Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice - Free Risk Assessment Document Download

What is Coronavirus? 

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses known to cause a range of illnesses, from the common cold to the SARS-CoV outbreak in 2003. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus, originating in Wuhan, China, not previously detected in humans. 
 

How is it transmitted? 

Coronaviruses are mainly transmitted by large respiratory droplets and direct or indirect contact with infected secretions.

What does this mean? Essentially, Covid-19 is most likely to be transmitted from person to person through coughs and sneezes and can also be passed by other bodily fluids. 
 

How can I protect myself and those around me? 

Surface Sanitising 

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking preventative action that includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. This means keeping surfaces such as door handles, desks, TV remotes and computer keyboards clean and sanitised.

We'd recommend a two step process - first clean using a neutral detergant such as washing up liquid and then disinfect using Chlorine Sanitising Tablets diluted in a trigger bottle. Spray the chlorine solution on the surface, leave for 5 minutes and then wipe clean. Use disposable cloths and mop heads so as to minimise risk of cross-contamination.

 




Hand Hygiene 

The other way to protect yourself and the people around you is to practice good hand hygiene. The best way to do this is to wash your hands regularly with soap and running water. Ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds and dry your hands afterwards. If you cough or sneeze, do this into a tissue. Dispose of the tissue then wash your hands. Wash you hands after visiting the bathroom, before and after preparing food and when handling animals or objects you don't know to be sanitised. 

I run a business… What else should I do? 

In order to protect your business from the risks of an outbreak of Coronavirus it is crucial that you not only follow the general guidance provided by the government, but that you also conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. This means that you can then put in place the appropriate policies and procedures to protect your business and the people within it. 

If you’re not sure where to start, a useful document has been created by Andrew Protheroe MSc. Andrew is a director at PCR Global Limited, a consultancy firm committed to providing expert support and guidance on the delivery of risk managed solutions.

The fully editable document is designed to help you create a plan to manage a Coronavirus outbreak and all eventualities associated with it including what to do to prevent the spread of infection and also how to respond if an employee becomes sick or travels back from an infected country.  

You can add additional measures specific to your business for example update the frequency of cleaning measures you will take or any information relating to more vulnerable staff members or customers (the current guidance is that all employees that are able to should be allowed to work from home and in particular those in the at-risk groups (Over 70s, those with serious conditions and pregnant women).

It’s important that all staff members get sight of your completed risk assessment and sign to say they have read and understood the information contained within. 

The document is totally free and available to download here
 

My team are working from home, what should i do?

With the social-distancing measures introduced by the Government on 16th March 2020, and measures tightened further since then, many of your staff may be now working from home. Employers should carry out a risk assessment specific to every homeworker to ensure that everyone has a work environment which is fit for purpose and safe - common issues that should be addressed are DSE, lone working and managing stress. 

Social distancing measures mean that it would not be suitable to have the person responsible for health and safety within your business visit each homeworker to conduct the risk assessment.