IN the wake of speculation and adverse social media comment that has questioned if operational procedures are safe and workers protected, the company working on Thurrock's A13 widening project have assured Nub News that looking after staff and contractors is a major priority.

Since lockdown was imposed work has continued on sections of the project, which has been commissioned by Thurrock Council. Workers have been seen in groups working on new bridges, roadside works and at the Orsett Cock roundabout – with no visible protection and apparently in breach of government social distancing guidelines.

However, Kier Construction says it has been keeping a watching brief on ever-changing government guidelines and is operating fully under the guiding principles of safety that have been laid out.

In particular the company says it is fully compliant with construction sector guidelines laid out by the Construction Leadership Council. A full briefing on those guidelines can be found here.

One of the key issues that has raised concern is crews working on close proximity. Our photograph shows a team working on a new bridge near Stanford-le-Hope where the workers were putting rebar together prior to a concrete pour. At times the men were literally working within inches of each other – but this is deemed acceptable for minimal periods of time.

The guidance says: "Where face to face working is essential to carry out a task when working within two metres: keep this to 15 minutes or less where possible."

A spokesperson for Kier said: ""The health, safety and welfare of our people is paramount and, as a responsible business, we have reviewed our sites to ensure they can operate in a way which continues to comply with the Construction Leadership Council's Site Operating Procedures, which are based on the guidance issued by Public Health England.

"Following this review, the sites that are able to comply with these procedures, which includes the A13, continue to be operational."