Covid Risk Assessment
Repoening of Sensi HQ and Return to Face to Face Appointment Risk Assessment – Post Covid-19
Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called Coronavirus.
Symptoms can be mild, moderate, severe or fatal.
This is a Risk Assessment to specifically address the current Covid-19 situation in the workplace and relates solely to SenSI Treatment, Richmond Lodge, The Common, Norwich Road, Mulbarton. Norfolk NR14 8JW
From 1st August 2020 the Government’s advice for England is changing: ‘Instead of government telling people to work from home, we are going to give employers more discretion, and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely.’ This could still mean continuing to work from home, or it could mean making workplaces safe by following COVID-secure guidelines.
In order to assess the risk of reopening SenSI HQ and addressing whether face to face appointments can recommence a number of questions have been asked.
This risk assessment has been amended on 1st January 2021 in light of the discovery of a rapid transmission strain of COVID-19 and increase in Government intervention to prevent the spread of the disease – additions can be viewed in the highlighted fields.
According to Government advice these questions are:
- Identification of what could cause injury or illness in the organisation (Hazards)
- How likely is it that someone could be harmed (Risk)
- How serious could the harm be?
- Can we eliminate the Hazard?
- Can we control the Risk?
In addition to these questions specified by Government, and to allow for the culture of SenSI’s good business practice, we will address 3 further questions:
These are:
- Is it essential?
- Is it sufficiently safe?
- Is it mutually agreed across the organisation?
THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT TO BE USED IN ISOLATION. SENSI POLICIES AND GUIDELINES ON HEALTH AND SAFETY, EMPLOYMENT LAW, AND INFECTION CONTROL ARE TO BE USED IN TANDUM TO ENSURE CLARITY AND TRANSPARENC FOR ALL ACCESSING THE SENSI BUILDING AND BEING A PART OF SENSI’S SERVICES.
- Staff
- Visitors
- Cleaners
- Contractors
Hand Washing
- Hand washing facilities with soap and water in place.
- Stringent hand washing taking place.
- See hand washing guidance. Click for link
- Drying of hands with disposable paper towels. Click for link
- Staff encouraged to protect the skin by applying emollient cream regularly. Click for link
- Gel sanitiser will be available to use as an extra layer of protection for no soiled hands but its use does not replace handwashing with soap and warm water.
Additional Controls
- Employees to be reminded on a regular basis to wash their hands for 20 seconds with water and soap and the importance of proper drying with disposable towels. Also reminded to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues – Follow Catch it, Bin it, Kill it and to avoid touching face, eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. Tissues will be made available throughout the workplace.
- Staff are required to report any problems and carry out skin checks as part of a skin surveillance programme
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/professional/health-surveillance.htm - To help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) all staff are required to be aware of the public health advice – Click for link
- Posters, leaflets and other materials are available for display. Click for link
- Bespoke posters have been used by The Therapy Source and by production of clear visual instructions for visitors requiring prompts to effectively clean their hands.
- Rigorous checks will be carried out to ensure that the necessary procedures are being followed.
- Regular swabs will be taken of high traffic areas to monitor cleaning efficacy to allow an audit of the sanitisation processes being followed and products being used.
Cleaning
- Frequently cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are touched regularly particularly in areas of high use such as door handles, light switches, phones, waiting area and offices using appropriate cleaning products and methods.
Social Distancing
- Reducing the number of persons in any work area to comply with the 2-metre (6.5 foot) gap recommended by the Public Health Agency Public Health Link
- Taking steps to review work schedules including start & finish times/shift patterns, working from home etc. to reduce number of workers on site at any one time. Also relocating workers to other tasks.
- Redesigning processes to ensure social distancing remains in place and that the building is access and exited using the one way system.
- Conference calls or virtual sessions are to be used instead of face to face meetings where appropriate and on completion of individual risk assessments to determine suitability for attendance to SenSI HQ.
- Ensuring sufficient rest breaks for staff.
Additional Controls
- Staff to be reminded on a daily basis of the importance of social distancing both in the workplace and outside of it.
- Management checks to ensure this is adhered to in supervision session and random checks.
Wearing of Gloves
- WHERE PHYSICAL CONTACT IS LIKELY WITH A CLIENT STAFF ARE TO WEAR SURGICAL GRADE GLOVES FOR THE ENTIRE TREATMENT APPOINTMENT
- Where Risk Assessment identifies wearing of gloves as a requirement of the job, an adequate supply of these will be provided. Staff will be instructed on how to remove gloves carefully to reduce contamination and how to dispose of them safely.
Additional Controls
- Staff to be reminded that wearing of gloves is not a substitute for good hand washing
PPE
- Public Health guidance on the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) to protect against COVID-19 relates to health care settings. In all other settings individuals are asked to observe social distancing measures and practice good hand hygiene behaviours
- There are a number of variables for staff and visitors to SenSI. Both Staff and visitors will be expected to adhere to government guidelines, and the use of PPE in sensitive situations is each individual/professional prerogative. If the possibility of breaching social distance guidelines is likely either parents/carers are expected to intervene, or sessions may be required to continue virtually until the risk can be further reduced.
- Where PPE is a requirement for risks associated with the work undertaken the following measures will be followed-
- Gloves, aprons and masks are to be worn
- Masks and visors will be available to staff and visitors.
Additional Controls
- Internal communication channels and cascading of messages through line managers will be carried out regularly to reassure and support employees in a fast changing situation.
- Line managers and/or occupational health staff will offer supports to staff that are affected by Coronavirus or has a family member affected.
- Communicate with companies we deliver to/from to ensure distancing measures are adhered to when receiving or transferring packages, supplies or equipment
- Regular communication of mental health information and open door policy for those who need additional support.
Symptoms of Covid-19
- If anyone becomes unwell with a new continuous cough or a high temperature in the workplace they will be sent home and advised to follow the stay at home guidance.
- Line managers will maintain regular contact with staff members during this time.
- If advised that a member of staff or public has developed Covid-19 and were recently on our premises (including where a member of staff has visited other work place premises such as domestic premises), the management team of the workplace will contact the Public Health Authority to discuss the case, identify people who have been in contact with them and will take advice on any actions or precautions that should be taken. Click for Link
- Staff with symptoms are expected to present for testing and advise management of the result.
Mental Health
- Management will promote mental health & wellbeing awareness to staff and will offer whatever support they can to help
References – Click for Mind Link | Click for Hensi Link
Too many people in the building
Too many people in the building
High risk of infection transmission
Serious – COVID-19 can cause death
Yes by limiting the amount of people in the building at any given time
Homeworking where operationally possible.
Yes by limiting the amount of people in the building at any given time and ensuring all entering are asymptomatic with a clear 14 day history of exposure and/or travel from high risk area.
Supporting continuation of home working
Statistics created from an ergonomic study on caseload indicate that at any given time due to professional workforce availability SenSI will only be able to work at 70% capacity.
People in the building = essential to facilitate F2F sessions
Inability to socially distance within the building
Inability to socially distance within the building
High risk if prolonged contact
Low: exposure >15minutes required +/- droplet transfer
Staged session times
Staff to only use office toilets
Not to walk unnecessarily through the building
Open all windows as able and security allows to facilitate ventilation
Monitor all persons required in the building at any given time on any given day and control footfall accordingly
Statistically there will be 14 active clinicians but only 8 required in any given hour. This leaves 5-6 people spread across 5 available rooms or on admin or homeworking.
All staff work spaces are socially distanced and spread across the building limiting physical contact.
Electronic equipment has been individually assigned and will not be shared.
All equipment, fixtures and fittings will be covered by residual antimicrobial protection technology
Yes
Unpredictable behaviour and/or movements of children/adults
Unpredictable behaviour and/or movements of children/adults
High risk of physical contact if unable to complete session within allocated area
High risk of infection from children who bite, spit, chew, experience extreme anxiety
Medium for temporary physical contact
High for oral contact and potential for skin break and infection potential
Risk assess those requiring treatment to ensure all who attend SenSI for sessions are able to be contained
Request parents/carers to physically intervene if required and to agree to do so.
Inability in this area would indicate that virtual sessions would continue.
Ensure all staff are up to date with Hep B and tetanus immunisations
Awareness is essential = further risk ax produced
Immunisations are essential
Variable on outcome of further risk ax
Attendance or presentation of symptomatic adult/child, staff or visitor
Attendance or presentation of symptomatic adult/child, staff or visitor
Risk to staff being in close contact for longer than necessary – low/medium risk depending on area and access
Potential for cross infection – High risk
Restricting staff movement though the building
Stage lunch break timings
Limit access to lodge kitchen to 3 people at a time
Work from home if not operationally needed on site ie Admin days – as agreed with management
Creation of more staff rest areas within the building for staff to access for break/lunchtime
No hot desk area
No sharing of desk space
Staff to be located in single areas of the building on a daily basis
Yes
Snack Cupboard Access
Snack Cupboard Access
Children want to touch and choose snacks and traditionally have had the ability to do so by touching several products before choosing. This is high risk of infection transfer
Risk High – risk of vulnerable child contracting disease
Replace snack cupboard choice with a choice board and therapist supplies chosen item.
Storage covered by residual antimicrobial protection technology
Discontinue snack until further review
Phone Sharing
Telephone sharing
Risk of disease transfer
High risk due to proximity to face
Application of residual antimicrobial protection technology
Limit phone sharing – main lines now transferred to personal mobiles
Messages to be taken and caller phoned back
Phones to be cleaned between users and minimal daily
Reapply residual antimicrobial protection technology
28 days as directed
Yes
Staff movements around the building – when needed to remain operational
Staff movements around the building – when needed to remain operational
Risk to staff being in close contact for longer than necessary – low/medium risk depending on area and access
Potential for cross infection – High risk
Restricting staff movement though the building
Stage lunch break timings
Limit access to lodge kitchen to 3 people at a time
Work from home if not operationally needed on site ie Admin days – as agreed with management
Creation of more staff rest areas within the building for staff to access for break/lunchtime
No hot desk area
No sharing of desk space
Staff to be located in single areas of the building on a daily basis
Yes
Parents sharing waiting room
Parents sharing waiting room
High risk if multiple families arrive and wait all at the same time or in an emergency situation
High risk especially if wait is prolonged and with potentially vulnerable/immune-compromised children.
Staggered appointment times
Clients to wait in their cars in the car park until allocated time
Only one accompanying adult per child.
If adult not required in session to wait in own car
In an emergency situation receptionist will accompany family to allocated therapy room and wait until the therapist becomes available
Stagger appointment times
2 allocated waiting areas available. Clients to be advised where to wait.
Yes
Unpredictable event such fire alarm or building emergency
Unpredictable event such fire alarm or building emergency
Unlikely as emergency exit strategy in place allows all in the building safe and uncrowded exit
Minimum as once outside the building and at a distance the fire assembly point can be used safely with social distancing measures
Fire safety checks complete
Unpredictable future for further local lock down
All safety measures in place to ensure building is health and safety managed
In the event of escalation of pandemic, local lockdown or Government directive the building would be closed and all operations would continue to be delivered virtually via staff homes.
Use of swimming pool
Use of swimming pool
Low- medium given high humidity and high temperature of ambient air in pool room – to be clarified by hydrotherapy pool guidelines
In terms of COVID – low
Pool risks remain as per standard swimming pool protocol and risk assessment
The only way to eliminate the hazard is not to allow the pool to be operational
Doors and windows will be opened to increase ventilation
Swimming pool maintained and tested both by professional management company and through local daily testing
Changing facilities will not be available for showering, clients to arrive in swim gear.
Residual antimicrobial protection technology will be applied to all surfaces, touchpoints, and equipment and surface cleaned between clients.
Swab test will be completed for significant touch points. Any areas identified as increased risk will be addressed.
Hot tub and Steam Room not to be used currently.
Access to Swimming pool plant room from Garden
Access to Swimming pool plant room from Garden
HAZARD NEGATED – LOCK APPLIED
Yes. SenSI T&Cs and notices indicate children are to be supervised at all times.
Chemical warning signs on the door
Do not enter signs on the door.
Ability to not comply with the above would indicate high risk so child may need to continue virtual sessions and not attend SenSI.
Yes
Increase transmission risk due to identification of a COVID-19 strain variant
High risk of infection transmission
Serious – COVID-19 can cause death
IN ADDITION TO THE MEASURES ABOVE:
STAFF WILL TAKE A DAILY TEMPERATURE BEFORE COMING TO WORK
STAFF WILL CHANGE INTO WORK CLOTHING ON ARRIVAL AT SENSI AND AGAIN BEFORE LEAVING TO GO HOME
STAFF WILL WEAR A FABRIC MASK AND VISOR AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN TREATMENT SESSIONS WITHIN THE SENSI BUILDING OR WHEN INTERACTING WITH CONTRACTORS OR DELIVERY PERSONEL
ANY PERSON ACCOMPANYING A TREATMENT SESSION OR ENTERING THE SENSI BUILDING MUST ALSO WEAR A MASK
ALL STAFF ARE TO WEAR SINGLE USE SURGICAL GRADE GLOVES IF CONTACT WITH A CLIENT IS ANTICIPATED
References
- nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
- nursingtimes.net/news/research-and-innovation/paper-towels-much-more-effective-at-removing-viruses-than-hand-dryers-17-04-2020/
- nhs.uk/conditions/emollients/
- hse.gov.uk/skin/professional/health-surveillance.htm
- publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
- gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
- publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
- gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people
- publichealth.hscni.net/
- hseni.gov.uk/stress
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
- https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
Author: | Vanessa Court | SenSI Therapeutic Nurse Specialist |
Reviewed By: | Annie Crofton | Director SenSI Treatment |
Approved By: | Emma Jerman | Director SenSI Treatment |
Publication Date: | August 2020 |
Proposed Review Date: | January 2021 |
Publication Date: | 1st January 2021 |
Proposed Review Date: | 1st March 2021 |