Date of Assessment: 19/05/2020
Assessment Reference: RA044 Coronavirus ( Covid-19)
Assessment Area: PAL Extrusions
Assessment Carried out by: Craig Edge
Residual identified risks and actions:
Employee Lack of awareness regarding covid. Covid -19 is a global pandemic. Daily government statements are broadcast giving facts / figures and government guidance that is repeated on every news channel. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Latest government posters are displayed on notice boards and in the rest rooms and toilets.
Company memos have been sent out to the staff advising of the situation. These will include information regarding symptoms and what to do if you or someone in your household shows signs of these symptoms.
Work place Guidance poster have been produced advising on issues such as social distancing, Cleanliness, Sharing work equipment and PPE.
Monitor daily government guidelines and action as appropriate.
Everyday hygiene procedures. Hygiene is normally undertaken by the company cleaner, Toilets and rest rooms are thoroughly cleaned daily, all office bins are emptied daily. Each office on a weekly basis has floors vacuumed and desks polished.
All staff have been instructed to ensure all equipment required to undertake daily tasks are sanitised at the start and end of the day and should be regularly cleaned during the shift. This would include production tools and measuring equipment, desks, door handles and areas that are shared such as kitchens and toilets. They are to be wiped down using disinfectant spray or wipes.
Sanitising stations have been set up on multiple areas around the production area and cleaning products issued to each office.
Welfare facilities will contain suitable levels of soap, anti bacterial gel, barrier cream and moisturising cream
Stock levels of all the products were increased when the first reports of this virus spreading was reported.
Stock levels are to be monitored closely and reported to the purchasing manager.
Prevention (Catching / spreading). Daily government information is broadcast giving facts / figures and government guidance on the spread of the disease and what practical steps that can be taken to reduce transmission. Where applicable these steps are being implemented within the business.
Stock levels of all soaps, Hand sanitisers and disinfectant wipes were increased when the first reports of this virus spreading was reported.
A review of the guidance was conducted daily by the directors and H&S Manager of the government guidance when the reports of the virus escalating.
All staff were requested to wash or sanitise their hands on entry to the building and advised that they should wash their hands at regular intervals for 20 seconds. Signs have been displayed for correct hygiene methods
All equipment, desks, door handles and areas that are shared are to be wiped down using disinfectant spray or wipes at the start and end of each shift.
Signs have been displayed around the company advising how to minimise the spread of germs when coughing or sneezing.
Monitor daily government guidelines and action as appropriate.
Staff advised to stay at home and self isolate in line with the guidelines if they or anyone they live with showed signs of the virus. Links to government guidance were sent out to employees and displayed on notice boards
Employees were asked to give details of any overseas travel they may have taken in the month prior to the virus spreading or are planning on taking in the coming months.
A review of staff that could work from home was conducted and arrangements for new equipment was undertaken and purchased.
Visitors to the site has been restricted and should only be allowed if there is no alternative. Collection and delivery drivers are reported on separately.
Staff have been instructed to follow the guidance on Social distancing.
Monitor daily government guidelines and action as appropriate.
Face masks, latex gloves and face visors have been purchased in the event that social distancing measures cannot be observed outside of the normal working activity, but these would only be used if no alternative way around the situation can be found. 2 Metre floor markings have been put down around the clocking in / out area to show social distancing requirements.
One way system has been introduced for walkways by the production office that has a high level of foot traffic.
At risk employees. All employees who were known medical conditions or were over 70 years of age will have a discussion with top management to discuss isolation plans.
All employees classed as high risk will be reviewed prior to returning to work
Staff member suspected of virus. Details of the symptoms of covid-19 have been displayed on notice boards and rest rooms.
A memo has been sent out to all staff listing government websites and advise on what to do in the event of them having possible symptoms of covid- 19
Staff members have been instructed to self isolate in accordance with government guidance in the event of having symptoms or living with someone who has the symptoms.
A non contact thermometer has been purchased that can be used to check for high temperatures that are associated with the virus should someone be taken ill at work.
The staff member will be requested to go home and follow government guidelines.
Arrangements will be made for cleaning / disinfecting the staff members working area / equipment.
Work colleagues will be advised to be aware of systems and not to come to work if they develop systems.
Monitor daily government guidelines and action as appropriate.
Staff member reports a family member having virus. A memos has been sent out that if a staff member has been in contact with someone who has the symptoms of Covid-19 they must follow the information given on the government websites.
The company ceased operations on March 27th for 3 weeks in accordance with the government lock down. As the company started to re open a discussion with all staff members returning to work was had to confirm their health status.
Employee travel plans. All employees were asked to give details of any recent travel plans or imminent travel plans and these could be checked against the list of high risks countries that were produced by government guidance.
All staff have been instructed that they must notify the business should they need to travel outside of the UK in the coming months.
Monitor daily government guidelines and action as appropriate.
First aid. All first aiders on site are in current Qualification. Advise was taken at the start of the Covid – 19 virus as to precautions regarding CPR. First aiders were advised to not give rescue breaths during CPR and only to administer chest compressions until relieved by qualified paramedics.
First Aider guidance has been updated by St John Ambulance service. This has been sent out to the first aiders in a memo. The first aid room has now got masks and face shields as extra precaution measures when dealing with injured personnel.
If Possible, treatment of Minor injuries may be done by the injured person under the supervision of a first aider so as to limit contact.
Communication with PLT Training who train our First aiders has also taken place to monitor any changes to the guidance.
Monitor government guidelines and action as appropriate.
PPE. Staff must wear their daily work wear PPE where required. The guidance produce by the Government states that there is very little scientific evidence of widespread benefit from PPE. Instead, practising good hand hygiene and social distancing is key to minimising the risk of infection.
Face masks, latex gloves and face visors have been purchased in the event that social distancing measures cannot be observed outside of the normal working activity, These measures of PPE is only to be used if no alternative measure can be found.
Staff have been advised that wearing latex gloves is not a substitute for good hand hygiene.
Monitor daily stock levels and report to purchase manager.
Monitor daily government guidelines and action as appropriate.
Close working proximity. On occasions certain activities may require personnel to work closer that the guidance advises.
The activity will need to be reviewed to determine if the activity as absolutely necessary, can an alternative method be found to doing the activity away from the usual way it is done and can the activity be done so as the personnel are not directly facing each other e.g. ( Side to side).
If the activity has to be done face to face the final option is to use PPE. Hands should be washed before putting on the gloves, face masks and face shields.
The amount of time required to do the activity should be kept to the minimum.
Once the activity is completed the PPE should be disposed of and hands washed again.
Issues arising to be addressed on an individual basis dependent on task.
Employees Delivery and collections. A review of the HSTG’s for loading and unloading has taken place and due to the fact that the drivers have to stay in the vehicles whilst the operation is in place allows for social distancing.
Where possible paperwork will note exchange hands as delivery notes will be emailed prior to the PAL purchasing manager and all paperwork transfer is done electronically where possible.
Social distancing should be practiced during the exchange of paperwork if it cannot be done electronically.
Delivery paperwork to PAL is scanned and emailed to the purchase manager who is working from home.
Process to be monitored for additional changes by Goods Inwards / Dispatch Managers
Drivers of PAL Delivery vehicles. A review of the HSTG’s for loading and unloading has taken place of PAL vehicles at customers sites. Due to the fact that the drivers have to stay in the vehicles or a designated safe area whilst the operation is in place this allows for social distancing.
Vehicles where possible will not have multiple drivers. 1 vehicle, 1 driver.
All drivers have been issued additional safety measures on top of their normal PPE . These include Latex Gloves, Hand Sanitiser ,Masks & Wipes. Drivers should wash their hands at the start and end of the shift and as often as possible when out driving where it I safe to do so.
The vehicle control surfaces and points of contact should be cleaned down at the start and end of each shift and where possible as often as they can.
All rubbish should be removed from the vehicle at the end of each shift.
Process to be monitored for additional changes ongoing by Despatch Managers.
Key. P = PAL personnel, PV = PAL Visitors, PC = Pal Customers C = Contractors, U = Unauthorised, A = All”
19/05/2020 Issue 1 covid-19 virus. Produced by Craig Edge
A more detailed copy of this assessment including risk scoring is available on request, please contact Craig Edge – craig.edge@palgroup.co.uk