Mash COVID-19 Company Policy 

INTRODUCTION

While the number of COVID-19 cases has reduced significantly in the UK, the virus still remains a threat. We recognise that Mash has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of its employees, agency workers, clients and the general public. Therefore, we are implementing a range of new measures to mitigate against the risk of infection as much as possible. This is a temporary policy based on Government guidelines and subject to ongoing review.

Please note that this is a general umbrella policy. Every new assignment will be risk assessed on a case by case basis and additional specific measures may be implemented.

This policy applies to all of our staff working on assignment for Mash’s clients. It is important that you read through the policy prior to confirming your booking on every new assignment as it is subject to regular updates. The most up-to-date policy will be published online. All agency workers engaged on assignment with Mash must adhere to the guidelines set out in this policy.

Policy elements

Mash staff preparation

• COVID-19 Ready training
• Pre-screening by Mash Staffing
• At home health check and screening

New safety guidelines for Mash staff:

• Travelling to work
• Safety at work
  • Mash staff expectations
  • Mash commitment
  • Illness protocol

Wellbeing support

MASH STAFF PREPARATION

COVID-19 Ready training 

• All Mash staff must complete the Mash COVID-19 Ready online training module. You must achieve a test score of 90% or above before you can be booked on assignment with Mash.
• The training covers the following elements:
  • Government guidelines on social distancing, illness protocol and hygiene.
  • Potential risks within the work environment, and how to avoid them.
  • Official advice on travelling to and from work.
  • Processes to ensure a clean work environment.
• You will then need to sign the COVID-19 Ready agreement, confirming your commitment to adhere to the policy.
• You may need to complete further training if a particular assignment requires it e.g. on product demonstrations, food handling etc.

Pre-screening by Mash Staffing

• Before your shift booking is confirmed, the Account Handler (AH) will run a pre-screening assessment over the phone. This will include the following questions:
  • Do you feel that you are at a higher risk of serious illness from coronavirus? (E.g. due to an underlying health condition, or other known risk factors.)
  • Do you have any symptoms of coronavirus?
  • Have you been in contact (within 2 metres for 15 minutes or more) with anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or its symptoms in the last 14 days?
  • Have you been overseas in the last 14 days?
  • Do you have the required PPE? This includes a face mask* and hand sanitiser.

*In the event that you are mask exempt, please raise this with your Mash Account Handler at the time of booking to discuss.

At home health check and screening

• On EACH DAY of an active assignment, you must complete the following health check before leaving for work:
  • Do you have a high temperature?
  • Does your chest or back feel hot?
  • Have you developed a new continuous cough? If you cough normally, is it worse than usual?
  • Have you lost your sense of smell or taste? Or do things smell or taste different to normal?
  • Is anyone in your household presenting with any of these symptoms?
• If the answer is YES to any of these questions YOU MUST NOT GO TO WORK. You should contact your Mash AH immediately, follow current government guidelines regarding self isolation and request a test.
• On receipt of a negative test result, you will be able to return to work once you have recovered from your illness (if applicable).
• You must also NOT GO TO WORK if you have you come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 over the last 14 days and/or you have been advised by a public health agency to self-isolate following contact with a confirmed case.
• In this instance, you should request a test and self-isolate for 14 days (irrespective of the test result, as advised by Government policy).

MASH STAFF LIVE DAYS

Travelling to Work

• Please minimise your use of public transport. Walk or cycle where possible; if travelling by car, avoid car-sharing with people from outside your household.
• If public transport is necessary, you should adopt the following mitigations:
  • Aim to stay at least 1 metre away from other passengers
  • Wear a face covering
  • Avoid touching surfaces where possible
  • Apply hand sanitiser regularly.
• Wash hands thoroughly on arrival at work.
• If you have any concerns about travel to/from the workplace, this should be discussed with your AH before being booked for the assignment.

Safety at Work

Mash staff expectations

• You are expected to read and adhere to clients COVID-19 policies prior to each assignment with Mash (where relevant).
• Only bring essential items to site, as we may not be able to guarantee a specified area for your personal items. All personal items must be stored in a closed bag and never shared with other members of staff.
• It is compulsory for you to bring an appropriate face covering and a supply of hand sanitiser. If you do not bring these items, you will be advised that you cannot work (unless they can be purchased immediately). In this instance, you will not receive payment for the assignment.
• The face covering should be plain and of a neutral colour (e.g. black or grey).
• You will be required to wash hands on arrival and before and after every break. Further regular hand washing will be encouraged, as well as the application of hand sanitiser.
• All staff will be expected to remain socially distanced throughout, including during break times.
• You should avoid touching your face, and cover any cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of it in a bin immediately.
• If the role involves touching product and communal workspace, you will be required to clean your hands more frequently with hand sanitiser, to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. We will work with our clients to ensure adequate protection available to you on site.
• If the role involves handling food products, more rigorous hygiene measures will be required. These will be communicated separately as part of the additional training.
• You will need to clean and disinfect objects and surfaces regularly, as set out by your Event Manager (EM) on site and/or within the briefing pack.

Mash commitment

• Mash will liaise with its clients to ensure:
  • Adequate hand washing facilities on-site, where possible
  • Enough space to enable social distancing
  • Sufficient number of rubbish bins, where possible
  • The provision of appropriate cleaning products (if unavailable, you will be able to purchase these products following approval by your Mash AH)
  • The provision of visors, if applicable
  • The use of floor tape, COVID-19 signage and barriers to support good hygiene and social distancing, where possible.

Illness protocol

• If you develop a COVID-19 related symptom such as high temperature, persistent cough or loss of sense of smell/ taste while at work, you must:
  • Return home immediately. Then follow the government guidance on self isolation and request a test.
  • Report to your Mash EM, Mash AH and cc in ops@mashstaffing.com on leaving the site.
  • The Mash EM/AH will complete an incident report form and notify all Mash staff present, the client, and the on-site management team that there has been a potential case of COVID-19.
  • On receipt of your test results, you should inform the AH immediately.
• If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 on site, the following procedure will be followed:
  • Notify Mash immediately of the incident on site.
  • AH, EM or TL will suspend the activity immediately.
  • Mash AH will liaise with clients to assess the risk.
  • A decision will be made as to whether the activity should be stopped and staff sent home.
  • All staff should follow the government guidance on self-isolation, if advised.
  • Liveforce profiles will be updated with this information, including relevant dates.

WELLNESS SUPPORT

• There are a number of wellbeing initiatives that you can access as a member of the Mash community through the online payroll portal Centralus, as follows:
  • Online GP with 24 hour access
  • Financial and legal advice
  • Exclusive discounts for a variety of different retailers
• We are also creating a body of specialist online content to support the mental wellbeing of our Mash community.
• If you have any worries or concerns, please get in touch with your Mash AH or contact Mash HR: ops@mashstaffing.com