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?

 

[Zerax]

This is a classic example of the need to apply "Common Sense" rather than searching the government literature to find the exact clause that's relevant to you.

So... visiting 10-20 occupied houses per week to do work that is not essential is clearly wrong... and the OP should be staying at home.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Occupied EICRs are impossible to do safely in the current climate I would say. Up/down ladders, in and out of rooms all day, testing at sockets and switches, moving stuff about to get to accessories etc etc etc...would have to deep clean each property and shove the occupiers in the garden for a few hours.

 

[littlespark]

If youre not allowed to visit your own family, then why go to a strangers house?

 

[newfutile]

thanks for all your advice im employed however my employer considers gas servicing and EICR an essential service .

 

[Andy78]

thanks for all your advice im employed however my employer considers gas servicing and EICR an essential service .

Ask them in writing for an updated risk assessment and health and safety procedure in light of new potentially fatal developments. Are they providing all the PPE to make this happen ?

Ask if their insurance covers them for you or customers suing them in the future for infecting households by continuing to work.

Ask for written instructions from them detailing that they are asking you to continue this type of work during this time

Tell them that you cannot effectively socially distance while in peoples homes and therefore they are not acting to govt guidelines.

Put the pressure back on them. It is their responsibility as an employer to consider all of this.

 

[littlespark]

The employers are being subsidised to pay you 80% of normal, on the condition that you don’t go out to work at all for non essential jobs.
Unless your servicing a hospital, it’s wrong.

 

[Midwest]

I can see that gas servicing could be deemed essential. I can’t see that carrying out an EICR is repairs or maintenance, unless the premise has been subject to recent accidental damage, e.g. a fire.

However, your employer is the judge of that, and will be responsible if you working causes unnecessary health issues.

 

[newfutile]

thanks for all the advice , im certainly not keen on either passing the virus around (if its that i had) or getting it . i think i will follow Andy78 advice and ask for the full written confirmation , i may end up just refusing to work as i consider it the morally right thing to do.

 

[Andy78]

thanks for all the advice , im certainly not keen on either passing the virus around (if its that i had) or getting it . i think i will follow Andy78 advice and ask for the full written confirmation , i may end up just refusing to work as i consider it the morally right thing to do.

Please consider all of this carefully too. If you suspect your employer may try to bin you over this, then it may be wise to get union and CAB advice first.

 

[Midwest]

I would contact Public Health England, seek some guidance on your dilemma.
You could give this guidance to your employer.

However, you work for your employer, under your terms of contract. If you will need to follow their absence from work conditions.

PS Acas is a good source of guidance on work place matters, including the current situation. They even have a helpline;

Covid: advice for employers and employees | Acas

Advice for employees, employers and workplaces during the covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

www.acas.org.uk

 

[newfutile]

I also asked NICEIC as im a QS for my employer there. they sent this back

 

[Zerax]

Please consider all of this carefully too. If you suspect your employer may try to bin you over this, then it may be wise to get union and CAB advice first.

I think a better approach is for the OP to talk to his employer so that both parties can better understand the situation, WITHOUT becoming militant with talk of unions, CAB etc. and 'binning' people.

 

[Andy78]

I also asked NICEIC as im a QS for my employer there. they sent this back

they want all members to keep working to protect their business interests.

A landlords duty of care to the tenants will also extend to allowing them to keep their home free from unwanted visitors in this period of lockdown.

 

[Midwest]

I also asked NICEIC as im a QS for my employer there. they sent this back

Hmmm, what are the requirements for landlords on when to carry out an EICR. I thought it was before a new occupation, or are these non domestic situations? Could these be arranged to be done when the property is unoccupied?

This is very early days into this 'lock down'. Its new ground that we are all treading on, including employers responsibilities. They are not going to get it right from the off, and we are in this situation for a long period of time.

 

[newfutile]

there are no legal requirements other than landlord and tenant act 1985 which places a duty to keep the property in a good state of repair , we comply to this (electrically) by an EICR on change of tenant and at 5 year intervals.
There is a new law making these compulsory which comes into force July 1st 2020