Whether it’s repair work, validation services, or other contractor-based work, we want to assure our customers and clients that the Quadrassist contractor network is operating in line with Government imposed protocols and guidance. Here is everything you need to know about having work conducted in your home safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore, as part of our commitment to delivering efficient, timely, and specialist repair services, meanwhile ensuring the health and wellbeing of employees, contractors, and customers, we have implemented the following steps.
Please use this guide as a reference to make sure the contractor undertaking any works in your property is adhering to the advice and the latest Government guidance. Not only can this guide be used to assess contractor work, but it is also for those who may have a survey or damage assessment visit take place, which could be followed by repair works.
As always, you can visit the Government website for the latest health and safety guidelines. Choosing a Quadrassist approved contractor in the current climate should be safe and easy, if both the customer and contractor have observed the precautions outlined in this guide. We proactively provide our contractors with necessary information on how to operate safely in people’s homes.
Everything you need to know…
Preparing the Property
The Government has stated that tradespeople and workers should not be forced into an unsafe workplace, and the health and safety of customers, contractors, and public health, should not be put at risk.
Therefore, you must ‘prepare’ your home before any work starts. Ask yourself:
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- Are there any elderly people, or those with underlying health conditions, living in the property?
- Is there anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 living in the property?
- Will anyone (such as tradespeople or surveyor) visiting the property be affected by working there?
- If yes to any of the above, can you isolate anyone who is sick or elderly from the tradespeople in the property?
Important information: Please remember that no work should be carried out in a household which is isolating due to one or more family members showing symptoms, or where an individual has been advised to shield – unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household.
Before Entering the Property
The next step is to consider what you should do when letting workers into your home. If you decide to use a Quadrassist approved contractor to carry out the repairs, it is advisable to:
- Agree a suitable date and time for the work to take place.
- Discuss social distancing requirements between workers and customers (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable).
- For those in vulnerable situations, discuss the necessary extra precautions that will need to be taken e.g. no face-to-face contact.
- Contractors must communicate with the customer prior to any visit to discuss how the work will be carried out to minimise risk for all parties.
- Ask them to provide specific details of the workers who will be working in your home. For any work that requires repeat visits, the same workers should be assigned to the job.
Upon Arrival – Tradespeople Requirements
Our fully-vetted, specialised Quadrassist approved contractors will:
- Conduct a full risk assessment.
- Show identification upon arrival.
- Confirm that they do not shown signs of COVID-19.
- Request that you also confirm you have no symptoms of the virus.
- Confirm that they have been briefed on the necessary health and safety guidelines and precautions that they must adhere to.
- Wear the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) when required. Please note, the type of PPE used by a tradesperson will depend on the work being carried out and location i.e. inside or outside.
- Maintain social distancing measures as much as possible.
- Upon entry to the property, tradespeople should wash their hands more often than usual for 20 seconds using soap and hot water.
- If such facilities are not available, hand sanitiser will be carried at all times and used as an alternative.
- Tradespeople must ensure good ventilation in the working area.
- Tradespeople should clean any regularly touched objects and surfaces using cleaning products.
- Do not share any equipment with other tradespeople if possible. If required, keep people who use equipment to a minimum.
- To refuse work in an isolating or shielding household, unless an immediate and urgent repair is required.
- To withdraw from work if COVID-19 symptoms appear, however mild.
Upon Arrival – Customer Guidance
We advise that customers follow the below steps and guidance when contractors enter the property:
- Do not touch any PPE or other materials. COVID-19 can be transferred from PPE and other surfaces, therefore you must wait until the job has been completed and all areas cleaned thoroughly.
- Our contractors have been advised to arrange access to washroom facilities, without requiring the use of your own. However, you may grant permission for them to use your facilities if you wish, and if deemed safe to do so.
- Outline which areas and entrances of the property tradespeople can enter through, and those which may be particularly busy e.g. stairs, common areas such as the kitchen.
We hope you have found the above steps useful and reassuring for if, and when, work is conducted in your home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, if you have any questions, you can contact our Head of Quadrassist, Mike Dupeylcz for further information.
Contact Mike
