As of 11 May 2020, physical works will resume on the Eastern Cloisters Project which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

On Tuesday 24 March, I J Preece & Son Ltd, the principal contractor managing the site, made the decision to suspend works due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. As always, the safety and welfare of staff working on site are priority and we, the Hereford Cathedral team, supported them in this decision.

During this time, I J Preece & Son Ltd have been investigating ways in which works on site can resume under the new guidance which has been issued by the Construction Leadership Council to protect their workforce during Coronavirus.

When work on site resumes, all contractors will undergo a Toolbox Talk which will make them aware of the role they will play in minimising the risk of the spread of infection. Visitors to the site will also undergo a revised site induction process to make them aware of the updated procedures.

 New procedures which will be implemented by I J Preece & Son Ltd include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Regular hand washing and increase of access to sanitation facilities on site
• Enhanced cleaning procedures of communal areas
• Social distancing to be applied at all times when possible. When this is not possible reasonable steps to reduce risk will be taken
• Non-authorised visitors will not be permitted onto site (this includes cathedral staff, volunteers and residents)
• Making changes to the way in which contractors travel to and access the site to minimise infection spread

Health & Safety always has and will be a priority for the contractors running the Eastern Cloisters Project and these new procedures will be treated with the upmost importance by all involved. Contractors will only be working on the Easter Cloister Project area and will not be entering the cathedral building at any point.

I J Preece & Son Ltd have been working closely with H&G Construction Safety, a local health and safety company that carry out site audits. They will be helping I J Preece & Son Ltd to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of their team is maintained at all times through a number of risk assessments, procedures and safe systems of work. These updated procedures will be communicated to the site foreman and all site workers before they commence work on the 11 May.

We are very grateful to I J Preece & Son Ltd for their thoroughness and consideration during an incredibly difficult time in which many independent businesses are experiencing unprecedented challenges.