MAC Surfacing | Leading the way: The ultimate collaboration for the future of the surfacing sector
MAC Surfacing is calling on the industry to collaborate in the interests of workforce safety
With the entire highways sector navigating the impact of COVID-19, many surfacing companies have sadly been forced to close their doors, leaving clients without their usual sub-contractors.
It isn’t fully clear when the coronavirus virus pandemic will be behind us, so as highways and construction begin to reopen, companies of all sizes have the same common problem with how to continue trading and protect their workforces.
Whilst government guidelines are in place, this scenario is still an unknown for all. The guidance is still not the clearest, so as an industry, what can be done to protect our people?
MAC Surfacing
Starting with their own protocols, MAC Surfacing has adapted rapidly to new health and safety procedures across the business to fit with government guidelines. These new measures include social distancing, updated risk assessments, pre-start COVID-19 symptom checks, vehicle wall partitions as well as face masks, sanitiser and cleaning equipment on site, in vehicles and available to operatives.
The ultimate collaboration – pulling the industry together
We spoke to Marc Copson about a dramatic move MAC Surfacing has made to secure the safety of operatives not only at MAC Surfacing but across the entire surfacing industry as key work continues and lockdowns begin to lift.
Collaborative efforts from the surfacing sector could be the key to no machines becoming driverless as the lockdown restrictions lift
The question Marc is looking to answer?
“What happens when companies return to work and potentially cannot get access to the necessary equipment forcing them to stay closed even longer?”
Paying any attention to the mainstream media alone is enough to highlight both the importance and shortage of PPE the UK is currently experiencing.
The collaborative approach
Utilising Linkedin, Marc has taken a key step towards a sector-wide collaborative approach to what life, safety and operations could, and will look like upon an increased return to operations.
The idea seems to have been well received, with numbers shooting to 150+ surfacing sector professionals and new group members within 24 hours of setup.
“The sharp spike in numbers shows the overall collaborative approach of the sector which is fantastic to see.
“It also shows that many people are sharing the same sort of mindset and thought processes, as well as concern for their workforce wellbeing upon a more normal resumption of works.
“We need to adapt to our new environment by implementing controls and changing our methods of working. I have been speaking to my team and essentially explained that we need to almost forget everything we used to do and find new solutions to our clients problems.
“Now we have a strong core of group members, we’re encouraging everyone to do the same and share how that is being implemented.
“We really want to spark debate and conversation, set aside any competitive spirit or secrets and create a tool that helps our industry and our people for months and years to come.”
