COVID-19

WORKING SAFELY IN OTHER PEOPLES HOMES

After Build take the matter of ‘safe-working’ both at the office and particularly in other people’s homes most seriously

We have produced a series of important documents under the collective heading of Working Safely during COVID-19 In other people’s homes.

This forms a ‘protocol’ which shall be applied until UK government guidelines inform the industry that this is no longer required.

It is our responsibility to make the following parties aware of the After Build protocol:

After Build Clients (Developers, Housing Associations and certain Contractors)
Client’s Contractors (managed by After Build)
Client’s Customers (Occupants)
All After Build employees

After Build will communicate this protocol in several ways

On the After Build website
By email attachment to all After Build Clients
By email attachment to all Client Contractors when issuing a job instruction
By email attachment to Client Customers (Occupants)

The After Build protocol will be the only basis upon which our team of Coordinators will organise work to be carried out inside a home. It will be made clear to all parties that where this cannot be agreed by any of the parties (Contractors are as much at risk as the Occupants of a home), then we will not be able to organise works to take place at this stage.

Responsibility

After Build will ensure that all parties shall be made aware of this protocol but ultimate responsibility to adhere to these guidelines shall rest with the parties.

Should either party (Contractor or Occupant) report that the other has failed to follow this protocol, we shall be required to follow this up. This may result in either a Contractor refusing to return to a specific property, or an Occupant refusing to allow a specific Contractor to return to their property. Our team of Coordinators will endeavour to apply fairness and common sense throughout.

WHAT THE OCCUPANT RECEIVES

After Build take the matter of ‘safe-working’ in other people’s homes most seriously

We have published this ‘protocol’ which shall be applied until UK government guidelines inform the industry that this is no longer required. This is for the protection of you the Occupant and any Contractor who may be required to visit you to carry out certain remedial works.

This protocol is agreed with and endorsed by your Developer/Housing Association. Please follow these guidelines closely. The Contractor has also received a similar set of guidelines and, we believe that by both parties following the protocol, safe working will be observed.

You must inform our Coordinator at the point of making arrangements for a Contractor to visit your home if you or anyone in your household are in self isolation or suffering from the COVID-19 virus. In such circumstances we shall not be able to make arrangements with a Contractor to attend your home at this time.
If you or anyone in your household is considered clinically vulnerable, for example over 70 years of age, you must avoid face to face contact with the Contractor.
Throughout the duration of the Contractor’s visit you and everyone else in the house must isolate in a separate room.
The part of the house where the Contractor is working must be clean and clear of obstructions (furniture, personal belongings etc.).
Leave all internal doors open to minimise contact with door handles.
Hold any discussion with the Contractor either outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible.

Contractor guidelines

Please rest assured that the Contractor has received guidelines from us as a condition of any home visit. It requires that they shall:

Declare if anyone in their household is self-isolating or has the COVID-19 virus (this will automatically eliminate them from the list of safe Contractors.
Wear PPE (face mask and gloves).
Be particularly careful about coughing and sneezing.
Remove all waste from your home when they leave.
Ensure where more than one Contractor is in attendance that they use back-to-back or side-by-side communication and maintain wherever possible safe distance (2 metres).
Allocate the same operative should a follow-up visit be required.

WHAT THE CONTRACTOR RECEIVES

After Build take the matter of ‘safe-working’ in other people’s homes most seriously

We have published this ‘protocol’ which shall be applied until UK government guidelines inform the industry that this is no longer required. This is for the protection of you the Contractor and the Occupant who you may be required to visit to carry out certain remedial works.

This protocol is agreed with and endorsed by your Client Developer / Housing Association / Main Contractor. Please follow these guidelines closely. The Occupant has also received a similar set of guidelines and, we believe that by both parties following the protocol, safe working will be observed.

If you or anyone in your household are in self isolation of suffering from the COVID-19 virus you must not attend anyone’s home.
Carry out a simple ‘Risk Assessment’ reflecting the nature of the work you intend to conduct and the inherent risks of such work – be prepared to provide After Build with a copy of this should it be requested.
Avoid face to face contact with the Occupant particularly if they are considered clinically vulnerable, for example over 70 years of age.
You must provide and wear PPE (face mask and gloves) during your visit.
Be particularly careful about coughing and sneezing.
The part of the house where you have worked must be left clean – remove all waste and take it away with you.
Use back-to-back or side-to-side communication (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible.
If more than one operative attends, ensure 2 metre distancing.
Allocate the same operatives to a household if more than one is required or where job requires a revisit.
Hold any discussion with the Occupant either outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible.

Occupant guidelines

Please rest assured that the Occupant has received guidelines from us as a condition of any home visit. It requires that they shall:

Inform After Build at the point of making arrangements for a Contractor to visit their home if they or anyone in their household are in self isolation of suffering from the COVID-19 virus. In such circumstances we shall not require you to attend at this time.
Inform us if anyone in their household is considered clinically vulnerable, for example over 70 years of age.
Ensure they isolate in a separate room throughout your visit.
Clean and clear that part of the house where you will be working from obstructions (furniture, personal belongings etc.).
Leave all internal doors open to minimise contact with door handles.
Hold any discussion with you either outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible.