RA completed by:
RA reviewed by:
RA reference number:
RISK ASSESSMENT - PANDEMIC
Signature:
Signature:
Date:
Date:
Date:
Tasks covered: Premises setup and management to reduce the risks of those on site being exposed to infectious diseases. This risk assessment identifies the arrangements a company should implement after legal restrictions have been removed.
Note: All arrangements to protect against spread of disease should be reviewed regularly and updated if the government changes its advice.
High-risk activities should cease immediately. Further effective control measures to mitigate risks must be introduced.
Medium risks should only be tolerated for the short term and only whilst further control measures to mitigate the risks are being planned and introduced.
Low risks are largely acceptable. Where it is reasonable to do so, efforts should be made to reduce risks further.
1.Identify the persons at risk and the significant hazards.
2.Calculate an initial RR for the activity.
3.Identify risk control measures that reduce the risks to an acceptable level.
4.Calculate a revised RR - assuming the control measures are followed. (Consider changing both the likelihood (L) and the severity (S) ratings.)
Note. In many instances you will be able to reduce risks further by asking staff/others to wear/use PPE. You should identify which items are required for the task here:
Additional requirements:
There is no requirement for the precautionary use of extra PPE to protect against airborne diseases outside clinical settings or when responding to a suspected or confirmed case of illness.
In the event of a pandemic if staff or others wish to wear a face mask or face covering, this should not be discouraged. However, wearing one should not be mandatory, unless government guidance declares it. Facemasks must be worn in locations identified in the government guidance, for example, on public transport.
Note. PPE must only be considered when other control measures such as guarding, local exhaust extraction, preventing noise at source, eliminating the need to work at height etc. are not possible. PPE should always be considered as a last resort option. PPE should only be worn when there is reasonable justification for doing so.
Risk assessment
If you may be exposed to the disease causing the pandemic
If vaccinations for the current illness are available:-
• If you are double vaccinated: if you come into contact with someone who has a confirmed case, you should take regular lateral flow tests. If you display symptoms, you should take a PCR test.
• If you are not double vaccinated, if you come into contact with someone who has a confirmed case, you must isolate for a period of ten days.
Risk assessment
• Staff and others should work from home if it is reasonably practicable to do so.
• Meetings and contact with those who you do not work/meet regularly should be completed remotely whenever it is reasonably practicable to do so.
• There must be an adequate supply or fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace. This can be achieved with natural ventilation or, if necessary, mechanical ventilation.
• Social distancing to be reinforced in so far as is reasonably practicable.
•
• Extra cleaning regimes to be implemented, including sanitising of all surfaces touched by hand, e.g. handrails, door handles, etc.
• Hand sanitiser points to be available to all premises occupants. They are to be placed near entrances, kitchens and around the workplace.
• All persons are to be regularly reminded to:
1.Wash hands with soap and water often - do this for at least 20 seconds.
2.Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
3.Wash your hands regularly throughout the day.
4.Use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.
5.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
6.Dispose of any tissues in appropriate waste receptacles as quickly as possible.
• Employees must identify a suitable location to work in their home. It should provide sufficient separation from likely disruptions and space to allow them to work in a safe manner.
• Workstations and work routines should be set up and maintained as per HSE guidance. Staff to report any problems with setting up a workstation to their line manager. Assistance to be provided if required.
• Equipment, access to systems etc. to be provided and maintained to ensure staff can complete their duties at home.
• Communication and reporting channels to be clearly identified to all home workers.
• If the work at home duties are not restricted to using display screen equipment, a safe system of work is to be developed by the line manager and agreed by employee.
• If hazardous substances are to be used, how they are to be used and stored is to be defined in a safe system of work.
• There must be an adequate supply or fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace. This can be achieved with natural ventilation or if necessary, mechanical ventilation.
• Carbon dioxide monitors to be used to identify suitable and sufficient air quality in indoor rooms. An average reading of 800 parts per million (ppm) is likely to indicate that a space is well ventilated.
• Action to improve ventilation should be taken if readings are higher than 1500ppm for normal use, or greater than 800ppm for rooms used for continuous talking.
• The HSE’s case studies on ventilation to be followed: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipmentand-machinery/how-you-can-improveventilation.htm
• Advice on using carbon dioxide detectors to identify poorly ventilated areas to be followed: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipmentand-machinery/air-conditioning-andventilation/identifying-poorly-ventilatedareas.htm
• Facemasks must be worn when travelling on public transport.
• Staff to explore remote options for meetings etc. before travelling.
• Facemasks must be worn when attending large events – host will identify when a facemask is required.
• Staff should only attend large events if they feel safe doing so. Staff are to report concerns to their line manager.