Activity:  Carrying out of portable appliance testing on Client’s premises.

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Sigma Pat Testing has carried out its own COVID-19 risk assessment and has concluded that all of their engineers and sub-contractors must follow the additional guidelines listed below, in conjunction with the current risk assessment guidelines set out in SPT02/RA Health and Safety Risk Assessment (issue 4 – 01/19).

1) Hygiene

• Frequent hand washing for a minimum of 20 seconds each time has been proven to cut the risk of transmission and engineers will carry out this procedure on a regular basis.

• Thorough hand drying using disposable paper towels.

• Tissues used to catch any coughs or sneezes.

• Where soap and water are not readily available, engineers will use the hand sanitisers and/or alcohol wipes provided.

• All wipes, towels, tissues etc. must be disposed of properly.

• Engineers are reminded to avoid touching their face, eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands.

2) Social Distancing

• Wherever practicable, engineers will work observing the 2m distancing rule – where this is not possible, engineers will wear additional PPE provided, such as face coverings, gloves and protective glasses as deemed necessary for the particular situation.

• Engineers are also reminded to observe social distancing rules when travelling to and from the work site and during rest breaks.

3) Cleaning

• Cleaning/disinfecting of test equipment and other frequently used items will be carried out by the engineers on a regular basis.
• As with wipes, towels, tissues etc. – cleaning items must be disposed of properly.

4) COVID-19 Symptoms

• In the event of an engineer reporting signs of COVID-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, he/she will not be allowed to continue to work but must adhere to the current guidelines on self-isolation.

• This also applies if an engineer reports that a member of their household is showing signs of COVID-19 symptoms – they must self-isolate as per government guidance.