The Steel Industrys’ Covid-19 Recovery

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all areas of our modern lives. The Steel Industry is no exception and like all other companies involved in the industry, Delphi Steel has also felt the impact. Building sites across the country are scattered with abandoned forklifts and diggers, and foundations exposed of projects left for another day. As a result, dreams of the new house, storage facility, leisure centre and start-up units are now a far-off reality. Here we take a look at what the Steel Industrys’ Covid-19 recovery might look like.

The construction industry accounts for 7% of GDP, generating over £110 billion per annum to the economy and 3 million jobs. This amounts to 10% of total UK employment. Naturally there is concern of the impact of long-term closures of sites.

Yesterday debate began over easing lockdown strategies here in Britain. This is a welcome discussion and gives hope of light at the end of this tunnel. But let us be realistic, we know this is not a flick of a switch. Normality will be a far cry from the day we start going back to work.

Moving Forward

Planning the strategies needed to limit the spread of the virus while still allowing projects to move forward is essential.  We have been on lockdown for over a month with no definite answer to when that will end. A premature return to work could have disastrous effects.  Poorly planned and/or too soon then we will render all our sacrifices a waste of time and will go back into full lockdown restrictions.

One of the UK government’s objectives is getting the construction industry back to work.  In light of this some companies are beginning to plan a re-opening of sites. One such company is Persimmon.  They have announced they are re-opening sites as of the 27^th April. They have been formulating and testing new site protocols they say will allow them to return to site safely. Monitoring the success of companies re-starting work can provide lessons ensuirng the Steel Industrys’ Covid-19 recovery is successful.