Coronavirus update from Hinkley Point C - May 5

Here’s the latest update from Hinkley Point C on what we are doing to keep the site and community safe during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Like many other companies, we have been asked to give feedback on new Government guidance to help businesses operate safely during the pandemic. The guidance emphasises the need to create a safe workplace for employees and on assessing and managing risk in a controlled way. That safety-led approach is consistent with the way we work at Hinkley Point C. Even as economic activity increases, the many steps we have taken to monitor health and prevent the risk of infection will remain in place and numbers on site will always be guided by what is safe.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, five members of the Hinkley Point C site team have tested positive for Coronavirus. This includes one who had not been on site for more than three weeks before feeling ill and is very unlikely to have posed a risk. There is no evidence of infections on site caused by the other workers. Investigations include contact tracing and tracking the health of those who are, or have been, in self-isolation. 

Our remaining workforce is now well adapted to social distancing and the experience gained has helped us to make a small and safe increase in numbers to just under 2,500, still fewer than half what it was at the start of the year. Many people on the project are continuing to work remotely. These aren’t just admin roles. Complex technical tasks are now being successfully done at home – with quality maintained through rigorous checking and assurance.

With fewer people on site, we have found that many construction jobs can be done with social distancing, and we’ve worked hard to make that possible. For tasks that require closer working, we provide extra protective equipment.

We have had excellent support from our local suppliers and I am pleased that they have been active in helping the community. For example, our catering supplier Somerset Larder has been providing food to NHS workers and our accommodation provider HOST has been supporting a local care home. Our own site team is working with the charity Fareshare to distribute food to those in need across Somerset.

I will continue to keep you updated with the latest information. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or questions.

Nigel Cann

Construction Delivery Director, Hinkley Point C