Introduction

Covid-19 is a highly infectious respiratory virus spread by breathing in aerosols from an infected person’s coughs, sneezes or breath or by touching a surface contaminated with infected aerosol and subsequently touching your face in the area of the mouth and nostrils. There is some evidence to suggest it can also enter through the eyes. It has been spreading quickly throughout the world due to very low levels of immunity amongst the global population.

COSHH 2002 Regulations require employers to consider how to prevent employees from being exposed to substances hazardous to health. When it is not practicable or possible to eliminate exposure completely, a combination of control measures should be put in place following the 8 generic principles of good practice:-

Minimise emission, release and spread – minimise the number of people in any one place/adhere to social distancing – consider staggered entry and exit times, shift work, working outside of clients’ normal business hours, keep in the same teams, no non-essential visits, drop off points for deliveries/collections, bring own food in to avoid visiting multiple food outlets, hand wash stations at building entry points etc.
Consider routes to exposure – Covid-19 is transmitted via aerosol (inhaled) or via contact with contaminated surfaces and with subsequent entry through the eyes, nose and mouth through touching. Use of masks to combat aerosols in high risk areas, good hygiene control measures such as wiping down surfaces (especially those commonly touched such as kettle handles, PIN pads, delivery PEDs etc, washing hands, wiping down the inside of vehicles/plant etc.
Choose control measures proportionate to the risk – follow the government advice. We don’t work in high-risk areas so face masks are a good option. Standard disposable surgical masks would be acceptable for site visits, low protection but partially effective against sneezes/coughs.
Choose effective control options – social distancing, PPE, minimising human-human proximity, dilution ventilation etc.
Use PPE as the final control option – masks if available, eye protection, disposable gloves.
Review the effectiveness of controls – drop off points adhered to, cleaning stations stocked and used, PPE availability, social distancing workable and being adhered to.
Provide information and training – brief personnel on procedures and expectations.
Ensure new control measures don’t involve new risks that are not controlled – provide hand cream, social support, counselling.

Everard Group have risk assessed their operations and have put the following specific control measures in place. Further detail can be found in an SOP for each group of workers. Employees are briefed on the contents of each SOP and monitored for compliance as they return to work.

Control Measures

ALL

TRAVEL TO WORK

If you have a high temperature or a new persistent cough or are within 14 days of the day when the first member of your household showed symptoms of Covid-19, DO NOT COME TO WORK.

If you can possibly work from home, then stay at home. You will need to do a workstation risk assessment of your home workspace.

Travel to work alone using your own transport.

If you have no option but to share transport, only travel with the same person each day.

Whenever sharing transport; keep the windows open/blower on, don’t face each other, clean the vehicle regularly using gloves and appropriate cleaning products with particular emphasis on handles, controls and other commonly touched areas.

Park clear of other people as much as possible and do not exit your vehicle until the area is clear in order to maintain social distancing at all times.

Arrival/departure times will be staggered if required, to aid social distancing at the start and end of the normal working day.

On arrival wash/sanitise your hands using the hand wash stations or the sanitiser provided.

PPE

Nitrile gloves provide no protection against Covid-19 therefore do not use them instead of hand washing/sanitising.

Use nitrile gloves as you would normally. When removing them, roll them down the hand to turn inside out and dispose of in a covered bin, then wash/sanitise your hands.

Use hand sanitisers that are a minimum of 70% alcohol based.

Use medical face masks and safety spectacles when unavoidable tasks require you to work within 2m of each other.

Use face masks in accordance with the infographic provided.

Dispose of face masks in a lidded bin immediately after use.

DRIVING – GENERAL

Don some gloves, open the vehicle doors for ventilation and wipe down the seating area using a disinfectant wipe paying particular attention to the handles, steering wheel, controls and any other commonly touched areas.

Dispose of the gloves and wipes in the covered bins provided in the warehouse then wash/sanitise your hands.
Maintain good ventilation (keep the windows cracked open/blower on).

Use hand sanitiser before entering and after getting out of the vehicle.

Minimise the need for service stops by taking your own food and drink as far as possible.

When you have finished with the vehicle, wipe down the seating areas as above.

CONTRACTORS/VISITORS

Arrange for only essential work/visits/deliveries to take place.

Brief contractors/visitors on our Covid-19 arrangements and ensure they are followed.

Check that the contractors you are responsible for have adequate preventative measures in place.

HEAD OFFICE

Maintain the recommended 2m social distancing with other occupants at all times.

Only 1 person will be allowed in each of the toilet rooms at one time. Make sure you use the ‘Occupied/Vacant’ sign. Wipe the toilet seat and cubicle door handles with disinfectant wipes before and after use.

Only 3 people will be allowed in the kitchen at one time – 2 waiting in the staging areas whilst 1 prepares drinks or food.

Do not prepare food or make drinks for anyone except yourself.

Wash your hands more frequently than you would do normally (especially after coming into contact with commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, fridge handle, coffee machines etc).

Regularly wipe down commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, fridge handles, coffee machines etc.

Wash your hands before eating or smoking.

Stagger breaks in order to maintain social distancing in the kitchen and consider eating lunch outside or in your car if the kitchen is busy.

Bring your own food and drink in to avoid unnecessary visits to food outlets. Try to bring food which does not require any further preparation.

Keep office windows open to aid dilution ventilation (preferable) or use the air-conditioning system to move air around (least preferable).

Arrange to collect packages/mail etc from the table in the atrium to maintain social distancing from Goods In staff and others.

If you need to sign for anything ask for it to be left on a convenient surface and allow the person to step back whilst you sign.

Wash your hands immediately after signing especially if a tablet style device has been used.

Before using any shared equipment, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe.

STORES

Stick to your normal ways of working, do not compromise safety.

This will mean only one of you working in the “Goods In” office at any one time whilst the other works in stores or the warehouse.

Only 1 person will be allowed in each of the toilet rooms at one time. Make sure you use the ‘Occupied/Vacant’ sign. Wipe the toilet seat and cubicle door handles with disinfectant wipes before and after use.

Only 3 people will be allowed in the kitchen at one time – 2 waiting in the staging areas whilst 1 prepares drinks or food.

Do not prepare food or make drinks for anyone except yourself.

Wash your hands more frequently than you would do normally (especially after coming into contact with commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, plant pallet trucks, fridge handle, coffee machines etc).

Regularly wipe down with a disinfectant wipe commonly touched surfaces such as the counter, bell and door handles, fridge handles, coffee machines etc.

Wash your hands before eating or smoking.

Stagger breaks in order to maintain social distancing in the kitchen and consider eating lunch outside or in your car if the kitchen is busy.

Bring your own food and drink in to avoid unnecessary visits to food outlets. Try to bring food which does not require any further preparation.

Keep doors open to allow a breeze through to achieve dilution ventilation as far as possible.

Before using any shared tools or equipment, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe.

Only workshop personnel will be using the forklifts until further notice.

COLLECTIONS/DELIVERIES

Don’t use the PC next to the counter when there is a delivery or collection, remain 2m clear of the driver.

Leave any packages for collection adjacent to the door.

Tell the driver to leave deliveries and anything requiring a signature on the counter furthest point from the door and to step back adjacent to the door whilst you check and sign for it.

Wash/sanitise your hands immediately after signing especially if using a tablet style device.

Place any packages for office staff on the table in the atrium and anything for the warehouse staff on the shelves warehouse side of the door then phone or shout to say it is there.

FRIDAY COLLECTIONS

See “Driving General” above.

Maintain social distancing at all times.

When a signature is required, ask that the delivery note is placed somewhere convenient and that the person steps back whilst you sign.

Sanitise your hands immediately after signing especially if using a tablet style device.

Take a face mask in case social distancing is not being adhered to at the collection point.

LOADING

Install Engineers will be unloading/loading their vans on a Friday as far as possible. Workshop staff will unload and load the trailers.

Vans will have staggered return times so they can reverse into the nearest roller door to unload/load. Leave any materials for loading clearly marked in the area next to the first roller door (having cleared it) for collection by the engineers.

Supervise who is taking what whilst maintaining 2m social distancing.

Install vans should have been left loaded and the cabs wiped down by the Install engineers.

For any residual loading (one or 2 items only), wash/sanitise your hands and don a pair of nitrile gloves.

Load the items into that particular van.

Remove and dispose of the nitrile gloves in the lidded bin, wash/sanitise your hands.

Repeat for each van. This process should be kept to an absolute minimum to help prevent any potential cross-contamination.

If a lot of items have been missed, leave a prominent note of what is required under the windscreen wiper with directions on where to get it from on Monday morning.

WORKSHOP/WAREHOUSE

Stick to your normal RAMS, do not compromise safety.

Maintain social distancing with other operatives and between yourselves as far as possible. This includes when using toilets and the kitchen – only 1 person should be in the kitchen at any one time.

Keep the time when you do have to work within 2m of each other to an absolute minimum.

If you do have to work within 2m of each other, remain as far apart as possible, avoid physical contact, keep your faces as far apart as possible, don’t sneeze, cough or breathe over each other and wear a face mask and safety spectacles.

Dispose of face masks and nitrile gloves in the covered bins provided. Tie off the bin liner and dispose of daily.

Do not prepare food or make drinks for anyone except yourself.

Wash your hands more frequently than you would do normally (especially after coming into contact with commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, plant controls, fridge handle, coffee machines etc).

Regularly wipe down with a disinfectant wipe commonly touched surfaces such as the counter, bell and door handles, fridge handles, coffee machines etc.

Wash your hands before eating or smoking.

Stagger breaks in order to maintain social distancing in the kitchen and consider eating lunch outside or in your car if the kitchen is busy.

Bring your own food and drink in to avoid unnecessary visits to food outlets. Try to bring food which does not require any further preparation.

Keep doors open to allow a breeze through to achieve dilution ventilation as far as possible.

Before using any shared tools or equipment, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe

DO NOT go into “Goods In” or up to the Office. If you require anything from stores that can’t be collected maintaining 2m separation, phone and ask for it to be left on the shelving warehouse side of the stores’ door.

Conversely, when anything is delivered for someone else, leave it in the area adjacent to the Easterly warehouse door and phone the recipient who will come and collect it.

Only workshop personnel will be using the forklifts. In order to further reduce the chances of cross contamination, try to stick to one operative per forklift as far as possible. Wipe down the control surfaces with a disinfectant wipe each time you first use it.

Install engineers will be unloading/loading their vans on a Friday. Workshop staff will unload and load the trailers.

COLLECTIONS/DELIVERIES

When accepting deliveries or loading, maintain a 2m distance from the driver.

Tell the driver to leave anything requiring a signature somewhere convenient and then step back whilst you sign.

Sanitise your hands immediately after signing especially if using a tablet style device.

FRIDAY COLLECTIONS

See “Driving General” above.

Maintain social distancing at all times.

When a signature is required, ask that the delivery note is placed somewhere convenient and that the person steps back whilst you sign.

Sanitise your hands immediately after signing especially if using a tablet style device.

Take a face mask just in case 2m social distancing is not being adhered to at the collection point.

STOWING VANS

Install vans should have been left loaded and the cabs wiped down by the Install engineers.

Wash/sanitise your hands and don a pair of nitrile gloves.

Stow the vans/trailers taking into account any outstanding loading requirements, which vans are going out first on Monday etc. Install Team arrivals and departures will be staggered.

On completion, remove and dispose of the nitrile gloves in the bin, wash/sanitise your hands.

INSTALLATION ENGINEERS

LOADING

Team arrivals will be staggered so two teams will share a 30-minute slot to arrive, check their load and depart.

Lead Engineer is to check/secure the load.

Second Engineer is to open the van doors for ventilation and wipe down the cab using a disinfectant wipe paying particular attention to the handles, steering wheel, controls and any other commonly touched areas.

Dispose of gloves and wipes in one of the covered bins adjacent to each roller door then wash/sanitise your hands.

WORKING ON SITE

Stick to your normal RAMS, do not compromise safety.

Maintain social distancing with other operatives and between yourselves as far as possible. This includes when using toilets etc.

Keep the time when you do have to work within 2m of each other to an absolute minimum.

If you do have to work within 2m of each other, remain as far apart as possible, avoid physical contact, keep your faces as far apart as possible, don’t sneeze, cough or breathe over each other and wear a face mask and safety spectacles.

Wash your hands more frequently than you would do normally (especially after coming into contact with commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, plant controls etc).

Wash your hands before eating or smoking.

Don’t use canteens/communal areas and any enclosed areas that are crowded/poorly ventilated.

Use stairs instead of lifts.

When accepting deliveries, maintain a 2m distance from the driver.

Tell the driver to leave anything requiring a signature somewhere convenient and then step back whilst you sign.

Wash your hands immediately after signing especially if using a tablet style device.

When accepting delivery of a forklift or MEWP, wipe the cab/controls down with a disinfectant wipe then wash/sanitise your hands before climbing in.

Before using any shared tools or equipment wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation should have been cleared and aired before arrival.

On arrival, wipe down commonly touched surfaces with a disinfectant wipe and open the windows to let some air through.

Leave windows in the vent position as much as possible.

Maintain social distancing as far as possible.

Put the lid down when flushing the loo after No.2s.

Keep visits to supermarkets to a minimum.

Prepare food and drink to take to site to avoid using canteens etc.

Do not prepare food or make drinks for anyone except yourself.

RETURN TO THE YARD

Only liaise with the install admin team or other office staff remotely (email/phone).

Do not enter the Stores area or go up to the Office.

Agree a return time with the Installation Manager with the aim of having no more than 2 teams unloading/loading at any one time.

Before entering the yard, sanitise your hands.

Maintain social distancing from other operatives at all times and within your own team as far as possible.

Keep the time when you do have to work within 2m of each other to an absolute minimum.

If you do have to work within 2m of each other, remain as far apart as possible, avoid physical contact, keep your faces as far apart as possible, don’t sneeze, cough or breathe over each other and wear a face mask and safety spectacles.

Park the van/trailer clear of other operatives and remove personal belongings.

Unhitch the trailer and unstrap the trailer load if safe to do so but leave any forklift driving to the warehouse staff.

Unload and reload the back of van in turn by reversing into the Easterly roller door. Your new load will be ready for you in the area adjacent to the roller door and one of the Stores personnel in attendance for liaison.

Park the van in the yard, wipe down the cab as above ready for the warehouse staff to stow it in the warehouse.

SERVICE ENGINEERS

TRAVEL TO WORK

Wash/sanitise your hands immediately before leaving the house.

Wipe down any van handles/surfaces likely to have been touched by the in-van service before getting in the van.

Minimise the need for service stops, shop and café visits by taking your own food and drink as far as possible and filling the fuel tank only when required.

Use hand sanitiser before entering and after getting out of the vehicle.

ARRIVAL ON SITE

Park clear of other people as much as possible and do not exit your vehicle until the area is clear in order to maintain social distancing at all times.

Follow any client requirements passed via your Service Co-ordinator (parking arrangements, arrival times etc).

Use any handwash stations provided/sanitise your hands before entering.

Maintain social distancing with others present at all times.

WORKING ON SITE

Stick to your normal RAMS, do not compromise safety.

Maintain social distancing with other operatives. This includes when using toilets etc.

Wash your hands more frequently than you would do normally (especially after coming into contact with commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, plant controls etc).

Wash your hands before eating or smoking.

Don’t use canteens/communal areas and any enclosed areas that are crowded/poorly ventilated.

Use stairs instead of lifts.

When a signature is required, leave whatever needs signing on a convenient surface and step back, allow the signee to sign and then collect the paperwork/tablet. Wash your hands after handling and wipe down the tablet screen with a wipe.

If working as a 2-man team, keep the time when you do have to work within 2m of each other to an absolute minimum.

If you do have to work within 2m of each other, remain as far apart as possible, avoid physical contact, keep your faces as far apart as possible, don’t sneeze, cough or breathe over each other and wear a face mask and safety spectacles.

When accepting deliveries, maintain a 2m distance from the driver.

Tell the driver to leave anything requiring a signature somewhere convenient and then step back whilst you sign.

Wash your hands immediately after signing especially if using a tablet style device.

When accepting delivery of a MEWP, wipe the hand holds/controls down with a disinfectant wipe then wash/sanitise your hands before climbing in.

Before using any shared tools or equipment wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe.

RETURNING HOME

Before getting out of the van, sanitise your hands and wipe down the van cab paying particular attention to handles and vehicle controls (i.e. anything you are likely to have touched).

Risk Assessment

Any person found to be disregarding the control measures identified below will be immediately removed from the work area. Failure to adhere to this risk assessment is a disciplinary offence.

Likelihood (L) Process or Item	Severity of Injury (S)	Risk Level (R)	Consequence
5 = Very high	5 = catastrophic (Death / permanent disability)	Risk level = L x S	Likelihood x Severity gives results and determines if controls are required
4 = High	4 = critical (Serious injury – 3+ days absence)	13 – 25	Unacceptable, significant risk – must be eliminated or moved to a lower level
3 = Medium	3 = serious (Up to 3 days absence)	9 – 12	Undesirable – must be avoided if reasonably practicable
2 = Small	2 = marginal (Requires first aid)	3 – 8	Acceptable – can be accepted provided that risk is managed
1 = Very small	1 = negligible (No treatment required)	1 – 2	Negligible – ensure risk level is maintained
0 = Removed	0 = removed	0	Risk removed

No.	Hazard/Activity	Applies to:	Risk Identified	Initial	Control measures to be taken	Final
33.	Covid-19 Virus	All Operators	Serious illness/death due to infection by the Coronavirus.	2 x 5=10	See separate SOPs. Minimise the time social distancing can’t be maintained to an absolute minimum. Use of face masks/eye protection when social distancing cannot be maintained. Increased hygiene measures. Increased use of mechanical lifting. Avoid installing commercial exhaust reels, manually standing up lift posts and reel stanchions, 2 man lifts etc. Remain in same 2-man team. Use of dilution ventilation as much as possible. Increased hygiene measures.	1×5=5