Housing regulator, the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) has issued guidelines to deal with the management of Covid-19 at residential construction sites, for public comment.

This is part of the regulator’s efforts to ensure the spread of the virus is contained and to protect the health and safety of its employees and stakeholders on residential construction sites, as well as other persons who may be directly affected.

Stakeholders in the built environment, such as developers, home builders, contractors, professionals and their respective organisations, are particularly encouraged to submit their comments on the draft guidelines by 12:00 on May 27, by email to theceo@nhbrc.org.za.

These draft guidelines are informed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85/1993); Construction Regulations 2014; Disaster Management Act, 2002; and Regulations issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act, 2002.

As a statutory body, the NHBRC advocates the adherence to the Disaster Management Act, 2002: Amendment of Regulations issued in terms of Section 27(2) owing to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Meanwhile, the NHBRC says it is able to provide limited services through its home-based staff, such as enrolments, registrations, renewals and customer complaints-handling through dedicated provincial email addresses.

However, the body also notes that it is unable to issue enrolment or registration certificates through emails for security reasons and as risk mitigation against cyberfraud.

The NHBRC states that this will impact the home construction sector and all subsectors, including the programmes of the rapid informal settlement support programme, integrated residential development programme and the social housing rental programme. In addition, several other areas will also be impacted, including the transitional residential units, permanent residential areas and commercial developments.

As an agency of the Department of Human Settlements, the NHBRC notes its support of all the national Covid-19 interventions aimed at providing citizens with dignified accommodation and access to clean water, thus contributing to reducing the risks of infection associated with overcrowding.

In this regard, the body states that physical distancing, general screening and monitoring, provision of personal protective equipment and good hygiene practices are some of its preventative strategies in the fight against Covid-19 at work sites.