COVID-19 : INDUSTRY GUIDANCE

I'll copy in here in case anybody can't download it. Copy/paste any links into your browser - I've not made them clickable.

COVID-19 Protective Measures: Automotive Aftermarket Sector

Industry Guidance and Best Practice

Introduction

During this unprecedented time, companies of all sizes will be challenged with how to safely operate
while minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission amongst employees or their wider community.
This industry guidance and best practice document has been developed with the Garage Equipment
Association (GEA), Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), the Institute of the Motor
Industry (IMI), the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers
and Traders Ltd (SMMT) for use by the automotive aftermarket sector. It has been compiled from a
wide range of best practice and guidance documents but is by no means an exhaustive list. It is
intended to complement official guidance and the work of other trade associations. It should be used
in accordance with the latest Government advice which may change over time.
This guidance may be used as part of a full risk assessment, which should be carried out for
each site. Such a risk assessment would normally be required to be carried out in cooperation
with staff or workforce representatives and in advance of (re)starting operations.
It is important to ensure all guidance is available to staff and customers in advance of any
opening and any visit, in addition to onsite direction, support and signage. Engaging with staff will
help overcome any anxiety but also help deliver improvements to the guidance.
This guidance is not a final draft; it should evolve as improvements and issues come to light and will
reflect feedback from staff and customers.
Contents
1. Disclaimer
2. Objectives of Guidance
3. Scope of Guidance - Key issues and areas to address
3.1. Guidance and Support
3.2. Communication and education of customers and colleagues
3.3. Social Distancing
3.4. Sanitisation and Hygiene
3.5. Personal Protective Equipment
3.6. Use of Digital and other Virtual and Additional Mechanisms
4. Contacts for Further Information
1. Disclaimer GEA / IAAF / IMI / SMTA / SMMT Industry Guidance and Best Practice – COVID-
19 Protective Measures: Automotive Aftermarket Sector
Whilst GEA, IAAF, IMI, SMTA and SMMT endeavour to ensure that the content of information in
its industry guidance is accurate and up-to-date at the date of publication, no representation or
warranty, express or implied, is made as to its accuracy or completeness and therefore the
information in the Industry Guidance should not be relied upon. It is each company’s responsibility
to comply with the current COVID-19 legislation and related Government guidance. Therefore,
GEA, IAAF, IMI SMTA and SMMT information and guidance are not legally binding. Readers
should always seek appropriate advice from a suitably qualified expert before taking, or refraining
from taking, any action. GEA, IAAF, IMI, SMTA and SMMT disclaim liability for any loss, howsoever
caused, arising directly or indirectly from reliance on the information in its industry guidance relating
to COVID-19 as published on their websites.

2. Objectives of Guidance
• Ensure a safe environment for employees and customers at all points of interaction in the
aftermarket.
• Provide reassurance to employees and customers that appropriate steps have been taken to
maintain a clean and safe environment.
• Demonstrate to Government and other stakeholders that the automotive aftermarket sector is
prepared for any easement/adaptation of existing coronavirus safety measures and is ready
to ramp-up operations.
• Secure Government and third party support for the approach.
3. Scope of Guidance
3.1. Guidance and Support
i. See the Government’s guidance - Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – for the
latest guidance on operating safely.
ii. Make staff aware of the Government guidance on sickness and symptoms – both at home and
in the workplace.
iii. As required by Government guidance undertake a full risk assessment to put in measures
and safeguards appropriate for operations to be carried out safely in consultation with unions
or workforce representatives.
iv. Determine who should return to work and when in light of ongoing and changing Government
guidance, as well as existing legal health and safety obligations to ensure necessary support
for any individuals with special circumstances, i.e. employees who classify as ‘high risk’. NB
Working from home if at all possible remains Government’s advice.
v. Clear messaging for all customers and colleagues, online and on arrival – communication is
essential.
vi. Protocols for customers – clearly setting out the experience they will have.
vii. Protocols for staff, including training in advance, as appropriate.
viii. Protocols for all suppliers and all deliveries.
ix. Clear policy and process to deal with staff or customers displaying symptoms on site.
x. Clear policies on shielding of vulnerable staff or, in the event, customers.
xi. Appropriate protocols for suppliers – inbound and outbound deliveries in accordance with
Government guidelines.
3.2. Communication and education of customers and colleagues
i. Print off and display the government’s online notice – Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020 - to
illustrate to employees and customers that you have followed the government’s guidance.
ii. Highlight the importance of clear communication to customers, employees and other visitors.
iii. Colleagues should be briefed ahead of any new procedures.
iv. Appropriate training provided to colleagues on reopening/re-joining or as guidance changes.
v. Communication given to customers ahead of interactions and what to expect.
vi. Signage and posters in place to remind customers to observe social distancing measures.
vii. Markers in place, as necessary, to direct customers and colleagues on where to go.
viii. Posters in appropriate areas providing guidance on use of sanitisers, hygiene etc.

3.3. Social Distancing
i. Provide clear guidance to customers and staff - signs, markers, posters – regarding the need
to maintain 2m social distancing, wherever possible, in line with Government guidelines.
ii. Introduce one-way systems for entrance and exits where possible.
iii. Consider staff transport issues especially if car sharing or using public transport.
iv. Implement process to manage “walk ins” to ensure social distancing.
v. Provide guidance on greetings – zero contact i.e. no handshakes, elbow bumping etc.
vi. Maintain distancing throughout operations (i.e. workshops, warehouse, storage, office
spaces, waiting areas, toilets etc.). Where this is not possible, consider what additional steps
are required.
vii. Careful management of customers and colleagues – request interactions involve smallest
groups possible (only two people, wherever possible).
viii. Workshop distancing – consider flexible hours, a drop box for vehicle keys, restrictions of
access, reduced ramp usage.
ix. Warehouse distancing – consider shift patterns, role reassignment, floor markings.
x. Office and other area – consider layout, avoid face to face configuration, no desk sharing,
avoid equipment sharing where possible.
xi. Mobile operations - location site assessment pre-arrival.
xii. Vehicles – minimise driver exchanges.
xiii. Toilets and other communal areas – clear guidance on social distancing measures, remove
newspapers, magazines, vending machines etc.
xiv. Cessation of other services where distancing cannot be maintained e.g. children’s play areas,
closure of small reception areas/removal of chair, unsuitable canteens/smoking areas, etc.
xv. Deliveries – drop parcels off in a designated place at the customers’ premises but ensure
social distancing measures are in place.
3.4. Sanitisation and Hygiene
i. Clear guidance for all employees, customers and colleagues on hygiene measures for
people, equipment and vehicles.
ii. Sanitisation of facilities, surfaces, etc. including, but not limited to: counters, controls, picking
equipment, payment devices, computers, door handles, tools, intercoms, etc.
iii. Ensure sanitising hand gel is available for desks, work stations, services, areas, waiting area,
toilets, vehicles, equipment, picking.
iv. Appropriate liquid soaps recommended and disposable towels instead of hand dryers.
v. No provision of refreshments.
vi. Regular cleaning / disinfecting of tools and equipment pre and post use.
vii. Minimise the sharing of above wherever possible.
viii. Regular cleaning / disinfecting of vehicle - clean the contact surfaces in the vehicle interior
after each inspection or use disposable protective sets for the seat, steering wheel, gear
lever, handbrake lever during the inspection.
ix. Ventilation of premises and vehicles – maximise ventilation of the premises, wherever
possible. Ventilate vehicles after each job and before any vehicle deliver / handover.

3.5. Use of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE)
i. Government guidance on the use of PPE states that:
Workplaces should not encourage the precautionary use of extra PPE to protect
against COVID-19 outside clinical settings or when responding to a suspected or
confirmed case of COVID-19.
Unless you are in a situation where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is very
high, your risk assessment should reflect the fact that the role of PPE in
providing additional protection is extremely limited. However, if your risk
assessment does show that PPE is required, then you must provide this PPE
free of charge to workers who need it. Any PPE provided must fit properly.
ii. Consider what, if any, appropriate PPE and materials to be made available to all colleagues
and/or customers as required.
iii. Customers and colleagues to be provided with, and advised of appropriate use, of equipment
and sanitisation products when undertaking a delivery or collection.
iv. Provision of appropriate PPE to staff if social distancing measures cannot be maintained.
v. Consider utilisation of clear glass/Perspex screens between colleagues if appropriate (NB if
social distancing measures cannot be maintained).
vi. Consider temperature checks for employees prior to the start of work.
vii. Disposable covers in workshops.
3.6. Digital and other additional mechanisms
i. Maximise online presence – clearly communicate the consumer experience being offered.
ii. Strongly advise coordinated appointment schedule and minimised deliveries, vehicle
movements/exchanges and interactions wherever possible.
iii. Removal of all physical material – e.g. flyers, magazines, newspapers, etc.
iv. Utilisation of live (e.g. pre-visit video calls) and recorded video technology for delivery, vehicle
movement/exchange and interaction instructions and expectations.
v. Collection and delivery service for workshops if appropriate.
vi. Electronic payments only (e.g. credit card, bank transfers).
vii. Digital transactions without signatures and paperwork wherever possible.
viii. Clear protocol for inbound and outbound goods (drivers in vehicles, limit interactions).
ix. Assess workforce rotas and shifts (pairing system if appropriate) to limit interaction.
x. Encourage online “virtual” meetings rather than face to face.
xi. Be mindful of the differing needs of your workforce and consider any measures that may
need to be put in place to support certain individuals to help prevent accidental
discrimination, i.e. reasonable and necessary adjustments for disabled workers.

4. UK Contacts for Further Information
• Public Health England (PHE): www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-healthengland
• Health & Safety Executive (HSE):
www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm?utm_source=hse.gov.uk&utm_medium=reffe
ral&utm_campaign=coronavirus&utm_content=home-page-banner
• SMMT: www.smmt.co.uk/industry-topics/covid-19-automotive-business-support/
• GEA: www.gea.co.uk/
• IAAF: www.iaaf.co.uk/
• IMI: www.theimi.org.uk/covid
• SMTA: www.smta.co.uk/
Links to Government Guidance on COVID-19 and Workplaces:
• Advice on working safely during Covid-19 www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safelyduring-
coronavirus-covid-19
• HSE Guidance - ‘How to carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment’
www.hse.gov.uk/risk/assessment.htm#
• Covid-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-aboutcovid-
19
• Coronavirus (Covid-19): guidance: www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronaviruscovid-
19-list-of-guidance
• COVID-19: cleaning in non-healthcare settings (If you are cleaning after a known or
suspected case of COVID-19 then refer to the specific guidance):
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcaresettings/
covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings
• People who are shielding: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-athigher-
risk-from-coronavirus/if-youre-at-very-high-risk-from-coronavirus/
• Respiratory hygiene: www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novelcoronavirus-
infection-prevention-andcontrol">
www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infectionprevention-
and-control
• Vulnerable people: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higherrisk-
from-coronavirus/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/