Builders, tradies get back on site
Builders and tradies are finally back on site after five weeks of lockdown, and are getting used to the face masks, hand washing and paperwork of alert level three.
Construction sites around Marlborough had to be left untouched during the coronavirus lockdown, but as alert level three started on Tuesday, crews were able to pick up their tools again, a relief in economically uncertain times.
Much health and safety planning is needed so co-workers can keep their bubbles intact, let alone when the plumbers, glaziers, sparkies and painters turn up.
George Guthrie Construction owner George Guthrie said his team was relieved to be out of the house and back at work, even with the list of Covid-19 requirements.
‘‘We’ve had a lot of input and guidelines from Master Builders, I’m a member, so they’ve been really good at sending out health and safety protocols to follow,’’
Guthrie said. ‘‘So it’s just a matter of being vigilant, maintaining the effort the whole country has put in during lockdown.’’
That meant maintaining the two-metre distancing, unless the job demanded otherwise, in which case personal protective equipment had to be worn, including masks and gloves.
Guthrie said being at home during lockdown, he and his wife Kate were so impressed with essential workers on the frontline, they wanted to give something back.
‘‘We came up with this idea, a little gesture to show our appreciation for all their hard work.’’
The company launched the One Day, Two Builders competition, with help from the Master Builders Association, calling for nominations of essential workers to go in the draw to win two free builders for a day.
‘‘It’s mostly people’s friends and family, but there’s even some complete strangers who have helped someone that wants to say thanks. It’s been pretty cool reading why people are being nominated,’’ Guthrie said.
So with some help from Master Builders, other building companies had volunteered their own builders: RLA Construction, Peter Ray Homes, Smith & Sons Renovations and Extensions, True Vision Construction, Rob Blick Building, Scott Construction and Andrew Pope Homes.
‘‘And it’s amazing the traction it’s gained. A couple of builders, one from Hawke’s Bay and one from Auckland, even contacted us to get permission to do something similar. Because they were in a similar position, wanting to do something to say thanks,’’ Guthrie said.