Coronavirus Official Statement

12/03/2020

Altitude Safety continues to monitor Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation Nationally, and the safety of our employees, customers and partners is our top priority.

In conjunction with our Group Safety Committee, we have already implemented additional precautions both internally for our staff and externally for our customers, delegates, partners and wider supply chain.

Due to the nature of our services, all our hire and safety equipment already goes through a rigorous sterilisation process. This also includes using anti-bacterial and anti-viral solutions.

As part of our exacting standards, for hire and service equipment, the following processes are already carried out in line with our ISO9001 policies. These processes were in place prior to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

As standard, you can expect the following processes from Altitude Safety:

  • All our hire and service equipment is sterilised with Distel (TM305) which has both Anti-bacterial and Anti-Viral properties. The data sheet can be found here. It has been tested on coronavirus
  • Any equipment where chemical products cannot be used it is either washed or steam cleaned
  • Items such as harnesses will be washed and thoroughly dried to reduce the risk of pathogens. Please note: Service turnaround times may be increased to support this process
  • All our service and hire equipment is segregated into “clean” and “dirty” areas to avoid cross contamination.
  • Safety equipment for purchase is also segregated in a different warehouse Control measures relating to customers, delegates, partners and wider supply chain.
  • At this point we can confirm that all our onsite service technicians have not travelled to any of the countries that are on the Government watch list. We continue to monitor staff travel in line with our internal policies.
  • High risk, smooth non-porous, surfaces where the virus can survive longer will be steam cleaned to ensure a high pathogen kill
  • We have increased the concentrate levels of Distel
  • We are increasing our stock levels of Distel
  • Transit cases will now be deep steam cleaned upon receipt and when they leave the building
  • Additional sanitiser stations are to be added to service centre and office entry points
  • Additional advice signage has been added to service centres and offices such as; “Catch it, Bin it, Kill” it as well as specific advice for educational sectors
  • Hand washing advice to be added into welfare facilities
  • We have increased contracted cleaning services with specific instructions to daily disinfect all frequently touched surfaces
  • Disposal gloves have been issued to all our service centre technicians
  • We have also nominated internal staff to clean down frequently touched areas throughout the day
  • Video conferencing should be considered for external meetings
  • Ensure adequate provision of antibacterial handwashes / soap in all toilet facilities
  • The Senior Leadership Team and the Group Safety Committee have signed up to Public Health England Alerts
  • Communicate with our partners and supply chain on the actions we have taken and ensure that they are also implementing similar control measures

Internal control measures relating to employees:

  • Where possible, we are encouraging video conferencing for internal meetings and reducing all nonessential travel
  • Ensure sick leave policy is flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are reminded of these policies
  • Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to self-isolate for a period of 7 days as per the current Government guidelines or until they are free of fever (37.8° C or greater). Before returning to work, employees must be clear of signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants)
  • All employees have been issued with a tissue box and encouraged to sneeze and cough into tissues and then properly dispose of them
  • Ensure adequate provision of antibacterial handwashes / soap in all toilet facilities
  • Inform employees that some people may be at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions
  • Ask Managers to prepare for possible increased numbers of employee absences due to staff illness or their family members
  • Cross-train team members (if relevant) to perform essential duties so that the businesses can operate if key staff members are absent
  • Reduce physical contact such as handshaking
  • Share plan with employees and explain what (if any) revised policies and pay and benefits will be available to them in the event of an emergency scenario
  • Reduce desk sharing or “hot desking” where possible
  • Staff returning from leave will be contacted prior to their return to work to check if they have visited any high-risk areas. Anyone who has visited a high-risk area will be advised to self-isolate, as per the current Government advise
  • We are reviewing working from home policy and arranging additional facilities to enable wider remote working.

We will continue to follow the World Health Organisation and UK Government guidelines relating to COVID-19.

Given the changing nature of the situation, our control measure and policies surrounding COVID-19 may change and be updated. We will continue to communicate these where applicable.

Our aim is to provide critical safety and compliance equipment in the safest environment possible.

Follow our social media or our news page and we will keep you updated where appropriate.

Go Back to News

Need to talk to us about Safety Equipment?

Request a Call Back

Offers & Insights