Domestic EICR and covid 19

[newfutile]

I am currently on 14 days self isolation and myself and my son have had possible symptoms of covid.
My job is EICRs in domestic tenanted properties.
what are peoples views on this ?
should i refuse to work ,should i ask for risk assesments and method statements with PPE
it seems daft i cant visit my friends and family yet the goverment think its ok to enter 10-20 properties per week
theres no way you can social distance or avoid touching sockets , switches ,FCU and consumer unit so how can this be done safely?

 

[EricMark]

I have been self isolating from the start, and around a week ago I was ill, high temperature but no cough, only place I have been is the doctors where he insisted I went for B12 injection, so reasonable sure I have not had covid 19, but Kenny Dalglish tested positive and showed no symptoms, he went to hospital for something else, and was routine tested.

My point is until tested no one knows if they have got it or had it so only safe way to stop it being transmitted is testing, there must be a point where they can test people and say you have had it and recovered so you can work unrestricted, and issue a passpolice certificate to say your safe to work.

 

[newfutile]

i completely agree with you its an unreasonable risk to myself and tenants and i cant see how it complies with HASAWA 1974 and other laws regarding heath and safety

 

[Zerax]

My point is until tested no one knows if they have got it or had it so only safe way to stop it being transmitted is testing, there must be a point where they can test people and say you have had it and recovered so you can work unrestricted, and issue a passpolice certificate to say your safe to work.

I read this morning that about 50% of those that test positive, show no symptoms at all... couple this with the news that it's proving far more contagious than first thought... on average one person will infect 5.7 other people... it's not looking good.

As for the anti-body test... one of the main problems they reckon is the almost undetectable amount of them in known survivors. That's been the problem with the quick test kits so far... they only show positive results for in people with lots of em !

 

[Midwest]

i completely agree with you its an unreasonable risk to myself and tenants and i cant see how it complies with HASAWA 1974 and other laws regarding heath and safety

Is your boss still insisting?

 

[newfutile]

yes tho as i still have a slight cough im self isolating again on the advice of 111

 

[Baddegg]

yes tho as i still have a slight cough im self isolating again on the advice of 111

I can’t imagine if I was an employee and concerned for my and my families health that I’d be symptom free untill this is over.....?.....as some one that has employed people in the past there is no way I’d be expecting them to do what you’ve been asked unless it was an emergency, keep well mate and I hope you work it out ?

 

[newfutile]

im thinking i may have the symptoms for some time as well, then again im also tempted just to say no i consider it an unacceptable risk either to myself (if i have had it?) or to the tenants ,if they sack me at least i know i have done the right thing and stand on the moral high ground , i have my 18th my 2391 and have been a QS for the last 18 months , so im not too worried about finding a job (when interviews are permitted again)

 

[Baddegg]

im thinking i may have the symptoms for some time as well, then again im also tempted just to say no i consider it an unacceptable risk either to myself (if i have had it?) or to the tenants ,if they sack me at least i know i have done the right thing and stand on the moral high ground , i have my 18th my 2391 and have been a QS for the last 18 months , so im not too worried about finding a job (when interviews are permitted again)

Never let morals or principles come into business mate....take the easier sure option and stick with the ongoing symptoms and know there’s nothing they can or will do to you.....tribunals are fickle longwinded things and if it gets to that point there’s always 2 sides to a story....

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Personally I wouldn't be going into all those houses at the moment.
I did an EICR on bank holiday Monday as the flat was empty. Had a mask on, and gloves when I collected key from landlords bike shop. I sanitised the keys too!
Had the flat been occupied I wouldn't have done it.
Unless you are working outside or in empty properties I don't think gains justify the risks.
I appreciate if you are employed it's different as you don't make the decision but common sense needs to prevail.
I know a British gas engineer who is being sent out to service boilers in white oversuit, goggles and mask etc.. They don't ask about symptoms or isolation in the tenants. Just get given an address. . Its an annual service which could wait but if its not done by a date bg have to pay penalties as part of their contract to a large regional landlord Money above safety! Which we know is the BG way.

 

[Risteard]

Its an annual service which could wait but if its not done by a date bg have to pay penalties as part of their contract to a large regional landlord Money above safety! Which we know is the BG way.

Not disagreeing there, but the landlord is more at fault if they are not allowing the dates to slide whilst avoiding penalties.

 

[Simon47]

Something doesn't sound right. I can't imagine a contract not containing a force majeure clause. If the current situation doesn't warrant triggering that, I dunno what would ?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Something doesn't sound right. I can't imagine a contract not containing a force majeure clause. If the current situation doesn't warrant triggering that, I dunno what would ?

I think a lot of contracts have been worded poorly and most people never thought we would have what we have now. if folks thought it was a likely event this virus you can bet the insurers would have had water tight policies.
I also thought it was a bit funny that contract as any housing firm worth there money would appreciate you cant go round to peoples houses. but some companies are unreasonable.

 

[Simon47]

Perhaps report them to HSE ? Insisting on dangerous working practices in the name of profits is the sort of thing that makes for a good prosecution.

 

[newfutile]

ah the moment i still have a cough tho no other symptoms so 111 keep isolating me for 7 days at a time.i suppose they could dismiss me as at some point i will have to refuse to enter tenanted properties .

 

[Baddegg]

They can’t dismiss you if you have a fit note mate, and no doctor is gonna refuse you one at present, all the while symptoms persist stay off work and if they last 2 months so be it...