We are following Public Health England and Government’s advice to keep our customers and staff safe - please see our position below on maintenance and repairs. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Continuation of HIU maintenance and repairs during the COVID-19 outbreak:
1. INTRODUCTION:
Loka Energy provides critical frontline heat/ utility services to thousands of customers and their communities. These communities are reliant on the provision of heat and hot water. We view that the provision of heating and hot water, complies with the “Utility” section of the Key Worker definition and to this end it is critical that where possible the business remains operational with minimal disruption.
As a company we have thought carefully as to whether we should continue to provide in home maintenance and repair services to customer HIU’s, with particular consideration for the following issues.
2. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT ADVICE?
The government have given clear guidance on work carried out in people’s homes;
“Work carried out in people’s homes, for example by tradespeople carrying out repairs and maintenance, can continue, provided that the tradesperson is well and has no symptoms.
Again, it will be important to ensure that Public Health England guidelines, including maintaining a two-metre distance from any household occupants, are followed to ensure everyone’s safety.
No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where an individual is being shielded, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as emergency plumbing or repairs, and where the tradesperson is willing to do so. In such cases, Public Health England can provide advice to tradespeople and households.
No work should be carried out by a tradesperson who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild.”
3. ARE OUR STAFF SAFE?
Our team have carefully assessed the risks of working in people’s homes in light of the COVID-19 and have demonstrated that that with the correct control measures, works can be completed safely. These documents been communicated and understood by our employees and will be adhered to. Our staff will not be carrying out work if showing any symptoms of coronavirus. For further detail please review our RAMS for providing this work.
4. WILL OUR CUSTOMERS BE SAFE, WITH CONSIDERATION FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE?
Using the guidance provided by the government Public Health England, as well as clear control measures for our front line engineers to adhere to, we will not be attending households who are isolating or shielding from the virus – unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household.
5. CONTRACTUAL CONCERNS
If our Clients or customers have made decisions to temporarily postpone access to customer properties, we will of course respect their position. We will however expect to be relieved of any relevant contractual penalties for the period of time as a result of this, such as compensation payment due to a single HIU failure.
6. OUR POSITION
In light of the above considerations, Pinnacle Power will, for the time be continuing to provide maintenance and repair services within people’s homes.
As with the rest of the industry, we will continue to review the ever-changing landscape and implement & communicate any subsequent changes as necessary.
