Introduction:
Following the statement from the government on the 4th January 2021 we have reviewed and reissued the below statement and plan.
It is apparent that this new strain of the virus is now easier to catch and pass around so the measures detailed in this plan around social distancing, wearing masks and cleaning your hands have never been more important.
The following procedure sets out the contingency measures that the Businesses will bring into effect.
The plan aims to ensure that all business divisions can operate as normally as possible, albeit, with a potentially reduced workforce. We are going to need complete flexibility and a common-sense approach to get us through this renewed crisis.
Procedure:
You are responsible for familiarising yourselves and understanding this policy. If you are unsure or require more clarification, you must speak to your line manager or a Director immediately.
A dedicated team of people from our businesses will monitor Government advice and provide clear updates on how we will operate, as further potential restrictions are put into place.
As a contingency measure, employees will be requested to work from home where they can. If you are working from home you should ensure that you are still available on the cloud based internal phones systems. This can be achieved by using your computer, smart phone or taking your desk phone home with you. We will also be looking to operate the working-from-home rota in bubbles so that you are always (where possible) working with the same people. Should any members of staff get tested positive or show signs of being infected we will then be able to shield the appropriate bubble to prevent further risk.
We will also be looking to utilize the governments job retention scheme to protect employment by furloughing employees if it is felt the workload dictates.
Rest assured we will do everything possible to ensure your safety and keep the businesses running as best as they can be.
In the event of a ‘Lockdown’ of the building(s) for whatever reason, an ALERT will be communicated expeditiously by a Director. At that time, we may choose to review other related policies which deal with leave of absence.
Employees should self-isolate as detailed below and take a COVID test as per government guidelines:
14 days if;
and/or someone in their household has the above symptoms;
and/or the employee has had close contact with someone with the above symptoms;
or you have been requested to do so by Test and Trace;
or you have returned from a country not on the government exempt list.
10 days if;
you have shown symptoms (fever, new continuous cough, or loss/change to taste or smell).
Employees, whilst in work, are required to strictly adhere to the measures put in place to keep the risk of infection to an absolute minimum.
Business Continuity:
Engineering/Field Teams:
All PPSPower engineers and field-based managers have been issued with hand sanitiser kits. These should be used as well as washing your hands to ensure hygiene management (as detail by the WHO) prior to visiting sites and after leaving a site.
Gloves and face masks should be worn on all sites within the buildings. This also applies to YorPower field based and/or commissioning staff and sub-contractors. Gloves are not a replacement for good hand hygiene as previously mentioned, wash your hands before and after their required use.
Employees should not be travelling in the same vehicle for any period of time for any reason.
If any employee starts experiencing symptoms whilst on a client’s site you should immediately remove yourself from the work area and remove yourself from any interaction with others. Ensure that you inform your line manager/controller and client contact ASAP.
Head Office Teams:
The head office is open as usual. However, it is closed for all non-urgent meetings and delivery staff are not permitted to enter the building. All collections are carried out at distance and hygiene management (as detail by the WHO) should be conducted following all deliveries. Gloves should be used to collect deliveries at all times. Unless you are authorized to sign off a goods-in note, you do not have the authority and you will be in breach of this policy.
All head office employees should have completed the COVID19 Awareness training session on our internal training portal.
If you have any questions or concerns about anything that has been detailed above please do not hesitate to contact myself directly or your company contact on 0345 200 9888.
Thank you and stay safe,
Stephen Peal
Managing Director
PPSPower