Keeping safe during Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19)

2nd June 2020

We have assessed the risk of COVID-19 at Gorilla through application of government guidance, and by contributing to and following the UK Screen “Safe Working in Post-Production and VFX” guidance across our business, to manage safety and health risks.

We have continued to work remotely throughout lockdown and not rushed into re-mobilisation of those remote staff. We have taken time to reflect and prepare for a staged return to our new normal. We expect our approach to evolve as we learn and adapt to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

How we are keeping people safe

We are focusing on the following areas to ensure we manage the spread of infection from COVID-19, carrying out specific assessments for productions and our offices and engaging with workforce throughout the process:

In our offices:

Minimising – minimising numbers of people in the office at any time.
Communicating – ensuring those who have symptoms or are ill know not to come into work.
Commuting – considering risks in commuting especially on public transport, introducing mitigations such as staggered start times.
Social Distancing – making every effort to ensure social distancing is adhered to from space planning to protocols and signage.
Cleaning – increasing cleaning protocols.
Face covering – providing washable face coverings to those who may require them on a commute and/or for wearing in circulation spaces of the office where social distancing may be accidently breached at times.
Monitoring – regularly reminding people of the new COVID-19 working practices (such as social distancing).

In our activities:

Travel – seeking to minimise travel requirements and follow social distancing principles within travel arrangements, wherever possible.
Location – considering the physical capacity of space used, given the requirements of social distancing, as well as ensuring the provision of adequate hygiene facilities.
Work Activities – considering the activities that people are going to need to undertake across roles and if these can be adapted or changed to reduce risk.
Work Equipment – managing the sharing of work equipment from cameras and headsets to edit suites. Focusing on good hygiene and managing potential issues with touchpoints.
Work Patterns – reviewing work patterns to encourage small groups (cohorts) of people who don’t come into contact with other groups.
Rest Areas – reconfiguring rest areas and planning breaks to ensure rest areas are as safe as possible.
First Aid and Emergency services – planning activities to reduce the risk of requiring emergency

services to be called as well as advice to first aiders on COVID-19 risk.

Masks, Gloves and Other Personal Protective Equipment – supporting government guidance by not encouraging usage other than in very limited circumstances, and for those travelling on public transport.
Mental Health – reviewing the potential mental health impact for those working on productions and considering support on a case by case basis.

We are passionate about everyone having a voice which is listened to, so if you are concerned about anything relating to our duty of care and, more specifically, the risks associated with Coronavirus (COVID-19) to you or others, please let us know at hr@gorilla-group-tv.onyx-sites.io