Clearview 223 - June 2020 | Page 69

BUSINESSNEWS ‘Return to work’ service to help businesses restart postlockdown operations PHASED REOPENING AND ‘MAXIMUM PROTECTION’ » HAFFNER MURAT began a controlled reopening of their business from Monday 18th May, 2020, with a team of service engineers fully operational from that date as they commence the first phase of reopening. Dave Thomas, Managing Director at Haffner Murat, said: “Our initial priority is to support our customers who are waiting for their new machinery to be installed. The backlog of installations includes nine machining centres, welders, corner cleaners and several computerised saws.” The Haffner Murat sales team will start back on the 1st June and will work from home at this time. The Staffordshire headquarters will also open from 1st June, 2020 with limited personnel working at the site at any one time. Like all responsible businesses, Haffner Murat are observing all Government guidelines and protocol as the wellbeing of their staff, suppliers and customers remains an absolute priority. Dave said: “We have reviewed and implemented new procedures throughout all business areas to ensure we can operate safely within the correct social distancing parameters and compliance with all Health and Safety procedures. We also have PPE equipment available for use by the team, both internally and externally, to ensure maximum protection at all times.” As the window industry continues its return to work, the balance between protecting workforce with the need to maintaining productivity and profitability has never been higher. Dave concludes: “Throughout the shutdown we have received regular enquiries from fabricators turning to automation as something that offers a solution for more than just the next few months. We are actively following up these enquiries and look forward to working with our customers once more.” www.haffnermurat.com » AS BUSINESSES PLAN their return to work following months of coronavirus restrictions, Bureau Veritas has launched a new service to help construction firms meet the robust health and safety standards required to safely restart their operations. It comes as the UK government prepares to end the coronavirus lockdown by drawing up guidelines for the safe return of employees to different working environments. According to latest reports1, the guidance, which has yet to be published, will differ according to each company’s operating environment. It will, however, seek to maintain social distancing, variable shift patterns, encouragement of continued homeworking and strict hygiene practices. Bureau Veritas’ ‘Return To Work Assurance’ provides a voluntary, independent assessment of a firm’s COVID-19 readiness to re-open their business premises, with a statement of assurance issued on completion that can be displayed on its website and at its properties. The scheme covers best practice measures required by firms to meet the local and international standards on managing coronavirus risks in the workplace. These include hygiene, disinfection and cleaning assessment, social distancing best practice, personal protection equipment requirements as well as employee specific risk assessment. Ken Smith, UK Chief Executive at Bureau Veritas UK, said: “As we emerge from lockdown, for almost all businesses across the UK, the urgent priority will be how to get back to work as quickly as possible and with appropriate health, safety and hygiene measures in place to protect their employees and their clients.” One of the key challenges for firms planning on resuming operations, says Bureau Veritas, has been deciphering conflicting advice on appropriate health and safety measures required in the workplace, which is impacting organisations operating across multiple countries in particular. Ken adds: “With many nations across the world having their own policies, regulations and standards on managing coronavirus risks, this can leave many multinational organisations confused as to the correct action to take. Luckily, as a global leader in compliance operating in more than 140 countries, our Return To Work assurance scheme can provide solutions tailored for specific sector and geographical needs.” To find out more about Bureau Veritas’ Return To Work Assurance Solution, call 0345 600 1828 or visit: https://share. hsforms.com/1tTRe4h7IQZOB HtRBmdDDfg2z02a CLEARVIEW-UK.COM » JUN 2020 » 69