Work In Homes – If It Is Safe To Do So!

Work In Homes – If It Is Safe To Do So!

GOVERNMENT PROVIDES MORE DETAILED GUIDANCE ON WORKING IN HOMES

The Government guidance for tradespeople working in people’s homes has now changed for work being carried out in England only, and is no longer stipulating that only essential work can be undertaken, but instead, the new Guidance is asking companies to adopt a risk-based approach.

The new Guidance now allows standard work to go ahead, provided that it is safe to do so, Public Health England (PHE) guidelines are being followed (social distancing, hygiene and cleaning routines etc.), a risk assessment has been undertaken, and mitigating measures to reduce the risks have been introduced.

and how to minimise these for employees (this also includes self-employed tradespeople) and those whose homes they are working in. Companies are encouraged to publish these online and share assessment results with householders.

Although the guidance does allow more work to take place, it does still specify that work should not be undertaken in a household where someone has symptoms or is being asked to shield, and that additional precautions should be taken when working in households where there are vulnerable people, for example the over-70s.  

The Guidance also includes, face coverings when on public transport or working in confined areas (such as inside homes) and in close proximity to others. Individual tradespeople and firms should familiarise themselves with the social distancing, hygiene and PPE (personal protection Equipment).

John Agnew, GGF Managing Director, “Following the latest guidance issued yesterday evening, the GGF contacted Government first thing this morning and it has been clarified that under the new guidance, work can take place if it is safe to do so. It must be stressed that companies should follow the Government guidance on risk assessment, social distancing, PPE and hygiene to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.”

Click here for the PDF

To access the “Working safely during COVID-19 in other people’s homes” full guidance please follow this link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes

The new Guidance is for work carried out England only and the GGF recommends that companies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales should refer to the latest guidance on the devolved governments’ websites. Please see links below:

Northern Ireland https://www.hseni.gov.uk/news/covid-19-safety-guidance-construction-employers-federation-ni-cefni-taskforce

Scotland https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-construction-sector-guidance/

Wales https://gov.wales/coronavirus

Please note: the GGF understands that the Government guidance is now being updated across its online channels to reflect these recent changes.