Tips to Help Tradespeople Keep Safe During Lockdown Changes

When the lockdown became intense, tradespeople found it very difficult to go into homes to work. Even building materials became scarce. Some amendments made to trading rules mean that tradespeople are now allowed to visit houses. However, there are some specific guidelines that workers engaging in renovation work must follow in the coming weeks.

The important guideline

The new guideline says that both household members and the tradespersons working in their homes should be healthy and free of the coronavirus symptoms. As applicable to other businesses, tradespeople must take all necessary precautions by maintaining at least 1 metre physical distance at all times while working in other people's homes. Also, they should strictly abide by the rules of social distancing.

Stay away from working in any home where its occupants are isolating, or where a person who is highly susceptible to the virus is sheltering-in-place; unless there is an emergency need for the repairs of a fault which poses a risk to the occupants of the house.  

By no means should a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms carry out any work in any household, no matter how small the work is.

It is also advisable to postpone non-essential work. Do study the new stay at home guidance measures for households and get ready to ask for the requirements.

Is it safe to work in a customer's household?

Many tradespeople have initiated extra precautionary measures to ensure their safety at work. It is, however, essential to adhere strictly to the guidelines highlighted below. They include:

• Entreating homeowners to be secluded in a separate apartment until the work is completed.
• Asking that doors and windows be open for ventilation
• Preferring cashless payment to cash or paper invoices.
• Making sure they wear their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), washing their hands regularly, resisting refreshment from the household, and bringing along with them towels and other essential needs.

A quick recap

Here is a recap of the recent guidelines the government urges tradespeople to follow when visiting a household:

• Make sure that no individual in the household you are preparing to work for is shielding, self-isolating, or exhibiting coronavirus symptoms.
• To be on the safe side, decline any offer of snacks or drinks from any member of the household, no matter how tempting the offer is.
• Bring along with you enough hand sanitisers, and use it to clean your hands regularly whenever you enter or exit your van or clients' houses.
• Although your trade will likely require that you wear some personal protection equipment for your safety, it is sensible to acquire coronavirus PPE.
• Wearing a mask reduces the risk of contracting the virus, especially if you are in the same van with other people. Even if you have agreed on a contractual obligation or completed an excellent job, you must shun handshaking and strictly abide by social distancing rules.
• Maintain a social distance of at least 1 metre from homeowners, and avoid any form of physical contact.
• Never forget to wash your hands regularly with soap and water for about 20 seconds or apply hand sanitiser before you arrive at the premises or start a job. Whenever you enter the premises, sanitise your hands again with hand sanitiser.
• Whenever you cough or sneeze, make sure you cover your nose and mouth with a tissue; throw the tissue in a bin, then wash your hands properly.

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"Information correct as of July 08, 2020"