SWR installers understand that you may have some concerns about welcoming tradespeople into your home, due to the risk associated with the COVID-19 virus.
This guide for homeowners explains:
- How to make sure it’s safe for a SWR installer to enter your home.
- What your installer will do to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
- What you can do to help your installer also reduce the risk.
Make sure it’s safe for an installer to enter your home.
Before your SWR installer arrives, they’ll contact you make sure it’s safe for them to install windows or doors in your home. Your installer will need to postpone the installation if:
- Any person in your household has had COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, within 14 days of the installation date
Extra precautions will need to be taken if:
- Any person in your household is clinically vulnerable. E.g. someone over the age of 70.
How you can help:
- Let your installer know if you or anyone else in your household develops COVID-19 symptoms as soon as you can so they can plan a new installation date with you.
- Tell your installer if any person in your household is clinically vulnerable.
- Set aside a room that you and any other occupants can stay comfortable in during the installation to cut down on unnecessary contact with those working in your home.
Preparing for your home installation
Once your SWR installer has established it is safe to work in your home, they will start planning your installation.
This will include a site-specific risk assessment for your property. There are things you can do to prepare for their visit too.
- Your installer will discuss with you any rooms they’ll be working in and in what order.
- They’ll ask if there are any areas, they should avoid during the installation, such as where household occupants will be.
- They’ll advise if there are any areas, you should avoid during the installation.
How you can help:
- Move all ornaments, picture frames, plants, etc. from windowsills and away from surrounding areas.
- Cover any appliances or furniture in rooms that are being worked on. Your installer will provide clean or disposable floor coverings.
- Wipe down with disinfectant any areas your installer is likely to come into contact with during the installation.
- Don’t worry about supplying refreshments. Usually the SWR installers love a cup of tea but during the COVID-19 outbreak, they’ll be supplying their own refreshments.
During the installation
In order to safely install products in your home during the COVID-19 outbreak, your SWR installer will take extra precautions designed to ensure the safety and protection of your household and their team.
- Installers will comply with social distancing guidelines whenever possible; when not, face coverings will be worn.
- They’ll wash or sanitise their hands regularly, including before entering your property.
- They’ll provide floor protection and will sanitise all surfaces they come into contact with.
- They’ll bring appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) with them.
- They’ll minimise their movements around your property.
How you can help:
- When your installer arrives, agree with them any areas that will become out of bounds such as where you or other household members will remain during the installation.
- Try to comply with social distancing guidelines when near installer, whenever possible.
- Please provide a facility where installers may wash their hands regularly. Where installers may wash their hands regularly. They’ll be carrying hand sanitiser but soap and water is preferable.
- Please do not touch or handle any of your installer’s tools, materials or PPE.
- Keep internal doors to rooms that are being worked on open at all times to increase airflow and reduce contact with handles.
