Covid 19 Risk Assessment

Inadequate screening process regarding booking of clients which will lead to infected persons entering the clinic or vulnerable clients/staff accessing the clinic.

Members of staff, visitors to the clinic including clients, those accompanying clients and other visitors.

1. At the time of booking, members of staff question the client regarding health status including raised temperature, dry cough, difficulty in breathing at that present time. A health screening form is emailed to the client which should be completed, signed and returned before the appointment is carried out

2. 24 hours before the booked appointment an email and text message is sent to check the health status of the client including any covid symptoms as stated above.

3. On arrival at the clinic, each client will be verbally asked again if their status has changed regarding symptoms, members of household’s symptoms and anyone the client may have come into contact with who have shown a change in their health status relating to Covid-19. This will be documented on their medical history records.

4. Temperature checks are done on each clienttherapist member of staff/ visitor to the clinic. Any raised temperatures, above 37.4 will not be treated and asked to leave the building.

5. All visitors and staff must wear disposable face coverings at all times whilst inside the building unless medical exemptions apply.

As stated in column D, at each stage mentioned.

Transfer of aerosol particles which may be a risk of contamination

All staff, clients and visitors to the clinic.

All floor surfaces are cleaned daily with disinfectant where possible and vacuumed to carpets. All hard surfaces are cleaned throughout the day. Therapists wash hands before and after each individual client session. Toilets and sinks are leaned twice a day using antibacterial solutions. Bins are emptied daily.

1)PPE equipment will be provided for all members of therapy staff including the following: Disposable paper face masks ( sessional), plastic aprons.

2)Administration staff will be provided with face visors/masks and regular disinfecting of these and working surfaces including desk/pens/keyboard and computer will be recommended.

3) A 2 meter distance will be restricted around the reception desk to inhibit close contact to admin staff at all times.

4). All visitors to the clinic will be required to wear face covering masks before entering.

5). Hand wipes/gel will be available outside the clinic for clients entering to disinfect hands prior to touching door handles etc.

6). Staff and visitors will be required to have their temperature taken(by non contact form) on arrival at the clinic. 38 degrees C and above is classed as raised and will not be treated or allowed to work.

7) Any member of staff showing signs of Covid-19 will be restricted from entering the clinic for 14 days and should self isolate at home.

8) Payment for treatments are encouraged to be by contactless methods.

9). Therapists will refrain from conducting any treatments which may encourage aerosol generating processes (AGP).

10). Appointment times will be extended to allow for thorough cleaning of the work environment in preparation for the next client. Air distribution will be increased in the treatment room in-between client sessions. No soft coverings will be used on couches eg towels/sheets/pillows.

11) All members of staff will be required to change into work clothes on arrival and change back again before leaving. Each day they should wear clean uniform.

12) Staff should maintain a 2 meter social distancing from each other during break and lunch times and use of the kitchen and staffroom should be staggered to avoid overcrowding.

13). Staff should remain on the premises during lunch breaks to minimise risk and should only leave the premises at the end of their shift.

Management of the clinic will be responsible for providing all PPE for employees of the clinic. Any independent practitioners will be required to provided their own PPE to the same standards as those mentioned in section D. Admin staff will be responsible for administering temperature records for staff and visitors and keeping reception and all common area surfaces including door handles thoroughly disinfected throughout the day. Users will be responsible for cleaning toilet facilities after each use. Therapists will be responsible for thorough disinfection of treatment rooms between each client.

All necessary equipment provided for staff should be in place prior to opening of the clinic post lockdown and replaced whenever necessary. Regular disinfection of the clinic will be done periodically throughout the day by each member of staff.