Doing Business Amid the Pandemic
NEFI addresses the challenge of operating safely in hazardous times .
The National Energy & Fuels Institute offers free Covid-19 video resources at https :// nefi . com / education / covid-videos /. Visitors who complete a form at that web page can view the videos .
NEFI also offers a wide array of resources to help its fuel dealer members manage their businesses during the pandemic . For more information about NEFI and its activities , visit www . nefi . com . Below is a sampling of tips that NEFI offers its members .
Recommended Practices for Company- Customer Interactions
• Whenever possible rely on phone , text , email , teleconferencing , or other electronic methods to communicate with customers , instead of in-person conversations .
• Wear face masks and gloves on all service calls . Follow established glove and mask protocols , including proper cleaning or disposal .
• Employees should wash or sanitize their hands before arrival at a job site and immediately upon departure .
• Fuel deliveries made to customers ’ homes present low risk factors . However , if possible , send delivery and service invoices by mail or switch to electronic invoicing instead of leaving invoices at the door . Utilize online delivery or service requests and customer payments to avoid unnecessary customer interactions .
• Reassure customers by notifying them of the precautions you are taking to keep their families safe and healthy .
• In general , avoid all direct contact with customers and maintain a distance of at least six feet at all times .
• On service calls , if the customer has separate access to their heating or air conditioning system , request in advance that they make the area available to you directly , e . g ., opening bulkheads , cellar doors , etc .
• If the unit is a hot air or air conditioning system , try to avoid opening parts of the system through which air flows , including filters . Rather than installing filters , leave them behind for the customer to install .
• Before entering a customer ’ s home , ask if anyone in the household is experiencing
symptoms , including fever , coughing , shortness of breath , chills or loss of taste or smell .
• Request that any individuals under voluntary or required self-quarantine or isolation or who are experiencing signs and / or symptoms of COVID-19 remain physically separated from the worker ( e . g ., request that the sick person go into a different room , level of the home , or outside if weather permits ), and communicate remotely with the worker ( e . g ., by cell phone ). Also ask individuals in the home to cover coughs and sneezes . If anyone refuses to comply , leave the home and contact your employer for further instructions .
• Utilize closed doors and walls as physical barriers to separate workers from any individuals under voluntary or required self-quarantine or isolation or who are experiencing signs and / or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 . l FON
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