RETURNING TO WORK CORONAVIRUS
Our trends in the north
Hi Neil, what sort of work do you do? Most of our work is around industrial and commercial contracting. We do some domestic work, but it has never been our main focus. We’ve got a 14-strong team, a number that’s remained pretty steady recently.
How was your business impacted by COVID-19? Initially it was like turning off a tap – the effect was immediate. In some cases there was a knee-jerk reaction. A few of our customers closed right away then opened again within two weeks. We kept cover in place for those customers who could be classed as essential. Gradually,
Knee-jerk reactions, new health and safety measures and people who are stuck in their ways – Aberdeen-based Member company AJ Robson has had quite a bit to deal with during the COVID-19 crisis. Director Neil Robson outlines how they’ve coped and how they’re keeping one eye on developments in the oil and gas sector
“Te hardest part for us is making sure that new ways of working are maintained”
we’ve seen business come back. We’re still affected now but we’re in a better situation than I expected. We’re at about 80% of where we were before lockdown.
Neil has seen business come back gradually as the lockdown eases
What precautions did you take? In the short term we had to concentrate on getting the health and safety side of things bang up to date. There were weekly COVID assessments, we had to get PPE in place, hand sanitisers and so on. All our guys now have visors and face masks. Rather than simple face masks we invested in antiviral snoods. These are reusable, while being laboratory- qualified to inhibit COVID, and at £20 a time they’re good value for money compared to disposable masks. People have adapted okay. Some are a bit old school. We’ve got a couple of guys who are more set in their ways, but everyone is coping.
Aberdeen’s economy relies on the oil and gas industry in the area
14 CABLEtalk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020
Did you have to put any workers on furlough? If so, how was that? Initially everyone was on furlough apart from four of us. Over time we’ve added people back in and now we only have two people on furlough. We’ve had no issues, everyone’s been fine with it. Before coming back to work we discussed the changes in the workplace
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