Working safely during COVID-19

The health, safety and well-being of our employees, customers and suppliers will always be a priority for Epwin Group Plc and is a key part of our decision-making process.

The UK Government have stated their encouragement of manufacturing, construction and building activity and have provided specific guidance on how to operate while minimising the risk posed by COVID-19 ; as a manufacturer of building products Epwin are a key part of the construction and building supply chain.

We continue to follow the latest UK Government advice in relation to safe working during COVID-19 and carefully monitor the COVID-19 situation and any changes in UK Government advice.

COVID-19 Risk Assessment

We have undertaken a COVID-19 risk assessment, taking into account how we operate whilst continuing to protect the health, safety and well-being of our employees, customers and suppliers. The Board of Epwin Group Plc, as well as the UK Government guidance, acknowledge that you cannot completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19, however, we aim to operate in a way that adheres to the Government’s guidance and minimises these risks as far as reasonably possible.

Epwin operates a number of different businesses from multiple locations. Each location, or type of business, has undertaken and documented a separate and detailed risk assessment, formulating specific actions appropriate to the type of operation as well as considering its size, headcount and location.

However, as a minimum, all risk assessments have considered and followed the steps below:

  • Increasing the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning;
  • Enable working from home, where this is possible;
  • Complying with social distancing guidelines (keeping people 2 metres apart where feasible);
  • Keeping activity time as short as possible and adapting working methods and practices, where appropriate;
  • Use of screens, barriers and PPE, where appropriate;
  • Reducing the number of people each person has contact with; and
  • Considering individuals who are especially vulnerable to the risks of COVID-19

The Group employs a number of health and safety professionals who are an integral part of the business, they have consulted with the employees in assessing the specific risks of COVID-19 and we have shared the results of the risk assessments with our employees.

As a Group we are also conscious of the potential impact of COVID-19 on mental health and well-being. In addition to the support provided by the Groups HR function and Occupational Health provider, we have implemented an Employee Assistance Platform which forms part of our Group wide employee health and well-being strategy. This platform provides a wide range of support on issues such as mental health, well-being and similar.

Issued on 1 June 2020