Site visits during COVID.
Discussion
We had a block of flats with an electricity problem yesterday. In one of the flats the occupier has COVID. None of our electricians was prepared to even go into the building common areas, much less the specific.
We "lost" a number of tradesmen during lockdown 1 due to them being vulnerable, but had enough willing still to work that we got by. We had very few self-isolation challenges. However, I am hearing of an increasing number of COVID cases locally and I need to plan for what happens if we again have a situation where we need to conduct emergency repairs to a building where someone has COVID.
Is anyone here in a similar position and if so what are you doing?
What's the official?
Communal areas seems an over reaction. Are they vaccinated? Can you not air the apartment for a few hours and take extra precautions? I guess the trouble is, even if you go in suited up, by going in youd be "potentially exposed" and have to isolate? Who pays the guys lost wages?
Communal areas seems an over reaction. Are they vaccinated? Can you not air the apartment for a few hours and take extra precautions? I guess the trouble is, even if you go in suited up, by going in youd be "potentially exposed" and have to isolate? Who pays the guys lost wages?
Teddy Lop said:
What's the official?
Communal areas seems an over reaction. Are they vaccinated? Can you not air the apartment for a few hours and take extra precautions? I guess the trouble is, even if you go in suited up, by going in youd be "potentially exposed" and have to isolate? Who pays the guys lost wages?
What do you mean "the official"? If you mean policy, we haven't devised one. We have just followed government guidelines and carried on.Communal areas seems an over reaction. Are they vaccinated? Can you not air the apartment for a few hours and take extra precautions? I guess the trouble is, even if you go in suited up, by going in youd be "potentially exposed" and have to isolate? Who pays the guys lost wages?
But the problem is potentially that we could have systems out of action for 10 days, whilst we are waiting for someone to come out of isolation. Longer potentially if they have family who get symptoms later. It seems a bit rough to turn off the mains power and call back in two weeks.
You must have at least one person who isn't bothered by it all don't you? Every one we work with regularly has been to all sorts of sites over the last year or so and covid hasn't ever been asked about or mentioned to anyone, it just doesn't figure in our schedule, if it did then we would never get anything done. Don't think any of us are jabbed either come to think of it.
This isn't a "I'm hard" sort of post, just relating about trying to be as normal as possible to get the job done and get paid.
This isn't a "I'm hard" sort of post, just relating about trying to be as normal as possible to get the job done and get paid.
scottyp123 said:
You must have at least one person who isn't bothered by it all don't you? Every one we work with regularly has been to all sorts of sites over the last year or so and covid hasn't ever been asked about or mentioned to anyone, it just doesn't figure in our schedule, if it did then we would never get anything done. Don't think any of us are jabbed either come to think of it.
This isn't a "I'm hard" sort of post, just relating about trying to be as normal as possible to get the job done and get paid.
It hasn't been a problem before, but at the moment everyone seems nervous and there appear to be numerous actual cases of COVID as opposed to people just self-isolating.This isn't a "I'm hard" sort of post, just relating about trying to be as normal as possible to get the job done and get paid.
Teddy Lop said:
I guess the trouble is, even if you go in suited up, by going in youd be "potentially exposed" and have to isolate?
OP might want to check the specific wording on PPE as I am regularly in contact with covid patients but with the correct PPE, am not required to self isolate. We have been working through all of the lockdowns, but do have specific risk assessments with regard to access. Essentially most things would be fine to access, up to any inspection that involves spending specific time in hospital common parts.
Higher risk site visits when cases increase - typically through common parts of residential blocks (we are usually heading to the roof), would involve gloves and masks.
We are led by an ex forces chap with chemical warfare training. Therefore we have been trained when taking gloves off, wipe them with antibioligal wipe, then take them off, then clean hand with antibilogical handwash.
If you are your team are going into residential accommodation, to do repairs that will take time the risk is going to be higher. I would suggest asking if resident is well, and if they are self-isolating. If they are ill or SI then pull out. Ask resident to keep their distance and ideally in a different room and to open window before your team member on site to ventilate. Then ensure they carry wipes to quickly give the area that they are working on a wipedown when gloved. Gloves off, quick hand wipe get on with work...
My only real issue which caused a long block was collecting keys from a 92 year old. We delayed that until the situation had improved, and even then were very cautious to clean then with gel, and wear gloves etc.
Higher risk site visits when cases increase - typically through common parts of residential blocks (we are usually heading to the roof), would involve gloves and masks.
We are led by an ex forces chap with chemical warfare training. Therefore we have been trained when taking gloves off, wipe them with antibioligal wipe, then take them off, then clean hand with antibilogical handwash.
If you are your team are going into residential accommodation, to do repairs that will take time the risk is going to be higher. I would suggest asking if resident is well, and if they are self-isolating. If they are ill or SI then pull out. Ask resident to keep their distance and ideally in a different room and to open window before your team member on site to ventilate. Then ensure they carry wipes to quickly give the area that they are working on a wipedown when gloved. Gloves off, quick hand wipe get on with work...
My only real issue which caused a long block was collecting keys from a 92 year old. We delayed that until the situation had improved, and even then were very cautious to clean then with gel, and wear gloves etc.
surveyor said:
If they are ill or SI then pull out.
So how would you have dealt with this week's problem?One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
surveyor said:
We have been working through all of the lockdowns, but do have specific risk assessments with regard to access. Essentially most things would be fine to access, up to any inspection that involves spending specific time in hospital common parts.
Higher risk site visits when cases increase - typically through common parts of residential blocks (we are usually heading to the roof), would involve gloves and masks.
We are led by an ex forces chap with chemical warfare training. Therefore we have been trained when taking gloves off, wipe them with antibioligal wipe, then take them off, then clean hand with antibilogical handwash.
If you are your team are going into residential accommodation, to do repairs that will take time the risk is going to be higher. I would suggest asking if resident is well, and if they are self-isolating. If they are ill or SI then pull out. Ask resident to keep their distance and ideally in a different room and to open window before your team member on site to ventilate. Then ensure they carry wipes to quickly give the area that they are working on a wipedown when gloved. Gloves off, quick hand wipe get on with work...
My only real issue which caused a long block was collecting keys from a 92 year old. We delayed that until the situation had improved, and even then were very cautious to clean then with gel, and wear gloves etc.
Really? we 2nd fixed a Sonos system and 4 ceiling speakers today in a customers house and then had a bit of a party there. Suppose it takes all sorts.Higher risk site visits when cases increase - typically through common parts of residential blocks (we are usually heading to the roof), would involve gloves and masks.
We are led by an ex forces chap with chemical warfare training. Therefore we have been trained when taking gloves off, wipe them with antibioligal wipe, then take them off, then clean hand with antibilogical handwash.
If you are your team are going into residential accommodation, to do repairs that will take time the risk is going to be higher. I would suggest asking if resident is well, and if they are self-isolating. If they are ill or SI then pull out. Ask resident to keep their distance and ideally in a different room and to open window before your team member on site to ventilate. Then ensure they carry wipes to quickly give the area that they are working on a wipedown when gloved. Gloves off, quick hand wipe get on with work...
My only real issue which caused a long block was collecting keys from a 92 year old. We delayed that until the situation had improved, and even then were very cautious to clean then with gel, and wear gloves etc.
Louis Balfour said:
So how would you have dealt with this week's problem?
One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
If it was my job then alternative payment methods would have be out the window this time.One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
Louis Balfour said:
surveyor said:
If they are ill or SI then pull out.
So how would you have dealt with this week's problem?One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
Perhaps ask that the ill person be kept away and windows opened etc.
scottyp123 said:
surveyor said:
We have been working through all of the lockdowns, but do have specific risk assessments with regard to access. Essentially most things would be fine to access, up to any inspection that involves spending specific time in hospital common parts.
Higher risk site visits when cases increase - typically through common parts of residential blocks (we are usually heading to the roof), would involve gloves and masks.
We are led by an ex forces chap with chemical warfare training. Therefore we have been trained when taking gloves off, wipe them with antibioligal wipe, then take them off, then clean hand with antibilogical handwash.
If you are your team are going into residential accommodation, to do repairs that will take time the risk is going to be higher. I would suggest asking if resident is well, and if they are self-isolating. If they are ill or SI then pull out. Ask resident to keep their distance and ideally in a different room and to open window before your team member on site to ventilate. Then ensure they carry wipes to quickly give the area that they are working on a wipedown when gloved. Gloves off, quick hand wipe get on with work...
My only real issue which caused a long block was collecting keys from a 92 year old. We delayed that until the situation had improved, and even then were very cautious to clean then with gel, and wear gloves etc.
Really? we 2nd fixed a Sonos system and 4 ceiling speakers today in a customers house and then had a bit of a party there. Suppose it takes all sorts.Higher risk site visits when cases increase - typically through common parts of residential blocks (we are usually heading to the roof), would involve gloves and masks.
We are led by an ex forces chap with chemical warfare training. Therefore we have been trained when taking gloves off, wipe them with antibioligal wipe, then take them off, then clean hand with antibilogical handwash.
If you are your team are going into residential accommodation, to do repairs that will take time the risk is going to be higher. I would suggest asking if resident is well, and if they are self-isolating. If they are ill or SI then pull out. Ask resident to keep their distance and ideally in a different room and to open window before your team member on site to ventilate. Then ensure they carry wipes to quickly give the area that they are working on a wipedown when gloved. Gloves off, quick hand wipe get on with work...
My only real issue which caused a long block was collecting keys from a 92 year old. We delayed that until the situation had improved, and even then were very cautious to clean then with gel, and wear gloves etc.
Bit if they were having a party i'm assuming all were well, which is a good start...
We are normally accessing through common parts and not into flats fortunately, as our Health & Safety could get crazy.
I find the health and safety aspect the worst part, if I declined a job it wouldn't be because it might be dangerous but instead be because of the ridiculous amount of hoops you need to jump through just to do the job. If someone said look I'll turn a blind eye for 30 minutes then it would all be done and dusted and the client would have power again.
scottyp123 said:
I find the health and safety aspect the worst part, if I declined a job it wouldn't be because it might be dangerous but instead be because of the ridiculous amount of hoops you need to jump through just to do the job. If someone said look I'll turn a blind eye for 30 minutes then it would all be done and dusted and the client would have power again.
Want a job in Nottingham?scottyp123 said:
I find the health and safety aspect the worst part, if I declined a job it wouldn't be because it might be dangerous but instead be because of the ridiculous amount of hoops you need to jump through just to do the job. If someone said look I'll turn a blind eye for 30 minutes then it would all be done and dusted and the client would have power again.
Despite the ridiculousness written now, it makes more sense when in use and trying not to infect my family, or other people. But the industry I work in can involve significant risks of death, especially from falling at height for workers or the public below. As such it's something we take seriously and COVID stuff unfortunately tags on.I'd like to apologise, but actually on this occasion I won't.
Couple of scenarios:
Engineer goes to site, picks up covid. goes to another site and infects vulnerable person who dies.
Engineer goes to site, picks up covid and infects no-one. 10 days off work.
Engineer goes to site picks up site and infects his family. Wife comes down with long covid. months off work.
Engineer goes to site, comes away with no infection and all is well.
How can you ensure that scenario 4 is the one in play.
surveyor said:
Despite the ridiculousness written now, it makes more sense when in use and trying not to infect my family, or other people. But the industry I work in can involve significant risks of death, especially from falling at height for workers or the public below. As such it's something we take seriously and COVID stuff unfortunately tags on.
I'd like to apologise, but actually on this occasion I won't.
Couple of scenarios:
Engineer goes to site, picks up covid. goes to another site and infects vulnerable person who dies.
Engineer goes to site, picks up covid and infects no-one. 10 days off work.
Engineer goes to site picks up site and infects his family. Wife comes down with long covid. months off work.
Engineer goes to site, comes away with no infection and all is well.
How can you ensure that scenario 4 is the one in play.
From my point of view I don't see how any sort of infection could ever be proved where it came from in the first place and I would like to think I could stand up in court and say "prove it" but I also understand that such is the over reaction to covid that something like this could tie a company up in knots for years.I'd like to apologise, but actually on this occasion I won't.
Couple of scenarios:
Engineer goes to site, picks up covid. goes to another site and infects vulnerable person who dies.
Engineer goes to site, picks up covid and infects no-one. 10 days off work.
Engineer goes to site picks up site and infects his family. Wife comes down with long covid. months off work.
Engineer goes to site, comes away with no infection and all is well.
How can you ensure that scenario 4 is the one in play.
And its precisely why I have stayed informal in all the health and safety shenanigans that infests jobs nowadays, today I was able to wear shorts, t-shirt and trainers and not hard hats and hi-viz's because it was my own private job, I swear the 60 year old decorator today had f
k all on under his overalls, imagine Mel from Benidorm painting a room in nothing but white dungarees. scottyp123 said:
From my point of view I don't see how any sort of infection could ever be proved where it came from in the first place and I would like to think I could stand up in court and say "prove it" but I also understand that such is the over reaction to covid that something like this could tie a company up in knots for years.
And its precisely why I have stayed informal in all the health and safety shenanigans that infests jobs nowadays, today I was able to wear shorts, t-shirt and trainers and not hard hats and hi-viz's because it was my own private job, I swear the 60 year old decorator today had fk all on under his overalls, imagine Mel from Benidorm painting a room in nothing but white dungarees.
I'm pleased to be inspecting rural sites this week. My biggest risk was a horse trying to break into my backpack. Full PPE does not appeal!And its precisely why I have stayed informal in all the health and safety shenanigans that infests jobs nowadays, today I was able to wear shorts, t-shirt and trainers and not hard hats and hi-viz's because it was my own private job, I swear the 60 year old decorator today had f
k all on under his overalls, imagine Mel from Benidorm painting a room in nothing but white dungarees. Are they following your risk assessments and covid controls? These vary of course on scenario (I'm in mining). They may feel better if you have proper controls in place, correct PPE, procedures for them and the customer to follow. Even when lockdown ends employers will be asked to continue risk assessments for many months for covid (i.e. less gov advice more you must make it work). You could have a spot check from HSE at any time to make sure you have these in place (though I guess lower risk if small firm), there is also risk staff will (rightly) whistle blow. We had a visit a few weeks ago so it does happen.
Remember the controls must be in place for site visits, vehicle use, any areas staff get together etc..
Remember the controls must be in place for site visits, vehicle use, any areas staff get together etc..
Louis Balfour said:
So how would you have dealt with this week's problem?
One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
There must be a protocol for dealing with situations like that - people can’t be abandoned and left without electricity. One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
Sheepshanks said:
Louis Balfour said:
So how would you have dealt with this week's problem?
One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
There must be a protocol for dealing with situations like that - people can’t be abandoned and left without electricity. One flat in a block has a tenant in it with COVID. There is an electrical fault in that flat which has to be fixed if the tenant is to enjoy the use of electricity. If we "pull out" the tenant could be without power for ten days.
Tell the tenant they've to leave the dwelling and go sit on their own in a park or somewhere for a couple of hours and then send in the tradesman in full protective gear including gloves.
By the way, if you haven't noticed (Silverstone 140000, Wembley 60000+small riot, beaches in sunny weather and city centre packed out saturday nights etc etc etc ) no-one gives a fk about covid anymore and its just been left to run riot. So really just do whatever you want (like everybody else is doing).
By the way, if you haven't noticed (Silverstone 140000, Wembley 60000+small riot, beaches in sunny weather and city centre packed out saturday nights etc etc etc ) no-one gives a f
k about covid anymore and its just been left to run riot. So really just do whatever you want (like everybody else is doing).Edited by Groat on Wednesday 21st July 16:15
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff