COVID-19 Risk Assessment

Updated 18/05/2021

External office protocol

Viewing Appointments

• Enquire whether occupants or applicants have had virus or are showing symptoms.
• Establish if they are in an ‘at risk’ group and agree appropriate measures.
• 30-45 minutes per viewing slot to allow for procedure -15 minutes for travel & preparation and 15 minutes for viewing.
• Viewing guide to park in street and allow driveway to be clear for applicants.
• Masks and gloves to be worn by viewing guide who will arrive 10 minutes early.
• Viewers will be required to wear masks on all viewings.
• Sanitiser to be carried by viewing guide at all times.
• If an agent is to show the property then the seller will vacate for the duration of the visit.
• Only 2 adult members of the same household to view at any one time
• No children to enter property to keep risk to a minimum.
• All external and internal doors including cupboards to be opened prior to visit.
• Applicants to refrain from touching anything within the property.
• Viewing guide or occupant to tour property observing social distancing rules at all times limit communication at property. Ask applicants to contact office.
• Check, close doors and secure property before leaving
• Occupants should take responsibility for cleaning appropriate areas post viewing.
• If vacant then viewing guide will need to complete this task after every viewing.

Market Appraisal Appointments

• All valuers to carry sanitiser and cleanse before and after all visits.
• Gloves to be worn on all visits and discarded afterwards.
• Masks are not optional and should be worn at all times, client to open all internal and external doors.
• 2 metre social distancing applied at all times.
• Valuer will not touch anything, accept a drink or sit down.
• Presentation to be carried out at property or via a Zoom meeting or similar from office afterwards subject to client requirement.
• Usual presentation pack prepared and either discussed and left with client if appropriate or shared via Zoom/emailed subsequently.

Internal office protocol

• Full time, office based staff to take a Covid test twice a week from home, prior to entering workplace and report result to line manager who will duly record. Part time staff and those working from home are required to take a home test prior to visiting branches adopting the same reporting procedure.
• Any member of staff who considers themselves as ‘high risk’ or in a ‘vulnerable’ group, should discuss with their line manager and appropriate measures will be taken.
• Staff to wash hands every 2 hours as a minimum and whenever they enter the office.
• Surface cleaning in operational areas every 2 hours minimum.
• Observe 2 metre self-distancing rules with appropriate markings accounting for access areas Individual Perspex screens will be provided where necessary.
• Avoid directly facing colleagues.
• 1 person only allowed in Kitchen areas at any one time.
• 1 person only allowed in corridor areas serving toilets and other services at any one time. Toilet areas to be sanitised with Dettol/antibacterial wipes after use.
• If using kitchen equipment ensure placement in dishwasher immediately after use.
• Only prepare drinks/food for yourself. Not others.
• Only 2 visitors in the office at any one time and at markings displayed.
• Visitors not to touch anything and front doors left open where possible.
• Specific receptive area for goods deliveries/post and keys etc cleaned after use.
• Gloves to be worn by staff to retrieve and open packages.
• All keys received/handed out to be cleaned with Dettol/antibacterial wipes to sanitise after use.
• When returning keys viewing guides should Dettol/Antibacterial wipe all keys.
• No human physical contact.
• No personal deliveries acceptable.
• Open windows and doors where possible to generate air flow.
• Risk assessment published on website and within offices in all departments.
• All staff required to sign disclaimer to confirm they have read and will adhere to all risk assessment procedures.
• All offices are professionally disinfected bi-weekly.
• X-mist room sanitiser cannisters are available in all offices for immediate action when required.
• Masks are mandatory for all staff when not sitting at work station.