Covid-19 Risk Assessment

QE2 Activity Centre – Covid risk assessment

QE2 Activity Centre provides activity opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, including adventure activity sessions and day services.

The purpose of this risk assessment is to enable the Centre to continue to provide those opportunities during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

We need to be aware of the potential consequences of our actions on our service users, our staff, their respective families and contacts, and the wider community.

We also need to be aware that many of our service users and activity participants may have additional health issues.

This risk assessment should be viewed as a fluid document which will take into account future developments.

The generic risk assessment identifies that there is a risk of Covid-19 spreading through airborne particles or through particles landing on surfaces, which could result in illness or death.

Control measures in place to mitigate against infection are

handwashing before participation,
hand sanitiser available throughout session/day,
disinfectant spray and/or wipes available to be applied
social distancing
appropriate PPE.

All staff should ensure that they understand the need to break down each activity into its constituent parts and put control measures in place to minimise risks at each stage.

The purpose of a risk assessment is not to stop an activity taking place; it is to ensure that the risk is minimised to an acceptable level.

PHIL OATES

MANAGER

14 August 2020

Revised: 21 September 2020 /11 January 2021/18th February 2021/11 March 2021/17 May 2021/13 July 2021 / 29 April 2022

latest revision 17/10/2022

Vaccinations and testing

All staff who may have contact with service users have been offered the opportunity, and encouraged by management, to have Covid vaccinations and boosters

Regardless of being vaccinated or having regular testing all staff must continue to observe good practice and all precautions regarding wearing of PPE, social distancing and good personal and environmental hygiene.

The majority of service users have been vaccinated.

Cleaning and hygiene

Despite the removal of restrictions as of 19^th July 2021 many of the measures put in place to combat Covid remain good practice, particularly improved cleaning and hygiene measures.

Maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene; wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing

Note that effective cleaning routines, wearing of PPE, social distancing and good ventilation remain of paramount importance, especially with new strains of the virus being more transmissible.

It is vital that enhanced cleaning of all areas takes place between sessions and between use of areas and shared facilities such as kitchens/toilets/bathrooms etc.

All areas should remain de-cluttered to ensure effective cleaning can take place.

Enhanced cleaning schedules should be in place ensuring that all hotspot areas and items that are frequently touched are cleaned between use/users.

Items should not be shared unless they can be thoroughly cleaned. If they can’t be cleaned they should be either disposed of after use or stored in a lidded plastic container and marked for use by that service user only.

Service users and staff should continue to frequently wash hands/use hand sanitiser throughout sessions, before and after breaks, and between activities.

Note that cleaning products which are anti-bacterial do not work against the virus. Regular cleaning with detergent, warm water and chlorine based products are more effective.

PPE

Despite the removal of restrictions as of 19^th July 2021 many of the measures put in place to combat Covid remain good practice.

There is no longer a legal requirement to wear surgical masks. Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces

Social distancing

Despite the removal of restrictions as of 19^th July 2021 many of the measures put in place to combat Covid remain good practice.

For QE2 Activity Centre the best approach is to be outdoors as much as possible. Evidence shows that the risk out of doors is minimised.

Respecting each other’s personal space remains good practice.

Where it is unavoidable time spent in proximity should be minimised, especially indoors.

Identify a separate entrance and exit to buildings if possible.

Other points for consideration

Evidence continues to show that ventilation plays a significant role in curbing the spread of the virus. Keep buildings well ventilated, or better still, use open spaces.

Continue to be aware of the prevalence of Covid in the community and exercise caution.

GREENHOUSE

day service building, workshop, allotment
Up to eight participants plus staff
Time: 9:30 – 3:30

BLUE BUBBLE

A frame cabins, plus garden area
Up to sixteen participants plus staff
Time: 9:30 – 3:30

GOLD DAY SERVICE

2nd day service building, including sensory room, plus courtyard
Up to eight participants plus staff
Time: 9:30 – 3:30

SHARED AREA

Sports hall, shared area.

Activity session protocol

Activity programming

QE2 Activity Centre provision is based on outdoor activities, from canoeing, kayaking and motor boating to gardening, walking and bushcraft. Some activities take place indoors (for example, indoor climbing walls). We will prioritise those activities that can take place outdoors but have completed risk assessments for all activities so that we can safely deliver all activities at this time.

Target

To provide activities for groups of up to eight participants

Pre-attendance awareness

staff training (Covid awareness, infection control)
information for visiting staff and service users
details of participants, consent forms

Staff

use handwashing/hand sanitiser before setting up

Working area

outdoor activities will be prioritised
ensure site is clean, uncluttered
if working indoors, set up room, consider ventilation

Equipment

equipment clean and in good condition
plan enough equipment to reduce the need for sharing
hand sanitiser available throughout session/day,

Participant Arrival

designated start time
visitors will be directed to activity area
visitors should remain in designated areas

During session

briefing – reminders on social distancing, PPE, good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene
demonstrate, use visual aids, gestures and speech to explain rather than hand over hand where possible
QE2 and Visiting staff members should wear PPE in line with guidance
staff to apply hand gel or wear gloves where skin to skin contact is unavoidable
aim for enough equipment so that it does not have to be shared.
staff and service users should wash hands before and after activities

Toileting

wash hands before and after
four toilets designated for male and female visitor use

Following session

equipment and site to be left clean and tidy

Day service protocol

Target

To provide a safe, meaningful service for twenty four people per day, within three bubbles.

General

Seven staff available to operate three bubbles. Non-day service staff are available to cover for sickness.
Timings and numbers will be kept under review.
Outdoor seating areas provided. Depending on weather, outside area will be prioritised for use
Indoor seating areas arranged to help socially distance
Personal belongings will be stored safely
Drinks: hydration is important

Toileting

Wash hands before and after
After use staff will disinfect toilet area (paying particular attention to seat, handles, taps, door handle)

Activities

Brief service users and supporting staff on importance of social distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene
Maintain social distancing. Where it is not possible to maintain social distancing wear PPE. Disinfect equipment that has been handled before/after use
Staff and service users should wash hands before and after activities

End of day

Following end of activities service users to wash hands, collect belongings
Debrief: round up of the day’s activities, covid awareness
Manage departures.
Cleaning of rooms and equipment used