Hi there, 

We are an FM company dealing with plumbing, gas, electrical amongst others. We are being asked to write risk assessments to cover the possibility of attending emergency call outs to self isolated households to symptomatic people (student flats, nursing homes, private residences etc). Can anyone advise me on what would be your process here? 

I suggested pre-arranged segregation between engineers and clients (minimum 2m) with gloves /masks as required. Obviously the normal hand washing routines etc. Engineers are already signing tablets on competion of works, no contact with clients. 

However, a client has suggested we should be adopting the same level of PPE/processes as those in clinical settings due to contact with contaminated items (double gloves, full face visors, overalls, wellington boots,  full decontamination on exit) what are your thoughts on this? I do not have the means to offer this level of precaution. If this is the case, I think my only option would be to ask for the clinet to be moved out and the property deep cleaned prior to attendance? 

To complicate matters, we are struggling with access to additional masks and hand sanitisers, so are currently rationing... 

Any thoughts or suggestions would be gratefully recieved. 

H&S bods always tend to back down when the person with the purse strings asks a question of the employer - I am going with Ray on this one "Dear Client please ensure the work space you expect my staff to work in with respect to our existing contract is safe and free from risk, otherwise we can discuss the additional costs to your invoice beyond the standard service level in order to complete works".

Next they will be asking you to remove all asbestos from site, etc.....

This was addressed yesterday on the Jeremy Vine radio show on Radio 2 - never thought anything he said would be of any value but this advice is I think. 

Essential repair workers - ring the client, ask them to open the door and to leave cleaning materials including a clean hand towel or paper towels for hand drying ready to hand for the engineer to use and then they should  move into another room or the garden, talk to them from a distance of at least 2m, or through a closed door.  When finished the engineer should clean down the area where they have been working and wash their hands.  Employers should waive the need for the client to sign paperwork / notepad computers for the time being so that the engineer doesn't need to have contact with the client.

As was said on the radio yesterday you can't leave people with no heating, hot water or lighting etc at a time like this!!