Construction Industry News and Views Edition 181 04 May 2020
Dear Members and Readers
South Africa has finally moved out of a national lockdown with an introduction of a phased approach comprising of 5 Alert Levels.
The Construction COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team was established to collectively address and limit the impact of the pandemic on our industry and to facilitate recovery measures for the post lockdown period. In a short space of time, the Task Team rapidly grew to about 28 Industry stakeholder bodies in the built environment and construction industry.
The Task Team submitted comments to government in response to the proposed Regulations, in particular on Alert level 4. These included advocating for all construction projects which were active on 26 March 2020 to be reactivated under level 4. Strict health and safety protocols for implementation across the industry was also submitted to government to ensure that the risks were assessed and mitigated.
Regulations were subsequently issued last week detailing Alert level 4 Permitted and Essential services. The industry submitted several questions of clarity on the application of the Regulations and interpretation of provisions. Members who are operating under Level 4 are urged to ensure that a Workplace Plan, designated Compliance officers and Back to Work Health and safety protocols are in place.
In a post COVID-19 era, a concerted strategy would have to be employed to ensure the recovery and future sustainability of our sector. To this end, included in the medium-term submission by the Task Team is a call on government to review certain aspects of the regulatory framework and procurement processes to allow the commencement of projects to be fast-tracked.
This month’s edition highlights extra measures that the Association has put in place to service members during lockdown. We also discuss the financial implications of additional COVID-19 PPE requirements and how these costs could affect both the contractor and the principal agent. The submission of WSPs has also been affected and the deadline has been extended. This edition also provides considerations for Health and Safety Practitioners in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Insight is also provided on investments during trying economic times, and new light is shed on the Public Procurement Bill.
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Occupational Health Clinic is offering free COVID-19 screening with all medicals booked. Alternatively, you may book the clinic to do your COVID-19 screening at a nominal fee. The clinic also supplies a wide range of masks and other essential PPEs including infrared contactless thermometers for COVID-19 use. Please contact the clinic for your needs.
Members are reminded that our membership support and professional services are available during this time. Our Employee Benefits department is busy with pension fund administration and Café Indaba will be offering a food delivery service. We are also seeking to offer online training shortly. Be on the lookout for information on all our services.
Stay safe! Stay positive!
Vikashnee Harbhajan | Executive Director
Membership News
As a result of the national lockdown, during the month of April 2020, the manner in which the Association delivered membership services differed appreciably from what would be deemed as normal operations. With the closure of sites and the immense feeling of uncertainty among members as to when the industry would resume, emphasis was placed on ensuring that the team was 100% up to speed to provide responses to possible queries and to give meaningful advice to members relating to COVID-19 matters.
Many contractors have been enquiring how to handle the situation on existing sites as to the provision of additional OHS and PPE requirements. As the current lockdown could not have been foreseen at the time of tender and the client’s OHS Plan does not make provision for the additional requirements that may come into force before a site will be allowed to reopen, the additional costs will need to be borne by one or both parties to the contract. Our members should therefore follow the following procedure in terms of the JBCC PBA 6.2.
Role of Health and Safety Practitioners in COVID–19
This unprecedented pandemic has changed the way we live our daily lives and how we respond to this pandemic will change the face of occupational health & safety at the workplace going forward. Health and Safety Professionals are contracted to advise CEOs, board members, managers and employees on measures in curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
By completing and submitting a compliant workplace skills plan, the employer qualifies for a rebate of 20% of their contributions and this is known as a mandatory grant. It is paid quarterly into the bank account of the entity. The annual deadline for submissions is 30 April. In response to COVID-19 outbreak and the declaration of a National State of Disaster, the Department of Higher Education and Training has issued guidelines which have extended the deadline for submission for workplace skills plans to 31 May 2020.
Amid a global health crisis, investment performance worldwide has taken a beating and the impact has been severe. The nature of financial markets is that they go through cycles of peaks and troughs. On occasion, the volatility can be drastic. It is during these extreme bouts of market instability that even the most experienced investors can become anxious.
Section 217 of the Constitution stipulates that procurement by organs of State and allied institutions must occur in accordance with a system which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. However, the Constitution allows for preferences to be accorded to historically disadvantaged persons. Flowing from the above constitutional prescripts, there have been various statutory enactments aimed at regulating public procurement.
Essential COVID-19 supplies and screening now available
The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Occupational Health Clinic has COVID-19 supplies available, if your company is interested in any of the below please contact Elishya Abbu on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 0837040401 for information on pricing, pictures and quotes. COVID-19 screening will be charged at a nominal fee of R100 per test, including VAT. The Occupational Health Clinic is also offering FREE COVID-19 screening with all medicals booked.
Members who have current contracts that make provision for Contract Price Adjustment are able to download the latest published indices from Statistics South Africa by clicking on the following link.
