Covid-19 Risk Assessment

Hazards

People at risk

Action: control to reduce risk to appropriate level

Risk after action taken:

Low, Medium or High

Transmission of Covid-19 Coronavirus in the workplace

• Employees

• Visitors to your premises including Customers

Hand Washing

• Hand washing facilities with soap and water in place.

• Employees 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” public health guidance and to avoid touching face, eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. Tissues will be made available throughout the workplace.

• Staff encouraged to protect the skin by applying emollient cream regularly

• Gel sanitisers in any area where washing facilities not readily available, particularly at entry and exit points to premises

Encourage staff 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

Poster about Corona Virus on display on door at entrance and on counter in shop

Other Measures

Only 2 customers permitted in shop at any one time, keeping a 2-metre distance. This may be reduced to 1 customer in the shop at a time if it doesn't work.

Watch batteries replacement – customers are asked to leave the watch and return later so as not to be waiting in the shop.

Watch will be placed in our LED UV sterilising box before the battery is replaced.

All tools will be sterlised between battery replacement.

Completed watch battery will be placed in plastic bag or kitchen paper to return to customer.

Contactless payment encouraged.

Loose change will be washed before we reopen.

Any notes we are given will be put in our UV steriliser before going into our till. Any loose change will be washed. Change put in a bowl of soapy water. Washed after customer has left the shop.

Any item of jewellery which is tried on will be placed into our UV steriliser before being added to the shop display.

Members of staff will wash their hands regularly, and at least every 30 minutes despite no contact with anyone else.

Alternatives to touch-based security devices such as keypads will be used where reasonably practicable:

Cleaning

Frequently cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces during the day and at the end of the day that are touched regularly particularly in areas of high use such as door handles, light switches, reception area using standard cleaning products and methods.

Regular checks will be carried out by line managers to ensure that the necessary cleaning procedures are being followed.

Social Distancing

Social Distancing –Means reducing the number of persons in any work area to comply with the 2-metre (6.5 foot) gap in accordance with Public Health advice:

Staff will remain apart if at all possible – with one downstairs and one upstairs or if both are needed on the shop floor, keeping at least 2 metres apart.

High traffic areas will be regulated including corridors, lifts, turnstiles and walkways to maintain social distancing. Staff should use stairs instead of lifts where possible.

Reviewing work schedules including start & finish times/shift patterns, working from home etc. to reduce number of workers on site and entering or leaving the work premises or site at any one time. Also relocating workers to other tasks to ensure social distancing.

Redesigning processes to ensure social distancing in place. This includes the use of 2m markings and a

Communal Areas

Staff to be reminded on regular basis of the importance of social distancing in the workplace.

Where at all possible we will work apart.

We will have our own pens and cabinet keys.

Mitigating Actions

We have installed perspex screens at the counters.

We have purchased a UV Sterlilsing Unit.

Hand sanitiser is readily available for customers and employees.

We have marked the floor and put up notices explaining that only 2 customers are permitted in the shop at any one time.

Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full, we will carefully consider whether that activity needs to continue for the business to operate, and, if so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission between staff as follows:

Encouraging increased frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning

Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible

Using screens or barriers to separate people from each other

Using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible

Reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed teams or partnering’ (so each person works with only a few others). A consistent pairing system will be put in place if people have to work in close proximity, for example, during two-person working, lifting or maintenance activities that cannot be redesigned.

Where people must work face-to-face for a sustained period with more than a small group of fixed partners, we will assess whether the activity can safely go ahead.

Accidents, Security and Other Incidents

In an emergency, for example, an accident, fire, break-in or trespass, people do not have to stay 2m apart if it would be unsafe.

People involved in the provision of assistance to others should pay particular attention to sanitation measures immediately afterwards, including washing hands.

Wearing of Gloves

Where the 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.

Staff to be reminded that wearing of gloves is not a substitute for good hand washing.

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

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 as PPE is of very limited benefit in reducing the risk of the transmission of COVID-19.

Where RPE is a requirement for risks associated with the work undertaken the following measures will be followed-

Tight-fitting respirators (such as disposable FFP3 masks and reusable half masks) rely on having a good seal with the wearer’s face. A face fit test will be carried out to ensure the respiratory protective equipment (RPE) can protect the wearer.

Wearers must be clean shaven.

Face Coverings

Employees are not required to wear face coverings in the workplace as using a face covering as a method of protecting others from transmission of COVID 19 is weak and the effect is likely to be small. However, we will support workers in using face coverings safely if they choose to wear one in the workplace. In those circumstances employees will be reminded to:

Wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on, and after removing it. When wearing a face covering, avoid touching their face or face covering and practise social distancing wherever possible.

We will provide face shields to carry out watch battery replacement and this can be worn at other times.

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.

Denise or Jonathan 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 body 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.

Drivers

People should not share vehicles or cabs used for work where possible. Where vehicle sharing cannot be avoided, passenger numbers will be limited and seats left empty to ensure distancing so far as possible.

Clinically vulnerable Employees

If clinically vulnerable individuals, such as pregnant employees or those with health conditions (but not extremely clinically vulnerable individuals who will continue to work from home where possible) cannot work from home, they will be offered the option of the safest available on-site roles, enabling them to stay 2m away from others. If they have to spend time within 2m of others. We will assess whether this involves an acceptable level of risk.

Expectant mothers are entitled to suspension on full pay if suitable roles cannot be found.

We will also consider any appropriate measures for employees who live with clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.

Mental Health

Management will promote mental health & wellbeing awareness to staff during the Coronavirus outbreak and will offer whatever support they can to help:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/Regular communication of mental health information and line manager support for those who need additional support. [If applicable] [Staff has access to mental health first aiders in the workplace and has been given appropriate information on this.]