Plumber won't wear mask.

[minipilling]

Getting bathroom work started tomorrow, a big refit. The plumber just told us he's 'not a big believer' in Covid and none of his team will be wearing a mask because it's not possible to do his job properly wearing one. We will have windows open and distance etc but I'm a bit pissed off. It's not necessarily the mask, that's ultimately his choice, but I didn't expect him to come out and say he was skeptical that it's a real risk. I was worried enough already. We said we'd go ahead but am I being stupid? I was trying to be safe as possible with everything.

[caringcarer]

No mask no entry. I would wait and get a different plumber. This one sounds like he takes risks. That would not be acceptable to me. No matter how inconvenient I would turn him away. I agree with previous poster only when it hits his pocket will he obey the rules. Would he even wear a mask to enter your home and anywhere outside of bathroom? I had a plumber during last lockdown as we needed new cistern and we worked perfectly well in a mask and washed his hands on entering and upon leaving my home and i kept in another room until he showed me it worked at end.

[BeneathTheMilkyTwilight]

Does his first name begin with Z?

[Lucindainthesky]

I would find somebody else even if that meant a delay.

Somebody like this has an above average chance of being infected (they won't be observing social distancing or restricting contact with others in general) and their attitude towards covid may well be reflected in their attitude towards work.

[minipilling]

All other plumbers can't fit us in til next summer. I'm really upset. I don't know if he'd wear one at all.

[Cocklepops]

Surely as it’s your house, it’s your rules? If he wants your custom he should be prepared to overcome him scepticism...

[minipilling]

Just called him. He said he will wear a mask when talking to us etc, just not for the actual ripping out. He also said his wife understands if we want to delay and they haven't been letting anyone into their house as she is NHS and they have a family member at risk. DH thinks he worded it clumsily earlier and he meant more that the risk in this case is limited.

[Lougle]

www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes the guidance doesn't say they must be worn, tbh.

[Viviennemary]

I can't see a problem if they are working in the bathroom and you don't come into contact with them. Why would they need a mask when they're in a different room.

[ZeroFuchsGiven]

Will You and all Your family members be wearing masks?

[Georgeoftheinternet]

@ZeroFuchsGiven ohhhhhh

[BlackPetunia]

Yes good point!

Will you all be wearing masks

[minipilling]

Yes, we will be wearing masks.

[minipilling]

They will be moving between bathroom, spare room (where we are keeping the supplies), stairs/hallway and living room (to get to the front door/skip). They will also have to go through the kitchen to access the cellar and they mentioned bleeding all the radiators in each room but it's possible DH can do those.

[nicerbeing]

He also said his wife understands if we want to delay

Can I ask what on earth it has to do with his wife?

and they haven't been letting anyone into their house as she is NHS and they have a family member at risk.

So she is high risk of passing it on through him?

[BogRollBOGOF]

@minipilling

We will be in a separate room all day, they are bringing their own refreshments. Windows would be open.

That will achieve much more than a mask. Especially a lower quality, breathable, pre-used, incorrectly worn mask.
You have no idea how useful the mask is.

The more dilution of freshly circulated air, the better.

[Kazzyhoward]

The plumber wouldn't be crossing my threshold.

We had a stroppy plumber a few years ago who was supposed to be replacing our boiler and fitting some new radiators. The firm's owner promised he'd "respect" our home by putting down that sticky plastic sheeting or wearing plastic shoe covers. On his arrival, he refused to do either, same sort of attitude, the big "I am" know it all. He didn't get inside the front door. Firm sent a different plumber the next day who did what had been asked!

In covid times, if they won't even wear a mask, I'd not trust them to wash their hands after using the loo either. There's no way I'm allowing any workers into my house without precautions in place. We've had a carpet fitted, radiator replaced, gas fire repaired, boiler serviced, etc., and all the tradespersons we had were happy to respect our wishes and follow the precautions etc inc face masks, plastic gloves, not using our loo, etc etc.

Just get someone less stroppy!

[Kazzyhoward]

@ZeroFuchsGiven

Will You and all Your family members be wearing masks?

For us, yes, we always do that if we have workers in the house, we also stay well away from them, i.e. different rooms where possible and maintain the 2 metres if we need to talk to them or look at things with them.