Masks are mandatory in all federal states as a measure to contain COVID-19. Masks are a new accessory on public transport, in shops and at services wherever people come together.
Masks are part of good manners. This is because, according to current knowledge, wearing face masks can help to further contain the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - even if there are no signs of illness. Masks have long been worn in supermarkets and at service counters, and wearing them has also become mandatory for customers.
At Jürgen Kurth, master carpenter and company founder ofJürgen Kurth & Söhne and his colleagues, the use of face masks has long been a matter of course. The carpentry business in Pulheim near Cologne specialises in customised wooden furniture, interior fittings, floors and terraces made of wood. Another mainstay is the supply and installation of windows, front doors, flat entrance doors and room doors.
An integral part of dealing with customers during appointments
When making an appointment over the phone - for example for the delivery of a piece of furniture or a longer-term project in the private sector - Jürgen Kurth raises the topic of "distancing rules and masks" with his customers. In this way, personal preferences are clarified early on in the conversation and the joinery's high safety and hygiene standards are communicated: "It's not a big change for us, because we're used to wearing a face mask anyway due to sanding and painting work. As a result, we are also familiar with the relevant protection classes. We wear the FFP2 masks that we also use in our workshop," explains Jürgen Kurth. "It's important that customers know what to expect and that they are confronted with a troop of mask-wearing aliens when installing the wooden decking in the garden," he adds with a wink.
Customers feel well advised
The individual clarification of the process of a personal meeting or installation is an integral part of customer service for the joinery. "The process is clarified in detail in advance and our customers know that we take the corona rules seriously and ensure safety. As we maintain an open and trusting relationship, customers are often not even present at installation appointments. They open up to our team and then say goodbye for the agreed period. This makes the appointments even easier for us and more relaxed for the customer. When they return, everything is ready and clean and we just say goodbye - contactless, of course."
By dealing openly with the topic of "mask and corona rules", all processes are clearly regulated on the customer and service provider side even before personal appointments. Jürgen Kurth & Söhne has not yet experienced any losses or slumps in business: "Quite the opposite!" says Jürgen Kurth. By working from home and adapting their working hours, many customers are more at home and want to finally tackle upcoming projects in their personal environment. Behind this is often the desire to make their own home, where they currently spend more time, cosy and comfortable. "This means we have more rather than less to do."
Guilds and trade associations provide information
Information is also provided here that it is once again possible for craft businesses to receive customers in their sales and showrooms.The personal behaviour obligations and the distancing and protection requirements for public spaces and a basic minimum distance of 1.5 m, which must be maintained, apply there. Wearing a face covering is also mandatory in these rooms when in contact with customers.
Check risk assessment and update if necessary
The guild's website also contains information on occupational health and safety, the obligations for employers and a current recommendation to review the existing risk assessment and update it if necessary. A corresponding template for fulfilling this formal obligation is available for members to download.
As the pandemic is likely to continue for some time, it is to be expected that more and more clients, such as the public sector, commercial customers or health and safety coordinators (SiGeKo) on larger construction sites will require the submission of such a risk assessment. It cannot be ruled out that supervisory authorities or employers' liability insurance associations - even if only in individual cases - will check the existence of such an assessment. Irrespective of this, it is recommended that the risk assessment is carried out in the company's own interest. On the one hand, to minimise risks for all employees and, on the other hand, to be able to prove that the employer has fulfilled its obligations in the event of an employee contracting Covid-19.
Differences at state level
The NRW portal also contains operating instructions on the topic of "Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2" - for in-house activities and for external activities on assembly and construction sites. The NRW templates and samples take into account the "SARS-CoV-2 occupational health and safety standard" of the Federal Ministry of Labour and the current guidelines of the employers' liability insurance associations.
Sources
Please note:
The regulations differ from state to state and it is advisable to look at those of the respective federal state. For the whole of Germany, theFederal Centre for Health Education (BZgA). Hygiene tips for businesses and further information on the use of face masks.