REGULAR SOMBREROS OR


SOU’WESTERS? THE UNPREDICTABILITY


OF THE BRITISH SUMMER Although, of course, summer comes around every year, it always raises questions related to maintaining productivity and health and safety, says James Shaw of insurance broker Darwin Clayton.


British summer is here, that wonderful mix of long glorious sunny days and torrential downpours as thunderstorms rage. It makes planning what to wear in the morning a bit of a challenge, never mind operating a cleaning business.


So, how do you maintain productivity levels in the face of adverse weather and still keep operatives safe and healthy?


For instance, are you planning for a day sweeping up dry Saharan dust blown in on the summer breeze or mopping up flash floods after the heavens have opened? Will your operatives be able to get to their destination or will roads be blocked? If they do arrive safely are they in danger of heat exhaustion when they get there? The answer is you just can’t know and therefore need to be conducting risk assessments and planning for a variety of scenarios over the coming months.


The following three tips will help ensure employers’ can meet their duty of care to employees:


1


LIMIT EXPOSURE TO EXTREME HEAT


Exposure to strong sun may not be a major or relevant risk for staff who work inside, but you still need to consider their journey to the building, especially if it involves carrying equipment or cleaning products. The risk is far greater though if the operative is responsible for external cleaning works – see if the work can be done early in the morning or late in the day.


Also consider what would happen if the air conditioning fails during a hot


www.tomorrowscleaning.com


spell. Hoovering can be warm work at the best of times!


2


DEEP WATER AND CARS DON’T MIX


It seems amazing, but every time a road floods, the internet is inundated with videos of drivers who attempt to carry on regardless, sometimes with quite spectacular results – which overwhelmingly end in failure.


Make sure your drivers are aware of the risks and that time is built in to take alternative routes to the work place. Inappropriate driving in these conditions will not only mean missed shifts and disappointed clients, but could also see large vehicle repair bills and periods of sick leave if people get hurt.


3


CAN YOU BE MORE FLEXIBLE? When dealing with the different


extremes of the British summer, it’s worth reviewing your company procedures and ways of working. A temporary relaxation or change might make all the difference.


In the heat, a company’s dress code is often the subject of discussion (as are dress codes more generally following the recent story about compulsory high heels at PwC). There are many benefits for cleaners wearing uniforms, but do you have a lighter version suitable for hot weather? Are waterproofs and boots available for sudden downpours? If appropriate clothing isn’t provided, then existing uniforms may be worn inappropriately; an unbuttoned PPE tunic could snag on equipment or furniture causing injury.


Contract cleaners usually have firmly set hours, but clients may be prepared


to be flexible – especially if their own employees are offered more flexible hours of working, or the option of home working.


While daytime cleaning is generally a better option for cleaner work/ life balance, a temporary switching to overnight cleaning may be advantageous in the event of a prolonged heatwave. Assessing your options in advance may make it possible to sound out clients, and cleaning staff, so you are prepared to alter staff rosters. Switching to earlier or later starts to the working day, could also help.


RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT While it is important that workers use their common sense in these situations, a company’s management has the responsibility of ensuring that it adapts in order to reduce or eliminate risks caused by extreme weather events. For example, it may be necessary to conduct health surveillance, medical screening or a staff communication campaign highlighting ‘signs and symptoms’ to look out for and things they can do to protect themselves.


The important thing is to assess the risks and document them, and if necessary speak to your insurer to make sure you are covered should the worst happen.


www.darwinclayton.co.uk Tomorrow’s Cleaning July 2016 | 31


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