COVID Update: Emergency Work is Okay; Sitework is Okay 2 meters apart, Work in customers homes in general unless emergency is a NOGO.

[happysteve]

I don't get all this ambiguity stuff. The guidance is clear, might not want tradespersons want to hear, and I respect the fact its going to cause hardship, but it is what it is.

The guidance says, "Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms."

 

[Midwest]

The guidance says, "Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms."

I know, some people think that’s ambiguous.

 

[SparkyChick]

I know, some people think that’s ambiguous.

So how do you interpret it?

And to be clear... the written guidance changed.

I've attached the PDFs. One was released soon after the announcement on Monday. The other includes the part about working in peoples home.
[automerge]1585157113[/automerge]
The announcement from NAPIT is identical to the Stroma one and is basically a copy and paste of the written guidance from government.

 

[happysteve]

I know, some people think that’s ambiguous.

Pop quiz (anyone can join in!). Assuming you can maintain 2m from the client all the time in their home, you're feeling well, client not in isolation or shielded (ie someone who must remain indoors at all times)..

(1) Which of the following jobs would be permitted according to the government written advice?

... and (2) (optional): which would you be currently willing to do at the moment?

(a) client wants a (working) 2G socket swapping for a nice brushed steel one
(b) client wants a (working) 2G socket swapping for one with USB outlets
(c) client wants some power running to their shed
(d) client has 6x old CLF GU10 spotlights in their kitchen, 4 of them work, would like the lot changing for LED integral fittings
(e) client reports bathroom light not working (probably pull cord)
(f) client reports broken socket (the only one on that side of the kitchen)
(g) client reports funny plastic smell from shower, and it's a bit melty
(h) client reports no power, "the main trip's gone."
(i) client reports "every time I touch this metal light switch, I get a shock."

 

[SparkyChick]

(1) In my opinion based on the current government guidance you are allowed to do all of them.

(2) Which ones I think we should be allowed to do (which ones I would do)...

(a) No, not safety issue
(b) No, not safety issue
(c) No, not safety issue
(d) No, not safety issue
(e) Yes, quick job, in and out in under an hour
(f) Yes IF it was just the faceplate not working, if it was say a ring fault I'd probably just downgrade the MCB and leave it at that
(g) If they had other facilities, no, I'd advise not to use it, if not I'd go and sort it
(h) Unknown, would chat over the phone about it and take it from there
(i) Yes, potential death trap

 

[Midwest]

So how do you interpret it?

And to be clear... the written guidance changed.

I've attached the PDFs. One was released soon after the announcement on Monday. The other includes the part about working in peoples home.
[automerge]1585157113[/automerge]
The announcement from NAPIT is identical to the Stroma one and is basically a copy and paste of the written guidance from government.

You can’t carry on as you previously have; you can fix things (with the caveat) not install new things.
[automerge]1585158572[/automerge]

Pop quiz (anyone can join in!). Assuming you can maintain 2m from the client all the time in their home, you're feeling well, client not in isolation or shielded (ie someone who must remain indoors at all times)..

(1) Which of the following jobs would be permitted according to the government written advice?

... and (2) (optional): which would you be currently willing to do at the moment?

(a) client wants a (working) 2G socket swapping for a nice brushed steel one
(b) client wants a (working) 2G socket swapping for one with USB outlets
(c) client wants some power running to their shed
(d) client has 6x old CLF GU10 spotlights in their kitchen, 4 of them work, would like the lot changing for LED integral fittings
(e) client reports bathroom light not working (probably pull cord)
(f) client reports broken socket (the only one on that side of the kitchen)
(g) client reports funny plastic smell from shower, and it's a bit melty
(h) client reports no power, "the main trip's gone."
(i) client reports "every time I touch this metal light switch, I get a shock."

I refer my Honorable member to #36.

 

[SparkyChick]

You can’t carry on as you previously have; you can fix things (with the caveat) not install new things.

But that isn't what the guidance says. If you take away the example, which is only an example (and is open to interpretation as Dave pointed out earlier) and you strip off the parts about distancing etc. which are common sense, the guidance says simply that...

"Work carried out in people's home can continue"

As such, we are not being told to shut down which could be used to bludgeon us when it comes to trying to access financial help... "You weren't told to stop, so you should have carried on." I can see it happening already. And that in my opinion places us in an absolute dilemma.

I don't want to work and risk spreading it, but right now the guidance is I can work and the possibility that my choice to be sensible and stay at home unless it's an emergency concerns me from the point of view of trying to keep the business going if I get denied help because I elected to stop working.

That I think is all we're saying. I don't think any of us want to work and risk spreading this.

 

[Midwest]

But that isn't what the guidance says. If you take away the example, which is only an example (and is open to interpretation as Dave pointed out earlier) and you strip off the parts about distancing etc. which are common sense, the guidance says simply that...

"Work carried out in people's home can continue"

As such, we are not being told to shut down which could be used to bludgeon us when it comes to trying to access financial help... "You weren't told to stop, so you should have carried on." I can see it happening already. And that in my opinion places us in an absolute dilemma.

I don't want to work and risk spreading it, but right now the guidance is I can work and the possibility that my choice to be sensible and stay at home unless it's an emergency concerns me from the point of view of trying to keep the business going if I get denied help because I elected to stop working.

That I think is all we're saying. I don't think any of us want to work and risk spreading this.

Sorry, I know your livelihood (and survival) is at stake, but you know the answer really. Guidance is clear.

 

[Vortigern]

Of course you know the guy who authored that advice? Hugo Furst...

 

[Deleted account]

I closed my business down 2 weeks ago.

I have attended one emergency call out for a fried rcd In that time. I didn’t charge any extra, in fact I was happy to get out of the house I charged standard hourly rates rather than emergency call out rates.

I know the guidance says i can continue, but I have decided to do the right thing.

980 deaths yesterday tells me I’ve done the right thing.

how many more deaths before everyone sits up and listens and does the right thing.

everyone must follow there own consciences rather than just the governments advice.

 

[Baddegg]

I closed my business down 2 weeks ago.

I have attended one emergency call out for a fried rcd In that time. I didn’t charge any extra, in fact I was happy to get out of the house I charged standard hourly rates rather than emergency call out rates.

I know the guidance says i can continue, but I have decided to do the right thing.

980 deaths yesterday tells me I’ve done the right thing.

how many more deaths before everyone sits up and listens and does the right thing.

everyone must follow there own consciences rather than just the governments advice.

I agree with you @Vortigern...it’s just a shame conscience costs more financially for some than others...

 

[Andy78]

I closed my business down 2 weeks ago.

I have attended one emergency call out for a fried rcd In that time. I didn’t charge any extra, in fact I was happy to get out of the house I charged standard hourly rates rather than emergency call out rates.

I know the guidance says i can continue, but I have decided to do the right thing.

980 deaths yesterday tells me I’ve done the right thing.

how many more deaths before everyone sits up and listens and does the right thing.

everyone must follow there own consciences rather than just the governments advice.

Same. I cannot reconcile working with my own conscience.
I'm digging myself a financial hole I may not be able to climb out of but I'm happy I'm doing the right thing for everyone.

 

[DPG]

Same. I cannot reconcile working with my own conscience.
I'm digging myself a financial hole I may not be able to climb out of but I'm happy I'm doing the right thing for everyone.

Hope all goes well for you. Difficult times for a lot of people.

 

[Andy78]

Hope all goes well for you. Difficult times for a lot of people.

Thanks and the same to you.

 

[Doomed]

Shut the company down 3 weeks ago, seems the right thing to do, so far we know that we have lost a rewire but most people are happy to wait, dealt with 3 RCD trippings over the phone so far.