Covid-19 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 between use by different individuals (if shared use is unavoidable);
• plus maintain 2m or 1m+ social distancing
• wear 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 2021/18^th February 2021/11 March 2021

Revised 17 May 2021

 

 

VACCINATIONS AND TESTING

 

• All staff who may have contact with service users have been offered the opportunity, and encouraged by management, to have a Covid vaccination.

 

• All staff who may have contact with service users are to have weekly PCR Covid tests and twice weekly lateral flow tests

 

• 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.

 

 

Cleaning and hygiene

 

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.

 

• Keep evidence of thorough cleaning within the setting – eg, written cleaning schedules to be in place, statements of practice around cleaning, and the carrying out/recording of spot checks.

 

• 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

• Staff should wear PPE face maskscovering both the nose and mouth.  These should be PPE face masks and not just face coverings.

 

• Service users should also wear PPE face masks, again ensuring both nose and mouth are covered – provided the individual can tolerate this.

 

• Where they are not able to tolerate this, they can wear a face covering but this should, where possible, be suitably thick (three layers)

 

• and they must keep a minimum of 2 metres distance from others.

 

• face and mask touching is a risk and whenever possible ensure that hands are washed and masks changed if touched.

 

Social distancing

 

• Social distancing should be maintained at 2 metres or more by staff and service users where possible. Where it is unavoidable PPE should be worn, time spent in proximity should be minimised.

 

• 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 check service users’ home situation on arrival. Check with service users that there is no-one at home who has COVID, who has COVID symptoms, or who are self-isolating.

 

• Service users are offered twice weekly lateral flow tests and encouraged and supported to use them.

 

• Service users should not be coming into services using public transport at this time.

 

• The same rules apply to staff as to service users, not mixing across clients wherever possible, and are not taking unnecessary risks, such as car sharing.

 

• Staff should ensure they are 2 metres apart when taking breaks and ensure the area they took their break in is cleaned thoroughly afterwards.

 

• join the bi-weekly IPC call, or catch up with the recordings, to ensure their knowledge is maximised in this area.

 

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

 

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

 

Procedure if someone shows Covid-19 symptoms

 

–       Ask carers and service users to alert you straight away if they feel unwell and not to attend if that is the case.

 

–       If someone becomes unwell at the service, they should be sent home and follow the self-isolation guidance.

 

–       While waiting to be collected, they should be moved, where possible, to the Canteen, using the rear door. Ensure adequate ventilation, open windows

 

–       A staff member may accompany them, wearing appropriate PPE disposable gloves and apron, fluid-resistant surgical mask (and possible eye protection is advised by risk assessment).

 

–       If it is not possible to use the Canteen, remove other staff and service users to another area.

 

–       Toilet may be used by a person with Covid symptoms while awaiting transfer.  This should not then be used by anyone else before cleaning has taken place.

 

–       The staff member should wash their hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after any contact with someone who is unwell

 

–       The staff member helping does not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves or the service user tests positive

 

–       The area used should be cleaned and disinfected using standard cleaning products before being used by anyone else.

 

–       If it is an emergency, they are seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk call 999

 

 

We have zoned our site to avoid bubbles crossing paths. This includes separate toilets for each day service bubble and separate toilets for visitors.

 

Activity group visitors will not be operating in the same areas as day service users; and there will not be more than one visiting activity group in buildings at any time.

 

Test and trace policy

A central daily log will be taken and kept for 21 days with name and contact details for each person coming on site, including staff, day service users, visiting activity groups and other visitors, with an indication of the where they were (eg, visitor may come for boat trip and not be in QE2 buildings at all; day service users will be in one zone).  An NHS QR code poster is displayed

 

Keeping up to date

• Staff have completed Infection Control and Covid Awareness training
• https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus plus SCC and HCC and carer support groups.

 

Fire risk assessment

We have reviewed our fire risk assessment and found that there is no need to alter fire evacuation policies; fire exits remain viable, fire point remains viable.

Social distancing should be maintained at Fire Assembly Point

 

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.  The exception is swings and zipwire, which involve close-up interaction when checking harnesses, shared equipment is unavoidable and they are quite physical activities.

 

Target

To provide activities for groups of up to eight participants

 

Pre-attendance awareness

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

 

Staff

1. use handwashing/hand sanitiser before setting up
2. carry PPE pack containing masks, gloves and gel

 

Working area

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

 

Equipment

1. equipment clean and in good condition
2. plan enough equipment to reduce the need for sharing
3. lifejackets/B. Aids, harnesses, etc will be issued by Instructor

 

Sanitiser

1. hand sanitiser available throughout session/day,
2. disinfectant spray and/or wipes available to be applied between use (if shared use is unavoidable)

 

Participant arrival    

1. designated start time
2. managed parking, instructor to be on hand to give directions,
3. staff member to take temperature, ask about health of service user
4. administer hand sanitiser, hand washing facilities available
5. visitors will be directed to activity area
6. visitors should remain in designated areas

 

During session

1. briefing – reminders on social distancing, PPE, good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene
2. demonstrate, use visual aids, gestures and speech to explain rather than hand over hand where possible
3. maintain 2m social distancing or 1m+ if that is not possible
4. QE2 and Visiting staff members should wear PPE in line with guidance
5. service users should wear face coverings if they are able
6. staff to apply hand gel or wear gloves where skin to skin contact is unavoidable
7. staff to wear aprons when carrying out personal care
8. aim for enough equipment so that it does not have to be shared. If that is not possible, disinfect equipment before it is used by another person
9. staff and service users should wash hands before and after activities

 

Toileting

1. wash hands before and after
2. four toilets designated for male and female visitor use
3. regular disinfecting of the toilet area will take place (paying particular attention to seat, handles, taps, door handle)

Following session

1. at the end of activity/session participants to wash hands, return to transport
2. all equipment to be cleaned/sanitised or quarantined
3. area used needs to be cleaned/sanitised

 

Day Service protocol

Target

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

 

General

Seven staff available to operate three bubbles.

Non-day service staff are available to cover for sickness.

Staggered opening times for each bubble.

Timings and numbers will be kept under review.

 

GREENHOUSE

day service building, workshop, allotment

Up to eight participants

Time: 9:30 – 3:30

 

GOLD DAY SERVICE

2nd day service building, including sensory room, plus courtyard

Up to six participants

Time: 10:00 – 4:00

 

BLUE BUBBLE

A frame cabins, plus garden area

Time:  9;45 – 3:45

 

RED AREA

Sports hall, shared area, includes access to separate toilets for day activity visitors

 

 

General

• Staff and service users will remain in their bubbles
• managed drop off, one service user at a time, met by staff member
• Staff member to take temperature, ask about health of service user
• Administer hand sanitiser
• 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 so drinks will be provided; identifiable cups will be provided; staff will be responsible for washing cups

 

Briefing

• Covid awareness using visual prompts and exercises: reminders on social distancing, good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene.
• Handwashing before next session starts, ie, handwashing training

 

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
• One staff member to be allocated to car park duty to manage departures.
• Cleaning of rooms and equipment used