SUMMER 2021 COMBINED COVID-19 SAFE RISK ASSESSMENT
YOU Massage Therapy +
YOU Therapy Centre +
Younity Well-being
Combined COVID-19 Safe Risk Assessment, Summer 2021
- UPDATED 16/07/2021 – amendments and additions in BOLD applicable from 19/07/2021
| We have assessed our practice for risks outlined and put in additional processes as detailed below
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| Undertaken a risk assessment | · Risk assessment for offering limited treatments with Tim carried out 6/6/20 by Caz.
· Risk assessment updated 16/07/2020 to prepare for opening of basement and top floor (3 more treatment rooms, 2nd reception area, 2nd waiting area and 2nd entrance) Risk Assessment Reviewed prior to reopening at each stage of the Road Map · All staff confirmed with insurers that they are able to return to work with policy cover. · Risk assessment updated for additional staff and room opening 2/12/20 by Caz · Risk assessment updated to reflect any changes in procedures 12/04/21 by Caz. Risk Assessment reviewed and published by Amy 10/05/2021 Risk Assessment reviewed and published by Amy 16/07/2021 |
| Heightened cleaning regimes | · Singular reception area will be cleaned at the end of each shift.
· Waiting areas will be cleaned at the end of each shift. · Couch and other items in treatment rooms will be wiped down between in each patient. · Removal of any unnecessary items in all areas to reduce items that need cleaning each day. · Any large items (shelves etc) that cannot be tidied away to be covered with a plastic sheet. · Surfaces such as door handles, light switches, door frames, banisters, taps, door locks etc will all be cleaned regularly throughout the day. · Paperwork kept stored away |
| Increased protection measures | · Ground floor entrance to be kept locked and ground floor receptionist will be responsible for letting people into and out of the building.
· Basement entrance is a staff only entry point. Clients in the basement may also use this to exit when let out by a staff member · Tape marks on floor in communal areas to ensure social distancing where possible. · All bookings to be made, and paid for, in advance, either on the phone, online or rebooked directly after treatment. · Suitable protective equipment provided for staff (masks only and cleaning spray and cloths for each room) |
| Put in place distancing measures | · Staggered treatment times to minimise the chance of multiple people being in reception or waiting areas at the same time.
· Place shelf in front of reception desk in ground floor reception area to maintain safe distance · Tape on the floor in communal areas · 2nd desk setup in main reception area at a safe distance to assist with check in and out |
| Staff training | · Training guide on how to safely put on and remove PPE
· Training guide on extra precautions to be taken when traveling to and from work. · Training guide on how to interact with staff and clients while in the studio. · Training guide on customer journey from booking to treatment. · Training given on how to use lateral flow testing, self employed staff advised to operate twice weekly · Staff advised that masks will still be required in communal areas and that any removal of the mask must be done so in the room, having provided their own self employed risk assessment, client consent and logging of such in rare cases only |
| Table 2a. Protection of staff and patients before they visit, and when in, the clinic.
We have assessed the following areas of risk in our practice and put in place the following precautions to |
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| Area of Risk | Description of risk | Mitigating action |
| Pre-screening for risk before public/patients visit the clinic
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Risk of encountering somebody who has the virus | · Pre-screening questionnaire sent to client at least 24 hours before treatment and it is required before entry
· Reconfirmation of questionnaire upon arrival at the studio to ensure nothing has changed since appointment booking. |
| Pre-screening for risk before staff visit the clinic | Risk of encountering somebody who has the virus | · Staff to complete pre-screening questionnaire prior to returning after lockdown and must inform us of any changes in circumstances in future.
· Twice weekly lateral flow testing for all employees provided and for all self employed supported |
| Confirmed cases of COVID 19 amongst staff or patients? | Outbreak of cases | · Compile a list of people who attended the studio on the same day and follow the guideline of the NHS test and trace service.
· SPOC nominated for PHE as Caz Hibbs |
| Travel to and from the clinic
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Risk of encountering somebody who has the virus | · Ask clients to not arrive more than 5 mins early for their appointment to minimise use of communal areas in the studio.
· Ask staff to minimise use of public transport where possible. |
| Entering and exiting the building | Risk of encountering people or surfaces that have been in contact with the virus. | · All staff to change into work clothing at the clinic and place work clothing in a separate cloth bag to take home for washing; unless they have driven directly to work with no contact with others along the way
· Fresh clean uniform to be worn daily. · Plastic lidded boxes provided for both staff and patient personal belongings · Door locked so that we can control all people entering and exiting the building. · All patients given hand sanitiser upon entering the building. |
| Reception and common areas | Risk of encountering people or surfaces that have been in contact with the virus. | · Clients asked to not arrive early to reduce use of waiting areas.
· Additional rooms have been made available for reception to minimise crowding · Markings on the floor to easily enable social distancing where possible. · Signage to encourage hand washing and clearly show the way to the bathrooms and exit to minimise interaction with staff. · Masks are still mandatory unless somebody is medically unable to wear one and it has been pre-arranged and considered · Staggered treatment times to minimise the chance of multiple people being in reception or waiting areas at the same time. |
| Social/physical distancing measures in place | Risk of spread | · Social distance guidance to staff
· Minimal people in the building, 2m apart and not crossing paths · Markers on floors. · Staff must maintain social distancing as much as possible and wear face coverings. If close contact is likely for a prolonged time |
| Face to face consultations (in-clinic room) | Risk of spread |
· One parent/guardian only with visits for children. · Patients to attend appointment alone unless a chaperone is required. · Chaperones also required to complete pre-screening questionnaire. |
| Table 2b Hygiene measures
We have assessed the following areas of risk in our practice and put in place the following heightened hygiene measures |
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| Area of Risk | Description of risk | Mitigating action |
| Increased sanitisation and cleaning | Contact with asymptomatic cases | · Clinic rooms cleaned between each patient – couch, pillows, door handles, equipment, chairs, table, or desk if present.
· Desks, phones, keyboards, mouse and other reception surfaces, doors and door handles, chairs, bathroom surfaces, door locks, toilet seat, toilet flush, taps, light switches, banisters, high traffic walls to be cleaned regularly throughout the day (where possible, between each use) · Keep doors open where possible to minimise the need to touch things. · Professional cleaners to attend twice a week. · Single towel or blanket per client, option of additional cotton face hole cover, safely bundled and put in lidded laundry at the end of the treatment and washed at 60’ as soon as possible after. |
| Aeration of rooms | · Sparing use of fans and other air-circulation mechanisms, not pointing at the ‘breathing zone’ or sweeping
· Window available in each room for aeration as needed between each client |
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| Staff hand hygiene measures | · Bare below the elbow/hand washing before and after patients with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including forearms
· Use of hand sanitiser gel and/or use of gloves during treatment · Plastic storage boxes and box stools in the basement office available for use to place belongings in while on shift. · Staff to ensure any food items are either bagged or in the storage containers provided in the fridge or in their bags and to wash up any cutlery used as soon as possible after use · All kitchen facilities and surfaces to be sanitised before and after use by staff. · Hand washing poster reminders in every bathroom · Staff to wash hands as part of the surface cleaning routine that is carried out periodically throughout the day. |
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| Respiratory and cough hygiene | · Communication of cough hygiene measures for staff and patients with ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ posters and hand washing reminders.
· Provision of disposable, single-use tissues, and foot pedal operated waste bins. · Hand hygiene facilities available for patients, visitors, and staff. |
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| Cleaning rota/regimes | · Time to change covers and clean treatment room between each patient.
· Scheduled time for staff to clean treatment room, reception area, corridors, floors and bathrooms at the end of each shift |
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| Table 3. Personal Protective Equipment: Detail here your policy for use and disposal of PPE | |
| Clinicians will wear the following in line with government guidelines for close contact services. | · face covering (to be replaced every 4 hours, or after removal)
Disposable gloves and aprons will also be made available to all staff. Their use is at the discretion of the therapist, client and their own risk assessments |
| Reception staff will wear the following PPE | · Non-surgical, 3-ply face coverings to be worn at all times. Cloth masks to be washed at 60 degrees, along with the rest of the work wear at the end of each shift. |
| Patients will be asked to wear the following | · Masks must be worn in communal areas unless client is medically unable to do so; to be agreed with the therapist prior to their visit with special arrangements made |
| Disposal of protective equipment | · All cleaning cloths to be placed in the wash after single use and put on a 60-degree wash cycle.
· All uniform and cloth masks to be placed directly in the wash upon returning home from work. · Any disposable protective equipment must be placed in refuse sacks and left for 72 hours before being put out for collection. |
| Table 4. Communicating with patients: Detail here how you will advise patients of measures that we have taken to ensure their safety and the policies that have been put in place in our clinic | |
| Publishing your updated clinic policy | · Publish on social media
· Print and make available in the studio · Provide as part of appointment confirmation emails · Available on website
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| Information on how you have adapted practice to mitigate risk | · Updating of website and via your social media accounts
· Email to your client base
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| Pre-appointment screening calls | · Pre-screening questionnaire to be completed before visit, either via booking system form or on the phone.
· If payment has not been completed 48 hours beforehand, the appointment will be cancelled, and the customer will need to contact us to reschedule.
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| Information for patients displayed in the clinic | · Door notices advising of no entry without booking, studio policy on safety measures and asking anyone with symptoms not to enter the building.
· Door notice to request anyone who knocks, does so on the laminated sign so we can keep it clean. · Notices on other public health measures e.g. hand washing/sanitising/Catch-it, bin it, kill it · PPE info poster for staff |
| Other patient communications | Follow up email to ask them to please let us know if they develop symptoms within 7 days of their visit.
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