In association with


SPECIAL FOCUS


HRS seeks your nominations for WRD Award


T he Hampshire


Refrigeration Society is seeking nominations to celebrate the upcoming World Refrigeration Day on 26 June. In recognition of this eventful day, the HRS will present the World Refrigeration Day Award at its annual golf day, which this year is 15 July. Nominations should be for an individual who has shown exceptional skills, support, vision and furthered the advancement of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry. If you, or someone within


your organisation, falls into this category please email your nomination with a brief summary outlining why you or a colleague should be considered to hampshirerefrigerationsociety@ gmail.com


The deadline for nominations 15 June.


Contractors’ Corner


M


ore than two-thirds of employees (68 per cent) are worried about contracting


Coronavirus when they return to their place of work after UK restrictions ease, a new survey has found. The survey, carried out by JD Cooling Group, the UK’s leading independent supplier of environmental control systems, found that despite the extensive vaccine roll out, many people remain cautious about the prospect of a return to the office. Almost half (47 per cent) of those surveyed cited the possibility of catching Coronavirus through airborne transmission indoors as their biggest concern, followed by 40 per cent who said poor air quality is a worry for them about returning to their workplace. Two in five said they are concerned their co-workers might not be vigilant enough with hand washing, while 37 per cent of people admitted to being concerned about others not wearing masks. Lack of space is also an issue, with 35 per cent concerned about meetings in smaller rooms with limited ventilation, and a third (33 per cent) concerned about social distancing not being possible. Despite these worries, there are a number of solutions that would help


reassure employees about returning to work, with three in five (62 per cent) saying they would like a ventilation system installed to improve air quality, circulation and flow. Social distancing measures being in


place and enforced would reassure two in five (42 per cent), while a third (33 per cent) would be reassured by regular cleaning of surfaces. Two in five (39 per cent) would be reassured if the majority of the company had been given a coronavirus vaccine – slightly higher than the 32 per cent who would be reassured if they had been given the coronavirus vaccine themselves.


Changes to the workplace would also help to provide reassurance, as three in ten (31 per cent) support changes to allow them to have their own office or workspace, 26 per cent supporting Perspex screens being added to their workspace, and a fifth (18 per cent) feeling reassured if gloves and PPE was provided.


Mike Gould, HVAC manager at JD Cooling Group said: “This data clearly shows that while there are measures in place, such as face masks and social distancing, people remain concerned when it comes to the next stage of restrictions


The study also found a significant


minority (42 per cent) said that they would be likely to consider looking for another job if their employer did not put in adequate measures to minimise the spread of Coronavirus before they returned to their normal workplace. This highlights the importance of employers taking steps to protect their workforce. Beyond this, the pandemic will


undoubtedly have far-reaching long- term impacts on workers’ attitudes, as a third (35 per cent) say that they will be more concerned about catching common colds and flu viruses at work than they were before the pandemic, even after the vaccination programme has been fully rolled out.


lifting, and it won’t be enough to simply open doors and windows to encourage better air flow. Even with the vaccine roll out, proper ventilation is coming out as the top way to help employees feel comfortable about returning to the office. “Good ventilation can rid a workplace of contaminated and stale air. As people are still clearly concerned about catching the virus at work, it’s important that employers do what they can in order to protect, reassure and ultimately keep their workforce safe.”


Thermofrost 12 June 2021 www.acr-news.com


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