1. Foreword

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have to adapt our daily work in compliance with the governments’ directives on how to control the fanning out of the infection. Since the well-being of our customers and staff is a priority, we’ll have new measures in place to ensure their safety. Because of our works’ nature, most of our team works closely with each other and in common spaces like private properties or the office. This policy will highlight the practices that Office Removals London will be embracing to control the spread. It includes information like how to recognise Covid-19, control measures and improved daily practices which minimise chances of contact. The policy also outlines what’s to be done when you’re experiencing the signs of the infection and the recommended safety response. 

2. Defining Covid-19

Coronavirus disease is a fast spreading infection that can cause severe respiratory illness or death. A carrier can be asymptomatic, thus showing no signs.

Anyone can catch the virus although there are certain populations of people that are more vulnerable. Those having pre-existing medical conditions and older people are more susceptible to experiencing more severe symptoms that might result in hospitalisation or even death.

3. Identifying Covid-19 Signs

According to the NHS, high temperatures, a new and continuous cough are some of the leading symptoms of Covid-19. The other symptoms include tiredness, body aches and pains, running nose and a sore throat. You should also be cautious of other people you might have come into contact with who display the said signs.

We ask our staff to assess themselves and their household members to check if they show any symptoms everyday before leaving for work.

4. Precautionary measures to take once you recognize the signs

It is essential to self-isolate once you or anyone you’re in close proximity with shows any of the Covid-19 symptoms. Avoiding further interaction or contact with individuals of common spaces will help control the spread of the virus.

Regardless of whether you are asymptomatic, you should stay in isolation for 14 days and avoid work during this time or until your test results are negative. You shouldn’t come into close proximity with any staff or work facilities. The operations manager should be notified of any contact immediately.

5. The impact and spread of Covid-19

The rate at which Covid-19 can be transmitted from one person to the other makes it a particularly infectious disease. One can contract the virus by coming into contact with droplets that are spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If the droplets land on a surface then someone comes into contact with it and touches their face, eyes or mouth, then they’re likely to get infected. Reducing contact and good hygiene practices are some of the best techniques to disrupt or control the rapid spread of the virus.

6.Plan to minimize contact and control the spreading 

It’s essential that all employees of Office Removals London are well-informed about the safe measures necessary to control the circulation of the Coronavirus infection. Any company where there are interactivities within the company or with clients is prone to exposure to the possibility of getting the infection. 

These practices include reducing contact with each other, practising safe physical distancing, proper hygiene and handling of company resources and shared spaces are essential in our daily activities. By minimising interaction with areas of risk and maintaining safe handling and hygiene, there’s a low chance of spreading the virus.

7. Risky Areas

Depending on the level of contact or frequency, some areas of exposure can be divided into four distinct ‘zones’. They’re identified by the frequency in which our staff, clients, or anyone else might come across a certain area of exposure and the chances of contamination that may result.

For instance, the high risk or Red Zones have a higher rate for Covid-19 transmission. These are the areas of high contact or commonly used facilities.

Orange Zones have a lesser chance of exposure to the disease but are still of importance. Cautious handling practices are advised to reduce vulnerability.

Yellow Zones pass as low-risk areas either because they’re cleaned often or rarely used. Although operations in this area are safe when the right PPE is used, they should still be regarded as risky areas. 

Green Zones are areas that are considered to be safe and less risky. Everyone can use these areas if they practice safe physical distancing.

8. Spotting the different areas of exposure

Red Zones are high-risk areas that everyone should keep away from. These are the areas that aren’t often cleaned and many people come into contact with hence posing a high risk of transfer. They include kitchenettes, receptions, break out areas,switches, instruments and shared disposable things within the space.

Orange Zones surround  the Red areas. These areas include van controls like the tail lifts, radio, steering wheel, keys, AC, and tools. Other items such as printers, lockers, computers, shared stationery and cleaning equipment also fall under this category. These areas should still be avoided unless necessary.

Yellow Zones can’t be avoided because they’re considered essential for operations. These areas include bathrooms, elevators, hallways and office areas.

Green Zones are the areas where there’s low contact like open spaces like smoking zones where several people can be in the same space where they can avoid contact all the time.

9. Safety measures in the risky areas

Before sending our team to the site, our team leaders will first point out all the areas and brief the team members. They’ll clearly specify the areas to keep away from(Red Zones) and allocate various teams in the Orange zones. They will elaborate on the safe operating procedures in each zone in regard to PPE. 

By designating only one person to a particular position contact will reduce in the Orange Zone. Individuals must be directed to avoid any unnecessary contact and minimize the time they spend in the zone. They should also avoid coming into contact with other people. Washing and sanitizing their hands every 20 minutes, always wearing gloves and masks will be required. Nobody else is allowed within 2 meters of the working zone.

Our team will also be advised to avoid the areas of exposure in the Yellow Zone. Another way to help reduce the chances of contact is through protective measures like padding surfaces and lifts and also using PPE. 

As long as the staff practices safe physical distancing of being at least two meters apart and not bringing any high-risk items into these zones, the Green Zones will be operated with minimal caution. We advise against sharing things like mugs, lighters, cigarettes, food, bags and any other thing that might cross-contaminate.

10. PPE and hygiene practices

Our employees will be provided with the proper PPE including hand sanitizer, gloves and products to clean the surfaces. They will also be urged to clean their hands for at least 20 seconds after every 20 minutes and to wear disposable gloves. For those who aren’t comfortable wearing the standard PPE gloves, latex gloves shall be provided. 

Vans will have extra PPE supplies and the drivers will have to clean areas of exposure several times during the day with the surface cleaning supplies issued. 

Team leaders will clean tools and materials supplied by Office Removals London. They will use wipes or a disinfectant spray to clean the materials and tools before any exchange between the operatives. All this shall be done at the company’s facilities.

Wipes and hand towels must be disposed of safely in the sanitary beans provided to avoid anyone else coming into contact with them.

11. Client correspondence

Communication with clients is essential for our business, and we’ll handle it through phone calls or online correspondence. In the case that our clients don’t feel at ease being within the same space as our operatives, then client interaction won’t be necessary. There’ll be a series of directives that our team will operate under.

If our client’s preference is that our surveyors come to the site with full PPE, i.e gloves and masks, we’ll gladly do that. Either way, all surveyors will practise safe social distancing and minimise all contact.

12. Renunciation

This is the policy at present for Office Removals London which is enforced strictly on all our staff. If any of our employees don’t feel comfortable complying,they are urged to keep off from ours and our clients’ premises until there is a change in the governments’ guidelines.

Alterations may be done on this policy depending on any revision of government directives, and Office Renovations London will do the necessary to implement the governments’ instructions to help curb Covid-19.

Office Removals London will not endanger our clients or employees and will halt our functions if we realise at any stage that our safety policy is uncertain. In case of any queries regarding the information above, please do not hesitate to reach out.