Covid-19

Covid-19 Health and Safety Statement

Quench Me have proudly continued services to the NHS and key workers throughout the COVID-19 crisis and we are now ready to help you get back to work safely.


We have a comprehensive plan in place to get you back up and running after this period of shutdown. Please complete the below form to reinstate your services. Due to high demand you must allow at least 5 working days from the submission of this form for your visit.

Please read this information in full before submitting our online ‘Site Reopen Form’


This guidance needs to be adhered to for safe back to work practice of your employees and machine end users. 

Following the COVID19 pandemic some machines may not have been used for a considerable length of time. The below guidance covers: 


  • Guidelines for bacterial risks inside all hot drink, cold water and plumbed in machines along with actions required 
  • Guidelines for the required Operator/Engineer visit for safe reopen of all plumbed in machines to be arranged by Quench Me UK on submission of ‘site reopen’ online form
  • Guidelines regarding safe drinking water supply within your building(s)
  • Guidelines in relation to beans, powdered products, snack/cold drinks, and food wastage

Plumbed in Coffee and Water Machines

Water from the boiler left in the machine for multiple weeks, may contain the Legionella bacteria if cleaning protocols are not followed before the machine is reinstated. Water that has been static within the mains water pipes throughout a shut-down building, may have warmed and stagnated and be adversely affected by bacterium, organisms, or biofilms. Some organisations may have managed to maintain some basic maintenance during the closure period, including keeping water systems safe and healthy (in line with the Health & Safety Executive’s L8 rules for Legionella control). However, as an extra safety precaution, Quench Me UK will be replacing relevant hygiene parts, sanitising, and testing all plumbed in machines in order to eliminate health and safety risks and ensure a high-quality experience for all our customers and end users. In addition to this any machines that dispense cold water will also require a filter replacement. This service will be carried out and charged at the current rate unless customers choose to ‘opt out’ via the Site Reopening Form. 

Important Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that water intended for human consumption, is provided for all plumbed in machines, and is a clean drinking supply. Please be advised that you may need to seek guidance from your facilities company or water supplier for specialist advice if you require maintenance on your water systems. It is essential that the water supply to each machine remains potable. 

For Quench Me UK Operated Customers: Engineer and merchandising visits will be coordinated once the online ‘Site Reopening Form’ is submitted. You are not required to do anything but must leave all machines switched off until we have attended. This service will be carried out and charged at the current rate unless customers choose to ‘opt out’ via the Site Reopening Form. 
  • It is important you do not use your machine/s after a period of closure until you have received the above visit from your merchandiser/engineer.
For Self-Operated Customers: (DIY locations who fill and clean their own machine/s) Engineer visits will be coordinated once the online ‘Site Reopening Form’ is submitted. This service will be carried out and charged at the current rate unless customers choose to ‘opt out’ via the Site Reopening Form. It is your responsibility to prepare for your Engineer visit in the following way and failure to do so will be subject to additional charges on a time on site basis: - 
Self-Operated Customer check list:
  1. Remove any remaining product from the machine/s 
  2. Perform a thorough clean and make sure that all containers are emptied 
  3. Switch the machine off and attach a clear safety notice stating, ‘machine out of service’.  
  4. One unopened in date bag of each canister’s product must be left at the machine in a clean sealed bag. If this is not available on arrival the engineer will use his own stock which comply with these guidelines and will be charged at our wholesale prices.
  • On completion of above check list our Engineer will attend your site to complete the necessary works.
  • It is important you do not use your machine/s after a period of closure until you have received the above visit from our engineer. 

Powdered products, beans, snack/cold drinks and food wastage

  • For Quench Me UK operated customers we will ensure that we carry out the below tasks in relation to the product/s inside your machine/s. 
  • For Self-Operated Customers you must ensure that the below has taken place. 

Whole beans, ground beans and instant coffee:
Machine inactivity will affect the product quality of ingredients in your machines. Depending on the conditions in and around the machine, the taste of the coffee may have deteriorated after exposure to sunlight and oxygen and it is therefore recommended to: 
  • Empty all cannisters and deep clean (sanitisation kit available from Quench Me UK)
  • Deep clean of mixing bowls and tubes (or replacement hygiene kit available from Quench Me UK)
  • After Quench Me UK Engineer visit - restock all canisters with fresh ingredients.

Tea, Chocolate and Milk Powder 
Dry products attract moisture and machine inactivity can cause the product to clog. After two weeks or more of inactivity, risk of bacterial infection and fermenting mould can result in microbiological health & safety risks. Ingredients that are sitting unused in machine hoppers and canisters are likely to be stale and significantly degraded due to a long period of exposure to air, sunlight and humidity. Protein containing ingredients, such as milk, topping, or hot chocolate may also have been subject to time and conditions which increase the growth of bacteria. It is therefore essential to:
  • Empty all cannisters and deep clean (sanitisation kit available from Quench Me UK)
  • Deep clean or replace mixing bowls and tubes (hygiene/replacement kit available from Quench Me UK)
  • After Quench Me UK Engineer visit restock all canisters with fresh ingredients

Snack/Cold Drink Products:
Although most vending machines have refrigeration, if sat idle for many weeks, it is highly likely that many products will be out of date and not recommended for human consumption. It is essential to:
  • Remove all out of date items within Vending machines
  • Clean all spirals thoroughly 

Food:
Any foodstuff, or product remaining in a food machine, or display fridge that has passed its ‘Use By’ date must be discarded. Other products that may have passed their best before dates are very unlikely to be harmful, although they may not be of best quality and should be removed from sale and discarded. Consult your food safety advisor in the event of any doubt.
  • Remove all out of date items within Vending machines
  • Clean all spirals thoroughly 

How to contact us

If you have any general questions about our coronavirus health and safety procedures, you can contact us at info@quench.me.uk.


Last Modified June 2020

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