Swindon-based construction company Beard, whose work includes medical research facilities, special needs schools and Ministry of Defence work, is continuing to operate on more than 90 per cent of its sites, despite the wave of closures that the industry has seen in response to the spread of Covid-19.

Family-owned Beard said it had has fully implemented the Site Operating Procedures drawn up by the Construction Leadership Council.  This ensures that staff and subcontractors working on Beard sites are not exposed to unnecessary risk of infection.

Additional safety measures include lengthening the working day and resequencing work to allow different workers to be on site at different times and minimise the need for contact.