As NZ nears downgrading from Level 4 to level 3 restrictions, D&D Signs of Whangarei leads the way by example with a bulletin that is so near-perfect, we will reproduce it here in whole. We can all learn from the way D&D is operating.
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| In true laconic Kiwi style, D&D just take it all in their stride. Well done guys. |
"Welcome to Level 3. We might not be there yet, but judging by the number of enquiries we have been receiving, a lot of organisations are getting ready for next week’s changes in restrictions. Here at D&D Signs we have been running on a skeleton crew (Jared) through Level 4 to help with our essential customers’ needs, but that will be ramping up as we move to Level 3. We have implemented procedures to ensure hygiene and social distancing guidelines can be easily maintained, to ensure the health and safety of our staff and customers. Further details of this can be found below for those who are interested.
Now is the time for all businesses who can open under Level 3 to be thinking about how to achieve this safely and practically. Signage is the area we specialise in regarding this, but we have been following this situation closely and have a good handle on what processes are required in general, so please feel free to contact us to discuss any of the level 3 restrictions and how they might affect your organisation. Also the Govt website, Worksafe and MBIE all have plenty of information on what is required.
In regards to signage there are 2 main areas under Level 3 that need to be focussed on. Restricting contact and strong hygiene practices. Above are some examples of ways to achieve these goals and further options include:
FOOTPATH SIGNS: Self standing to sit outside premises to: advise of new procedures, restrict access, provide hygiene solutions
FLOOR GRAPHICS: Applied directly to the floor to: Restrict access, restrict/direct/inform customers & staff
POSTERS/SELF ADHESIVE DECALS: Business specific or standardised government messages in all sizes to: advise of new procedures, direct customers, restrict access, advise of hygiene requirements
SELF STANDING SIGNS: Counter top signs or pull up banners to: convey messages of hygiene, restrict access, advise new procedures
All our signage is custom made, so please contact us to discuss the individual requirements of your organisation.
As mentioned above, under Level 3 D&D Signs are implementing strict hygiene and social distancing procedures to ensure our staff and customers’ health and safety remain paramount. Firstly this means in our shop we will be working from behind closed doors at all times to restrict access from the general public. For pick-ups we have a contactless system, which will include a dedicated collection area outside. For enquiries we ask everything to be via phone or email only and will be directing anyone who arrives to our shop to use this method also. This means it will only be our staff who enter our premises. All of this will be communicated to customers/staff with signage displayed externally on our building.
In regards to the staff, we will be running on limited numbers, mainly to restrict contact, but also based on the amount of work we have on. Depending on requirements split days and/or split shifts will be used to keep numbers to a minimum. Using Floor Graphics and Barriers we have split our shop into distinct “Working Areas” and “Common Areas”. Each staff member will have their own personal work area, where they can maintain 2 metres distance from other staff and can touch anything without worrying that others may have touched it. In all common areas (entrance, bathroom, kitchen) staff will wipe down all areas they touch immediately after finishing in this area. All materials and tools will also be wiped down immediately after they are used. Signage will be in place at the entrance and within our shop to reinforce these procedures, as well as general requirements for hygiene and dealing with Covid related symptoms.
There will be times when we need to install Level 3 signage outdoors. We have added an additional layer of planning to our Job Site Analysis to ensure hygiene and distancing standards are met. Firstly this will include an assessment of whether the job can be completely while maintaining the requirements of Level 3 restrictions and will formalise the additional steps that need to be taken to ensure this happens. As per standard installs, barriers and cones will be used to create a safe workspace, with additional Covid related safety signage in place to advise correct procedures. We will also have a contact register to keep track of anyone our staff has any dealings with. Additional PPE of masks and gloves will also be available if contact with the general public or other staff members is still a risk even after all practicable other steps have been met.
Working under Level 3 is going to be something new to all of us, and it is going to take a bit of trial and error to get right. If you have any ideas how we could do better with our business then we would love to hear from you and if you would like any advice or want to discuss getting your business up and running, please let us know. Also please feel free to forward this to your business contacts who may need help with signage or any of the other Level 3 requirements."
Stay safe everyone,
Cam, Jared, Matt & the D&D team
D&D Signs
Ph: (+64) 09 438 8051 / 0220 145505
What more could we say? Way to go Cam, Jared, Matt & team.
As New Zealander Ed Hillary is quoted as saying to the first human he and SherpaTenzing met on the way down from Everest in 1953:
"Well, George (Lowe), we knocked the bastard off!"
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| Let's knock the Covid 'bastard' off too! (copyright acknowledged- Smithsonian) |
