Safeguarding
We are taking a practical, common-sense approach
to maintaining safe homes and buildings
The Safer Homes Group promotes positive, physical, and mental wellbeing in these unprecedented times.
We have prepared this guide to help our clients, tenants, staff and contractors protect against the risk of infection when carrying out inspections and/or assessments and other safety checks.
Latest UK Government guidance as of 11 May 2020 permits work to be carried out in homes and other types of buildings, provided that the occupants and our representatives are well and have no symptoms of infection.
Landlords’ obligations have not changed. Tenants, staff and visitors of homes and other types of buildings have a right to a hygienic, warm and safe place to live and work. It is in the best interests of both tenants, staff, visitors and landlords to ensure that properties are free from hazards and safe.
When completing an inspection and/or assessment, our staff and contractors will adhere to the following guidelines:
complete the inspection and/or assessment as quickly as possible
keep a minimum distance of 2 metres apart from all members of the household
wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot water. If handwashing facilities are not accessible, hand sanitiser will be used
frequently clean objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using their usual cleaning products
avoid touching anything unrelated to the inspection, assessment or appliance safety check.
limiting the number of workers within a confined space to maintain social distancing
only consuming their own food and drink and taking breaks outside of the property
remove all waste and belongings from the work area at the end of an inspection and/or assessment
for the time being appropriate PPE will be used where necessary
During our appointment we ask that you respect the following:
keep a 2-metre distance from the inspector and/or assessor where possible
identify busy areas across the household where people travel to, from or through, for example, stairs and corridors, and minimise movement within these areas during an inspection and/or assessment
ask that you leave all internal doors open to minimise contact with door handles
if you wish to discuss any work-related issues for an extended period of time with our inspector and/or assessor, it is best to do so outside or in a well-ventilated area
In accordance with UKGOV guidelines, we will not carry out inspections, assessments or appliance safety checks in either of the following circumstances:
if you or another person living or working at the property are showing any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus (cough, shortness of breath, fever), no matter how mild
where residential tenants are self-isolating or in quarantine
If you are concerned about any of the above guidelines in this policy, please contact a member of our team at info@safergroup.co.uk