Social housing repairs work ‘needlessly exposing’ tenants and staff to COVID-19, says union

A joint statement from Axis and Optivo said: “The health and safety of our residents, staff and contractors remains our number-one priority.

“Axis and Optivo have continually followed the government’s guidelines throughout this pandemic.

“We’ve invested significantly in training, communication and provision of PPE to ensure our visits are conducted as safely as possible.

“We’ve strict risk assessments in place for repair jobs and adapted procedures for carrying out the work.

“We request residents inform us if they’re self-isolating prior to any appointments so we can delay as necessary. We also double check when we visit and ask residents to follow social distancing and ventilation guidance while our operatives are in their home.

“Since the latest lockdown we’ve asked residents to only report emergency and essential repairs to us.

“Our repairs and safety checks are keeping residents’ homes safe and secure, reducing the likelihood of a safety issue due to disrepair.”

A representative from Mears said: “We have been asking all clients to not treat this situation as business as usual, even with government guidance as it stands.

“We do understand that some employees will be concerned in the current situation even with the best protocols and policies that we have in place. We support any colleague who feels somewhere is unsafe and wants to walk away from a property.

“While we fully support focusing on essential works, we equally recognise that for some tenants, a simple thing like a broken toilet seat, a loose bit of flooring or a broken light can be a real safety hazard and one where the repair is very much essential.

“Our COVID management group has met at least twice a week since March to ensure that we always are at the forefront of good practice on PPE and social distancing. We are very proud of what has been achieved here.

“We are in constant engagement with our workforce and with union representatives. As such, we don’t recognise the comments made, which are certainly not reflective of the approach we have taken to keep our staff safe.”

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “We continue to work with our housing repairs and maintenance contractor, Mears, to ensure that government guidelines are followed and appropriate social distancing measures are taken to protect both our residents and the staff involved.”

A Canterbury Council spokesperson said: “We have been assured by all of our contractors that they continue to follow the government’s COVID-19 guidelines at all times when providing these vitally important services to our tenants.”

A Comserv spokesperson said: “Comserv are fully committed to the health and well-being of our employees, contractors and the tenants of our client – Portsmouth City Council. We have implemented comprehensive COVID-19 safety measures and guidance to ensure our staff can work safely and in accordance with the latest UK government guidelines.

“These guidelines stipulate that repair works can be undertaken. Throughout the pandemic, we have continually reviewed our processes and undertaken audits to ensure that staff are continuing to work safely, and within the law and current guidelines.

“All the work being carried out is necessary repairs within Portsmouth Council properties. Staff are issued with PPE and have clear guidelines to follow on risk assessment and social distancing. Furthermore, staff have been informed that if the work cannot be performed safely, or if they believe their health is at risk, they are to remove themselves from the property. Under these circumstances, we respect the legal rights of our employees and contractors to refuse to undertake the works.”

Darren Sanders, cabinet member for housing and preventing homelessness at Portsmouth City Council, said: “Non-essential repairs are allowed under the government’s current guidelines. However they will only happen in Portsmouth if residents want them and they can be done safely. The tradesperson can decide not to do the job, even when on site, if it is not considered safe to do so.

“We have strict safety guidelines we have agreed with our contractors and any reports that safety guidelines are not being followed by either workers or residents will be taken extremely seriously.

“Undertaking some repairs during lockdown in a COVID-secure way will prevent a backlog of maintenance to build up and those non-essential repairs potentially become bigger issues and causing more problems and stress for our tenants and putting more pressure on workers. We have not received any complaints from residents.

“We will continue to keep our policy under review with the contractor as the coronavirus situation changes.”

A representative from Folkestone & Hythe Council said: “Our council officers and contractors are following central government COVID-19 guidance on working safely in people’s homes so we can safely visit properties to carry out inspections and repairs.”

A representative from Thanet District Council said: “In line with guidance issued by the government, maintenance services are considered essential. Statutory checks continue in order to maintain the safety of our residents’ homes. Similarly, any responsive repairs are only completed at the tenants’ request.

"In the event that a tenant is clinically vulnerable or extremely vulnerable, self-isolating or displaying symptoms, appointments are deferred or rearranged. We are assured that contractors check this prior to attending a property.

"We can confirm that our contractors have COVID safe procedures in place, including the use of PPE, cleansing of work areas and maintaining social distancing whilst working in people’s homes and access to asymptomatic testing. Where their own employees need to self-isolate, this is done in line with the legal duty to do so."

A Dover District Council spokesperson said: “Tenant welfare and safety remains of paramount importance to the council. All contractors who carry out work in DDC Council homes do so in accordance with current COVID-19 government guidelines. The council has an obligation to maintain homes and must ensure that properties are kept in good repair and are free from hazards. Contractors therefore continue to carry out essential and necessary maintenance work and must do so following strict COVID secure measures.”