Warrior Workshops Covid 19 Risk Assessment
Date - 05 May 2021
Author - Tom Bradley, Lead Physiotherapist
Objective - Provide clear statutory guidelines for attending courses in the context of 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 for dealing with the current Covid-19 situation in our facility. It is subject to constant review. Please familiarize yourself with it, take responsibility to check it regularly for updates, and be accountable to the standards set out within it.
What are the hazards?
Spread of the coronavirus between team members, course leaders and delegates.
Who might be harmed
Staff, patients, educators and delegates, visitors to our premises (eg cleaners, delivery drivers, other workers within Zetland House), anyone that comes into contact with us at work, or on our way to and from work.
Special consideration
Anyone who has knowingly been in contact with a person with Covid 19 in the past 2 weeks.
Anyone with, high temperature (above 37.8), a new and continuous cough , loss of taste or smell, flu like symptoms
Anyone in the high or moderate risk categories
There are 2 levels of higher risk:
high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable)- these patients will be offered only virtual appointments
moderate risk (clinically vulnerable)- these patients will be triaged and treated remotely first. If face to face contact is deemed clinically necessary then the patient will need to discuss this with their GP before booking in.
those that care for or have close contact with people from the high and medium risk categories, and neither of these groups of people will be allowed to attend our educational workshops in any circumstances.
Delegates in these risk groups will be identified using a consent form that will be sent 2 days beofre the course is due to start. Without these consent forms completed, the admission will be refused.
Health conditions that need to be screened for are as follows
People at high risk (clinically extremely vulnerable)
People at high risk from coronavirus include people who:
have had an organ transplant
are having chemotherapy or antibody treatment for cancer, including immunotherapy
are having an intense course of radiotherapy (radical radiotherapy) for lung cancer
are having targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system (such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors)
have blood or bone marrow cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the past 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppressant medicine
have been told by a doctor they have a severe lung condition (such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD)
have a condition that means they have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID or sickle cell)
are taking medicine that makes them much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids or immunosuppressant medicine)
have a serious heart condition and are pregnant
People at moderate risk (clinically vulnerable)
People at moderate risk from coronavirus include people who:
are 70 or older
have a lung condition that's not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis)
have heart disease (such as heart failure)
have diabetes
have chronic kidney disease
have liver disease (such as hepatitis)
have a condition affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy)
have a condition that means they have a high risk of getting infections
are taking medicine that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids)
are very obese (a BMI of 40 or above)
are pregnant
People who are currently shielding due to a positive Antigen test or been in contact with a positive case , or been contacted by Track and Trace or are in quarantine after travel from restricted countries CANNOT be offered a face to face appointment.
The list of quarantine countries is changeable and will be monitored via : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel
Controls Required
Self reporting of illness / Symptoms of Covid-19/ Clinician monitoring
Organisers, educators and delegates will take their own temperature using a non touch thermometer at the start of each day at the course. If this is above 37.8, the person cannot stay at the course. They will record their temperature and lateral rapid flow test result in the pre course certification log kept at the entrance..
Before the event every person will be asked to confirm they have not had symptoms for 10 days prior to their appointment.
Self testing and reporting
From w/c 01 May 2021 each attendee will conduct a self administered rapid flow test in the 2 days prior to attending, and self certify they are negative
Most local authorities have testing centres for rapid flow tests for asymptomatic individuals. Key workers are encouraged to attend regularly at no cost to ensure they do not spread the virus, Information can be found on local borough websites.
If the attendee tests positive on a lateral flow test they will stay at home and contact the NHS for a PCR test within THREE days as the test is most sensitive to the virus in this time period. They MUST self isolate until they get the result .The isolation period includes the day their symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they do not have symptoms) and the next 10 FULL DAYS.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
If anyone becomes unwell with a new continuous cough or a high temperature in the workplace they will be sent home wearing a mask and advised to avoid as much social contact as possible whilst commuting home. They will arrange immediately for a PCR test.
Every attendee must sign in using NHS track and trace at the start of each day
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. https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/
Hand Washing
This is compulsory for both patients and staff before, during and after every contact
Hand washing facilities with soap and water in place.
Stringent hand washing taking place - see hand washing guidance.
Drying hands with paper towels, and disposing of paper towels immediately
Gel sanitisers in any area where washing facilities not readily available
Social Distancing
All attendees should maintain a distance of at least 1m from others, preferably 2m wherever possible.
Attendees will be seated in groups maximum of 6, preferably of 2.
All attendees will be seated shoulder to shoulder or back to back to avoid face to face contact wherever possible
Attendees should try to commute by bicycle or walking where possible, and if they do have to use public transport, they should avoid peak rush hour times are avoided for commuting.
Arrival times will designed to run staggered to avoid overlap at reception
There will be 30 minute breaks throughout the day where the room will be completely cleaned and ventilated.
Social distancing must also be adhered to in common areas of Zetland House, or coming into contact with other people that work at Zetland house
Staff should where possible commute to work by walking, by bike or by car. Where this is not possible, and public transport has to be used, facemasks must be worn, and handwashing / hand sanitising protocols strictly adhered to. See also section below on clothing.
PPE
PPE will be provided for all, including gloves, facemasks and aprons. Course leaders will change PPE when moving between each practical group.
Attendees will familiarise themselves with the correct donning and doffing procedures for PPE:
Video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GncQ_ed-9w&feature=youtu.be
Facemasks
Facemasks are obligatory at all time on our courses. If you are unable to wear a facemask due to medical reasons we regret you will not be able to attend the course.
Aprons
Plastic single use aprons will be worn by staff members for every contact and changed between every patient.
Gloves
Gloves will be worn by all for every contact and changed regularly throughout the day
Clothing
Every delegate will carry clean clothes on their commute to change into and out of at the start and end of each day. All clothing must be washed according to government guidelines which in summary is :
Clothing should be transported home in a disposable plastic bag or a reusable cloth bag that can be laundered. Hand hygiene should be performed after removing a uniform and placing it into a bag for transport. Plastic bags should be disposed of into the household waste stream. Cloth bags should be laundered with the uniform.
Clothing should be laundered
separately from other household linen
in a load of no more than half the machine capacity
at the maximum temperature the fabric can tolerate, then ironed or tumbled-dried
Note: It is best practice to change into and out of uniforms at work and not wear them when travelling. This is based on public perception rather than evidence of an infection risk. This does not apply to community health workers who are required to travel between patients in the same uniform.’
Cleaning
Cleaning and disinfecting of fomites (objects and surfaces that are touched regularly particularly in areas of high use) between each and every use, and at the end of each segment of the course.
All furniture has been replaced with wipe clean surfaces, and should be regarded as potential fomites.
Fomites include but are not limited to door handles, light switches, card machine, reception area, weights, mats, taps, gym equipment
All delegates will use the cleaning products provided - spray and a cloth/ paper towel to clean communal equipment after every use.
The floor area will be mopped at the end of each session using the mop with disinfectant.
Rubbish bins will be changed at the end of every day
All relevant posters from this document will be displayed close to hand washing / sanitising facilities and PPE stations.
Other considerations
The main gym,and weights and boxing rooms are strictly off limits. Delegates can only use the area designated.
Neither staff nor delegates can use the showers or changing area
Toilets are available near by for which a fob will be provided.
Bikes cannot be stored within Zetland house, the Vault or the clinic, by staff or patients, and must be locked outside using street furniture.