, environmental and quality standards.

It is imperative to understand that we must continue to provide adequate welfare facilities on our sites. We therefore expect our sites to be compliant with our standard practices at all times. Welfare units must continue to be provided and those already in situ kept open to all. Note too, the HSE’s statement;

Drivers to site – Latest HSE Statement regarding welfare in relation to the Coronavirus:

All drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work and that preventing access is against the law.

Drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work. Those who already provide reasonable access to toilets and handwashing facilities should continue to do so.

With the latest advice for hands to be washed regularly, failure to allow access to welfare facilities may increase the risk of the COVID-19 infection spreading.

Read HSE’s guidance here.

Thanks, and stay safe

Tim Liddon

Forestry Director

Tilhill