Lakes, with the endorsement of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), has produced ‘Safe Working in the Home’ guides for installers and homeowners on how to install bathrooms safely post-Covid.
The guidance is split between homeowners and installers to give an overview of the latest government and industry advice about best practice when bathroom installers and plumbers are working in a client’s home.
Mike Tattam, Lakes sales and marketing director, said: “Many home improvement projects were put on hold during lockdown, but with restrictions now easing, homeowners and installers are keen to pick up where they left off, while minimising any potential risks. We’ve created these simple guides to help everyone get back to ‘normal’ as safely as possible.”
The installers’ guide goes through the whole process of preparing for a new project, best practice when working in a customer’s home and what to do when a job is completed. All with the purpose of making sure that the installation is done in a clean and hygienic way.
The homeowner guide is to reassure the customer that there are steps being taken to protect their household and the installation team against exposure to any virus.
Tom Reynolds, chief executive for the Bathroom Manufacturers Association said: “Over the past few months, during the Covid-19 lockdown, people have spent a lot of time looking at their homes and thinking how they could be improved. Now homeowners are finally able to put their plans and ideas into practice, it is important they have full confidence that the work can be carried out safely.
“BMA is supporting all efforts by our members and partners to provide consumers with that confidence. These guides admirably provide practical advice for stockists, installers and homeowners. I recommend them wholeheartedly to you.”
Part of the campaign is the ‘Safe Selling, Safe Working’ logo, which can be used for installers to show that they are committed to working safely. The logo is free to use on van livery, social media, websites, POS and other promotional material to show the company is following best practice.
Tattam added: “Staying safe is everyone’s responsibility and that includes suppliers. It’s in all our interests to get the industry back to work selling bathroom products and installing with confidence in a safe way.”
The ‘Safe Working in the Home’ guides are available now from the Lakes and BMA websites. Further reading about safe working practices is available from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and government-endorsed Trustmark’s ‘Work Safe, Safe Work’ campaign at www.worksafesafework.info.