Supporting the construction industry through Covid-19

Covid-19 has changed the way that health and safety inductions are done, probably forever! Moving the process online is fast becoming the norm, not the exception, significantly speeding up the process and eliminating the need for face-to-face meetings in cramped site offices.

How many times have you heard site managers frustrated by the number of site inductions they need to do during the week? By sending information electronically to contractors prior to arrival on site, businesses can not only save time but also mitigate the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Workers can access the information on their phone, or any device with an internet connection, giving them the flexibility to take their induction when it suits them – no more sitting in office portacabins to be told site rules and regulations or relaying personal information concerning medical conditions in front of work mates – the GetOnSite system means contractors can provide site managers with the information they need online, including personal information.

By switching to an online system, site managers are seeing the benefit of time saved onsite and getting peace of mind over the security of the information, which is one less headache to worry about. By knowing that the data, including uploaded copies of CSCS cards and training certificates, is securely stored and can be easily accessed 24/7, provides managers with a GDPR compliant audit trail at the touch of a button.

How moving online saves time and money

Our stats from 2020 show that considerable savings in both time and money were made, and that a move to a paperless process had a positive impact on the environment! From delivering over 33,000 inductions, the GetOnSite system helped our customers save:

• 60 weeks of site managers’ time
• 7 years of contractors’ time
• £41K of site managers’ costs
• £370K of inductees’ costs
• 100 trees
• 16 tonnes of carbon

How moving inductions online has helped our customers during Covid-19

Feedback from our customers has made it clear that both site managers and contractors can see the benefit of moving to an online system. The change helps reduce the spread of Covid-19 as well as compliancy with industry health and safety regulations. We talked to Aqua Construction and CTS Shopfitting to find out how contactless inductions have helped them.

How Aqua improved productivity at a crucial time

At the onset of the coronavirus epidemic, Aqua Construction reacted quickly to implement safe operating procedures at each of their sites to keep their development programme on track.

We spoke to Alex Wood, Operations Manager at Aqua, about how moving their induction process online was essential during the initial coronavirus disruption. Alex commented, “The coronavirus pandemic encouraged us to update and improve our systems, and we quickly realised that it was a good idea to pre-qualify contractors before they arrived on site.”

Read the case study to find out how Aqua managed to keep sites open and deliver developments on time and within budget.

How online inductions helped CTS mitigate the risk of coronavirus

James Middleton, Health and Safety Manager at CTS Shopfitting Ltd. reinforced this message by telling us how pleased contractors were with the online induction system.

James remarked, “The biggest benefit to CTS has been the mitigation of the risk of spreading coronavirus through face-to-face meetings with contractors huddling round a desk to fill in paperwork. The GetOnSite system has been praised so much since lockdown, CTS wouldn’t want to be without it now!”

Find out why CTS found socially distanced inductions essential for the safety of the workforce.

Added benefits of online inductions

Apart from the useful system components displayed on our features page, there are additional benefits to adopting a virtual induction process. By implementing a policy of moving health and safety inductions online, the implications can provide additional benefits to your company brand.

• HSE Inspections – Health and safety inspectors are carrying out spot checks to examine that measures that have been put in place to manage the risks of spreading coronavirus. Inducting workers online is seen as a sensible and proportionate safety step for maintaining social distancing

“Feedback from health and safety consultants and auditors is really positive, as they can find the information they need at a click of a button.” John Lewis, Henstaff Construction

• Considerate Constructors Scheme – the scheme champions progressive construction companies that are actively raising standards in the industry. Moving the induction process online contributes to processes monitored against a five-point code of Considerate Practice, including securing workers safety.

Embracing the digital age

Tech-savvy online solutions are now a reality in the construction industry just as much as improved hardware equipment used on site. Tools like GetOnSite’s induction software are really helping to support the advancement of data collection and induction management across the sector. The adoption of online solutions is increasing fast due to Covid-19, and companies that fail to move with the times are at risk of getting left behind.

Set aside 30-minutes this week and book a free system demo from the induction experts at GetOnSite. Find out how moving your inductions online will benefit not only that important bottom-line but also the health and safety of your workforce.