CRH continues to closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation. The safety and wellbeing of our employees, contractors and customers remains our number one priority.

We are following the advice and direction of the WHO, along with government and public health authorities in each country. An extensive range of precautionary and business continuity measures have been put in place across our operations globally.

While many of our businesses remained operational and continued to supply customers throughout the pandemic, we were required to scale back or close operations in some markets for a time, in order to comply with Government restrictions.

As restrictions have eased, we have reopened locations where it is safe to do so and we will continue to be led by official guidance on the matter.

Keeping our people safe

Safety is a core value at CRH and our safety culture guides us in how we are responding to the challenge of COVID-19, as we work to maintain supply to our customers while keeping our people safe at work.

CRH team operating social distancing protocols in the workplace

We have put a range of safety protocols in place at our locations including social distancing, the use of protective screens, regular cleaning and disinfecting of work stations and limiting access to sites for all non-essential personnel. In addition, employees receive regular updates on safe work practices as we tailor our approach based on the evolving guidance from public health authorities.

We are fortunate that many of our employees work in outdoor environments where social distancing is easier. For those in indoor environments, we have adapted those locations to ensure work can continue safely. Where employees can work remotely, we are supporting them to do so.

Serving our communities

Around the world, our businesses are deeply embedded in the local communities in which we operate. As an employer, customer, supplier and neighbour, CRH contributes every day to its communities around the world. We are proud to share a few of the many initiatives our businesses and employees have been involved in during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Playing our part

Donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CRH businesses and employees have been supporting healthcare workers by donating much needed PPE. Masks, protective eyewear, face shields and gloves...

Donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CRH businesses and employees have been supporting healthcare workers by donating much needed PPE. Masks, protective eyewear, face shields and gloves are all used widely in the building materials industry to keep employees safe in the normal course of their work. Our employees have been distributing surplus PPE to healthcare facilities in local communities, including much needed N95 masks which have played an important role in keeping frontline workers safe as they treat patients.

Playing our part

Making protective glass enclosures

CRH’s Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope® business has developed a new glass enclosure to help protect patients and healthcare workers during the pandemic....

Making protective glass enclosures

CRH’s Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope® business has developed a new glass enclosure to help protect patients and healthcare workers during the pandemic. The enclosure includes filtration, LED lighting and a built-in speaker system enabling healthcare workers to communicate and interact with patients, while maintaining a safe barrier between them.

Playing our part

Helping fast-track new hospital wards

Our businesses have been working hard to maintain essential building materials supplies to critical healthcare projects around the world. In Northern...

Helping fast-track new hospital wards

Our businesses have been working hard to maintain essential building materials supplies to critical healthcare projects around the world. In Northern Ireland, our Farrans business helped fast-track the completion of three new wards at Altnagelvin Hospital. In New York, Tilcon supplied 10,000 tons of aggregates for a new field hospital on Long Island. While in the UK, Tarmac supplied specialist concrete to support large oxygen tanks at the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in London.

Playing our part

Supporting vulnerable neighbours during the crisis

In some of the communities where we operate, the pandemic has meant additional hardship for some of the more vulnerable members of society. In...

Supporting vulnerable neighbours during the crisis

In some of the communities where we operate, the pandemic has meant additional hardship for some of the more vulnerable members of society. In response to this need, our Texas Materials business has been supporting the Central Texas Food Bank, to help feed people in need in the city of Austin. Employees raised $1,000 and management matched the gesture, with the combined sum helping to provide more than 1,200 meals to those who needed them the most.

The role our materials play

CRH products are found throughout the built environment and are playing an important role in keeping societies functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our products and services are used to keep essential supply chains open, they keep road, rail and air transport running safely; they are used in water and waste treatment, as well as in pharmaceutical applications and food production.

Specialised concrete from Tarmac helped complete London’s Nightingale hospital in nine days

We have also been maintaining the supply of key materials for the construction and upkeep of essential infrastructure, including hospitals to treat the sick.

As the global economy recovers and reassesses the future needs of our cities and urban living environments, our materials and products have an important role to play.

We are committed to supporting the recovery effort and playing our part in helping to build a safer, greener and more sustainable world.