COVID-19 Customer Statement - Updated 03/04/20

We want to reassure you in these uncertain times that our teams are working hard ensuring we support critical business, services and infrastructure, and vulnerable individuals. The current situation is changing daily and we are constantly reviewing information and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Government and aligning closely with other Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) companies. We have taken time to ensure we are able to provide a safe and sustainable service to our customers in the current climate, we are reviewing our capacity daily to ensure we can maintain this service and have a prioritised approach, when or if, this becomes an issue.

We have adapted all our policies and procedures to reflect the added risk of COVID-19, and while our business priority remains the safety of our customers and employees, it now must include the prevention of COVID-19 in support of the Government’s strategy.

2. Our commitment to our clients
We will continue to deliver a service in these testing times where - to the best of our knowledge - our employees visiting customers sites are not carrying the virus and are those at least risk.
This statement is made on the understanding that:
· We are ensuring self-isolation of our employees - following foreign travel, or where our employees and/or others in the same household are showing any of the known symptoms in accordance with the advice given by Public Health England (PHE).
· Where our employees or their family members are classed as vulnerable, the position has been reviewed and our employees are considered able to work.
· Our employees are under no financial obligation or pressure to work currently.
We will consider the controls imposed by our customers and in conjunction with our own COVID-19 Risk Assessment and will discuss any anomalies with our customers to try and provide a solution. However, we will only work where we consider it safe to do so.

3. Prioritisation
As with any business, our available resource at any one time will determine the amount of work we can complete. Additionally, we need to be aware of our management of the risk of infection and contamination and the ability for our employees to spend as little time as possible in the field. The HSE has accepted this and advised a hierarchical approach.
The HSE has provided high-level guidance on prioritisation and the list below is based on this. It is, however, the Zurich Engineering approach, which clearly states how domestic settings and non-medical care homes fit within this structure.
· Hospitals, Frontline Health Care, Nursing homes, Emergency Services and Key infrastructure
· Supply chains to above
· Care homes
· Multi occupancy domestic type property Housing Association/local authority work –
· High rise - Over 4 floors (G,1,2,3)
· Low rise - 4 floors and under
· Other industry, commerce which remains open for business
Currently and only due to the COVID-19 issue, we maintain our stance not to enter single-occupancy dwellings (private houses or flats etc.). ZE, in agreement with SAFed, do not accept that social distancing, and the required hygiene arrangements can be provided in these areas.

4. Conditions for work under COVID-19
Our major risk for people at work in these testing times is the risk from COVID -19. Our risk assessment (RA COVID-19) provides you with preventative control measures to minimise the contamination and spread of COVID-19.
Due to current circumstances, we are facing challenges to our normal safe working procedures, particularly the use of a Site Responsible Contact (SRC). This is not only in relation to the COVID – 19 issue but also with lone working etc.
Therefore, with relation to the provision of an SRC the following approach will be adopted during these extraordinary times.
1. Conversations regarding site risks and control measures will be held PRIOR to arriving at site.
2. Our default position is for an SRC to be provided on site.
3. In relation to COVID-19 where an SRC cannot be provided on site, alternative measures should be implemented, which require the following points to be considered;
· Our Surveyor will be familiar with the site and associated risks, in addition, must be comfortable the requirements of our COVID-19 RA can be met and adopted.
4. In respect of lone working where an SRC cannot be provided on site or remotely, alternative measures will be implemented.
·Our “buddy system” will be adopted. Our current Lone Working policy states ‘In some circumstances another ES, working in close proximity, can assume the role of an SRC.’ Our policy remains the same, however this option may now be used more frequently.
5. Where points 3 and 4 cannot be achieved, 2 man working may be adopted - however social distancing must remain a priority.

Further measures we are asking our customers to provide are:
· Where possible a parking place shall be provided – (as our surveyors are no longer using public transport).
· Where appropriate, a separate entrance to the general public access to be provided.
· We will only inspect in common areas or machine rooms - we will NOT enter private flats or rooms
· Patient hoists/slings shall be cleaned/laundered prior to being provided for examination, in a common area – we will not enter flats for fixed equipment. If our surveyor is unsure this has been completed, a Not Available (NV) report may be issued.
· Hand-washing facilities should be provided where possible. PHE advise that in the absence of hand-washing facilities, a sanitiser is a suitable alternative. However, if the engineer surveyor feels suitable hygiene cannot be maintained, they retain the right to decide to discontinue the inspection until the situation can be resolved.
In situations where sufficient control measures cannot be adopted, engineer surveyors retain the right to decide to discontinue the inspection until the situation can be resolved.
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Contact Us
We have a dedicated team to help you with any Crimson queries.
Contact the team on 0121 697 9259 or email crimson@uk.zurich.com.

If you have any general or policy related queries, please contact us using one of the email addresses below.-
Zurich Engineering customers- eng.clients@uk.zurich.com
Zurich Municipal customers - zm@uk.zurich.com