Since the coronavirus outbreak in March, the safety of our staff and customers has been our priority, along with providing an uninterrupted service for many of our customers, who are key industries and rely on us.
Now, after welcoming schools back and with the news shops and pubs can re-open in the next few weeks, we want to re-assure you of our commitment to safety, not just for our team but for you, your business and your team.
If you want to re-start your service, or if you’re a new customer, we offer a contactless service either over the phone or online. This includes if you want to speak to us about a new contract, get a free waste audit, or pay your bill. Our office is now back to working as normal, but with some staff working from home, so if you need any help, we’re here to speak to you.
With lockdown now easing, we are continuing to monitor the situation on a daily basis to ensure we safeguard our workforce:
Some of the measures we have in place to protect our workforce include:
Making sure we have the highest possible levels of cleanliness across our fleet and offices.
Social distancing measures are in place in our offices along with hand sanitiser being in place for all staff.
A number of our staff have been working from home where possible.
Our drivers have been working solo to make sure social distancing is adhered to.
Our drivers have access to PPE including gloves, safety footwear and Hi-vis wear.
Hand sanitiser is in all cabs, and our trucks are all equipped with hand basins and soap so our drivers can wash their hands frequently.
Our drivers remain with the same vehicles where possible and each cab has a thorough clean at the end of each shift.
Visits to our head office and other depots have been suspended since the beginning of the pandemic and will remain suspended until it is 100% safe for them to resume.
Some of the steps we have taken to ensure customer safety:
Paperwork is no longer required to be signed when our crews are collecting waste, this can be done via email of we can sign on your behalf.
We have asked all our customers to ensure our containers are easily accessible so our teams don’t have to enter buildings. Our drivers will also not get out of their cab if people are on site and social distancing is not possible.
We also recommend our customers wear gloves when they’re moving bins.
As the pandemic affected a number of sectors we’ve allowed some of our customers to temporarily suspend their services and have also communicated regularly with them about the changes.
As many businesses prepare to re-open we’re also offering a site clearance service to minimise Health and Safety risks.
How customers can help:
Wherever possible waste should be placed outside with the containers easily accessible to make sure there is no close human interaction.
Please inform us if you’ve been showing symptoms of Covid-19, have been exposed to it or are isolating so we can adjust collections accordingly.
Waste from sites with possible cases of Covid-19 should be double bagged, using a strong rubbish bag. These bags should be tied and stored for at least 72 hours before being put into the container.
If you’ve booked a site clearance which may need two people please get in touch as currently our drivers are working solo.
We know this has been an extremely challenging time, with a lot of uncertainty but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. We’d like to say a BIG thank you to ALL the key workers, our team who’ve yet again been going above and beyond, and our fantastic customers for all their support.
Some of the support really has been overwhelming, from people waving at our trucks and sending us photos of our trucks and containers, to customers sending us thank you messages on social media and also clapping for our drivers. For all this support we are truly thankful. We’ve had photos of our trucks sent to us from as far afield and Shropshire and Anglesey, and it really has given our team a huge boost.
As a family run local independent business, this has impacted Gaskells too, but we were here before Covid 19, we’ve been here throughout Covid 19, providing an uninterrupted service for our customers and we’ll be here after Covid-19. We’re all in this together and we ARE now getting through it.
For a FREE waste audit and to find out how Gaskells Waste can come up with the best waste solution for your business, get in touch either via phone or the contact buttons on the website.
We offer a simple, cost effective and sustainable waste management service, fully tailored to suit your business.