MIPS Covid-19 Policy And Precautions

During this pandemic, MIPS has been instrumental in enabling health providers and related services to develop enhanced facilities and ward upgrades on a number of new sites such as at the Louth County Hospital, a new development which we completed in less than a week, allowing 25 people to be treated for Covid-related illness.

Whilst striving to provide our customers with first-class products and services, the health, safety, and wellbeing of all those who work both with us and for us, is always our core priority.

We are constantly monitoring how the crisis evolves to ensure that we lead the way in developing processes and procedures to care for those around us. MIPS employees have been issued with industry-specific guidance documentation and are contacted daily to ensure working conditions are safe and in line with Covid guidelines. All MIPS staff have received Covid-specific safety training and have full access to high-quality PPE.

We endeavour to ensure that all sites we work on are fully compliant with the current recommended Covid-19 precautions, provide protection for our staff and remain operational.

Risk Management

Our IT systems are robust and secure and as part of our Business Continuity Plan, we have data and system back-up and recovery procedures in place for security and peace of mind.

Although the main contractor is responsible for the management of a site, we empower our staff to make their own informed decisions with regards to working practices which may affect their welfare and the welfare of those around them. We encourage our staff to communicate openly with both MIPS and site management if they have any concerns regarding on-site safety and we will fully support them if they feel a site is unsafe and remedial action is not taken promptly.

Head Office:

• To enable efficient remote working where possible, we have provided staff with technology as well as procedures, support, advice and services to support both their mental and physical health.
• MIPS has provided an Employee Assistance Programme to all staff.
• MIPS have minimised the number of all non-essential visitors. All staff and visitors are temperature checked and recorded in line with Covid guidelines.
• All staff are required to wash/sanitise their hands before entering or leaving the building and regularly throughout the day.
• All common contact surfaces in reception, the offices, canteen, storeroom, workshop, toilets and delivery areas are regularly cleaned and disinfected including phones, keyboards, desks, doors/handles etc.
• Enhanced cleaning regimes for toilet facilities especially door handles, locks and the toilet flush.
• Limiting the number of people in attendance at site inductions and, where possible, they are held outdoors.
• Providing ample hand sanitiser where handwashing facilities are unavailable.
• Meetings are held outside/in open areas/digitally where possible, otherwise in well-ventilated rooms.

Transport:

• All MIPS site staff are provided a company-allocated vehicle. The sharing of vehicles is not encouraged.
• Sanitising products and protective gloves and masks are placed in each work vehicle and must be checked/re-stocked at least once a week.
• Regular cleaning of the inside of vehicle cabs and between each use by a different operator.
• Drivers should remain in their vehicles if the load will allow it and must wash or clean their hands before and after unloading goods and materials.
• Extra precautions are in place for manual handling where multiple participants are required.

New Standard Site Precautions:

• Limit the number of people in attendance at site inductions and, where possible, hold them outdoors.
• If an activity cannot be undertaken safely due to a lack of suitably qualified personnel being available, adequate sanitation provision, or social distancing being implemented, it should not take place.
• Anyone who has a high temperature and/or a new, persistent cough must self-isolate and not attend the site.
• Those who are vulnerable or living with someone who is self-isolating or vulnerable must not attend the site.
• Avoid touching anyone or anything whenever possible.
• Always wear a face mask and any other PPE prescribed for the situation.
• Hand cleaning facilities should be provided at entrances, exits and all communal areas.
• It is recommended that workers should bring pre-prepared meals and refillable drinking bottles from home.
• The workforce should also be required to stay on site once they have entered it and not go off-site to use local shops etc.
• Dedicated eating areas should be identified on site and should have a thorough cleaning regime including tables, chairs and door handles.
• Break times should be staggered to reduce congestion and contact at all times.
• Workers should sit 2 metres apart from each other whilst eating and avoid all physical contact.
• Non-essential physical work that requires close contact between workers should not be carried out.
• Re-usable PPE should be thoroughly cleaned after use and not shared between workers.
• Single-use PPE should be properly disposed of/recycled so that it cannot be re-used.