How At-Home Service Provider Companies Can Protect Their Employees And Customers From Health Risks
At-home service providers face unique challenges in safely conducting work given the ongoing risks of transmitting COVID-19 and other illnesses when completing services in or immediately around a customer’s home.
Employers of at-home service providers, including electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, landscape workers, household cleaners, painters, pest control specialists, appliance repair technicians, and telecommunications technicians, all face common questions, including:
How do we protect our workers from COVID-19 and similar illnesses while performing services in a client’s home?
How do we assure our customers that we are doing all we can to prevent the spread of illness?
What do we do if a customer asks a staff member to enter the home of a customer who has tested positive for COVID-19 or a similar virus?
Protecting Against Ongoing Health Risks When Performing At-Home Services
Our Healthier Workplaces guidance documents offer practical advice on how employers can protect their at-home service providers and improve workplace safety. The guidance borrows from the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advice and expert counsel from other leading health, government, and at-home service industry organizations.
In the below “Resources By Type” under “Support Documents,” you will find our Healthier Workplaces: Guidance for At-Home Services, 2nd edition guidance document, and other outlets and industry organizations to learn:
Personal hygiene best practices and the importance of washing hands or using hand sanitizer regularly while performing at-home services
Payment system considerations to discourage direct contact or the use of cash or checks
Considerations for personal protective equipment for at-home service providers, including the use of disposable barriers where appropriate
Best practices for handling communication with employees and customers to ensure they are aware of the job specifics and any special considerations or needs to protect their wellbeing
Strategies for reducing the use of a customer’s bathroom and kitchen
Self-monitoring practices and how to know if you should reschedule a house cleaner, electrician, plumber, or other at-home service
Additional Safety Resources For At-Home Service Provider Employers
To access more help and resources to understand and avoid the ongoing health risks of performing at-home services, we recommend you explore the following resources and networks.
Resources by Type