Here at DPS Group we are committed to health, safety, as well as doing all we can to maintain a high level of service
Like most companies, we have had to make difficult decisions to ensure the safety of our staff and to comply with the instructions that we have been given by government to help fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
DPS Group HSEQ manager Victoria Coates is at the forefront of our health and safety working practices.
She took time out from her schedule to give an insight into life at DPS Group during the pandemic.
“I think we had to stop in our tracks and scan the situation,” Victoria explained, looking back at the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The overnight change back in March was a massive change for everybody. We had to adapt quickly as a business, but also as individuals and teams.
“We are now at a point where some people have not been in the office for six months or more. It takes its toll. We have set-up an incident management response team that reviews the situation regularly.
“The team looks at the working environment on each specific project we have ongoing. We also look at each employees’ circumstances at home. It is about us continually assessing the situation and determining what pieces of work are essential services, critical to the function of a client’s business or the national infrastructure.
“These decisions are still ongoing on a day-to-day basis. It has shown the incredible resilience, adaptability, and attention to detail that DPS Group take when delivering on a project.
Victoria also explained just how important it has been to provide support for staff, to help them look after their mental health and wellbeing.
“From a person to person aspect, it was a massive shift in working set-up,” she said.
“We went from a site or office environment to working from home or being on solo jobs overnight. Communications were vital with us setting up digital channels via teams, intranet, phone calls and internal documentation.
“We had to up-skill members of staff that had no experience with certain platforms. These were key routes of support for our essential services, but also it was respite and small group coffee breaks for everyone working from home for face-to-face interaction.”
The road ahead is ever-changing with COVID-19. Despite the difficulties that everyone has faced Victoria believes that it has shown the best of DPS Group, She said: “My colleagues have adapted, taken on board new ways of working, and every time I communicate an update they’re engaging.
“There is no doubt that this is challenging times for not only DPS Group, but Scotland as a nation. I’m proud of the resilience we’ve shown, and I feel confident we have the skill-sets and mentality within DPS Group to continue to deliver critical projects and essential services for our clients and the country.”
Please find out more about our health and safety measure in our risk assessment here.