Contents
- Control Measures: Colleagues in vulnerable groups
- Control Measures: Commuting into offices
- Control Measures: CQC Work areas
- Control Measures: Meeting Rooms
- Control Measures: Communal areas
- Control Measures: Lone working
- Control Measures: Emergency Arrangements
- Control Measures: First Aid
- Control Measures: Hygiene – handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets
- Wellbeing
| Hazard | The transmission of COVID-19 in offices, which then endangers the health of those in the workplace. |
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Who might be harmed and how? |
Staff, visitors, contractors, facilities staff and anyone who visits offices is at risk and might be infected by the virus through transmission from infected individuals. |
| Scope | The purpose of this risk assessment is to follow the Government guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-contact-centres and to use this framework to identify hazards and control measures to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in Offices. The scope of this risk assessment is the areas within Offices occupied by HRA. The landlord is responsible for undertaking a risk assessment of the common areas. |
Control Measures
100% capacity offered in offices with gradual phased return to working in offices
Control Measures: Colleagues in vulnerable groups
Coronavirus (COVID-19) can make anyone seriously ill but for some people the risk is higher including those who have underlying health conditions; new and expectant mothers; ethnic minorities, vulnerable family members; employees with personal or emotional worries regarding working in the office. Increased exposure to COVID-19 leading to ill health symptoms of varying degrees, possible hospitalisation or possible fatality. Increased anxiety and stress
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
| From Monday 31 January 2022 offices will be open and all desks available for booking. Attendance is voluntary and no attendance should be mandatory over the winter. Managers and staff should discuss any issues to confirm normal availability – whether in a vulnerable group, or whether there are other personal concerns about returning to the office – for example travelling, general anxiety etc. Staff must not go into the office if feeling unwell in anyway and should report to their line manager |
The COVID-19 age calculator, a self-risk assessment tool, is available to all colleagues to help inform their decisions. This risk assessment can be used as part of the discussion between the individual and line manager to help identify any potential concerns however the content of the age calculator does not need to be shared. When booking a desk colleagues should consider their personal risk assessment and ensure that attendance doesn’t present a significant risk. Those wishing to source the Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) can source this through the government website. HRA strongly encourage staff get vaccinated, follow government guidance and undertake LFTs prior to coming into the office. Staff members should discuss any concerns with their manager. |
Control Measures: Commuting into office
Increased exposure to COVID-19 on crowded public transport leading to ill health symptoms of varying degrees, possible hospitalisation or possible fatality.
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
| Staff are asked to consider wearing face coverings when travelling to work via public transport. It is individual responsibility to follow current governance guidance in crowded spaces. |
Masks are available in all HRA offices if staff forget or lose their own personal masks. Staff are able to travel outside of peak hours if appropriate. All staff are encouraged to get vaccinated and use the NHS COVID-19 app. |
Control Measures: Work Areas
Increased exposure to COVID-19 leading to ill health symptoms of varying degrees, possible hospitalisation or possible fatality. Increased anxiety and stress
Objective: To maintain social distancing between individuals when they are at their workstations.
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
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To give further reassurance, it is expected that colleagues will wear a face mask when moving around the office (unless exempt) i.e. entering and leaving work; making tea/coffee; comfort breaks etc. It is expected that staff will also maintain the 1m+ distance wherever possible. Masks can be removed while seated at your workstation or in a meeting. |
Face masks will be provided in the office. Floor signage will remain – this must be followed at all times. Colleagues must follow the safe use guidance below • wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand-sanitiser before putting a face mask on, and after removing it • when wearing a face mask, avoid touching your face or face covering, as you could contaminate them with germs from your hands • change your face mask if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it • continue to wash your hands regularly • dispose of used face masks in rubbish bins provided practise social distancing wherever possible Those colleagues feeling anxious about returning to our offices should be confident that these controls remain in place. |
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Layout reviewed and processes to allow people to work further apart from each other. It is advised to sit in a zigzag fashion where space allows. Where offices have a one-way system in place, everyone should follow. |
Staff are encouraged to leave a gap between themselves and their colleagues when working at work-stations. |
| Access to offices will be restricted to the number of workstations at each location. | Book a desk before coming to the office to help us manage availability and numbers attending – you can do this through Matrix for all offices. |
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Staff must use the desk they have booked to use. All desks will be cleaned daily. Staff are asked not to change desks during the day. If a change of desk is needed then staff are asked to clean keyboards, mice, chair arms, controls, surfaces, and desk before moving. |
Cleaning materials are provided to allow staff to clean their area if they need to move to a different workstation during the day. All staff are encouraged to use the desk they have been booked and not to use desks that haven’t been booked. We will monitor occupancy on a daily basis. |
| Handwashing, for at least 20 seconds, should be frequent throughout the day and particularly after touching surfaces. |
Soap and hot water available in all toilet and kitchen areas. Sanitiser available in various areas on all floors. Notices throughout the office spaces to remind colleagues about hand washing. |
| Staff will use electronic documents rather than paperwork. | Access to printers removed from all offices except Manchester. Cleaning supplies provided in the print room in Manchester. |
| All offices reviewed with regard to ventilation – to ensure spaces are appropriately ventilated and to identify areas that are poorly ventilated so that action can be taken. | All colleagues to read and agree to this risk assessment before getting approval from Paula Myers. |
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London, Nottingham, Newcastle and Bristol in place. Manchester report received and recommended actions being implemented. In the meantime staff numbers will be monitored to understand current demand. Offices where windows can be opened (Newcastle and Manchester) staff are encouraged to open windows when attending the office and to close them when leaving at the end of the day. |
Control Measures: Meeting Rooms
Objective: To reduce transmission due to face-to-face meetings and maintain social distancing in meetings.
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
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To help manage capacity and ensure rooms are clean, meeting rooms will only be available to those who have booked via the Matrix booking system Meeting room occupancy rules must not be exceeded. Doors to be left open to increase air flow (where possible). Meeting room desks and chairs to be wiped down after use. |
There will be 100% occupancy in meeting rooms however meetings are encouraged to be on Teams unless social distancing can be maintained. Meeting room guidance produced and cleaning products available in meeting room. |
| Smaller pods, huddle areas or breakout areas are available and social distancing encouraged. | Staff encouraged to read this risk assessment prior to using offices. |
Control Measures: Communal Areas
Objective: To reduce transmission when accessing communal areas.
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
| When negotiating common areas in the building landlord signage and instructions must be followed, including pinch-points. | Colleagues to follow landlord requirements within individual offices. Individual requirements for each office summarised and available on the intranet. |
| Staff must use the hand sanitiser provided on arrival and prior to exiting the building. | To be provided by landlord and be clearly visible. |
| Wherever possible staff should use the stairs to access and egress the upper floors. | In line with landlord requirements. |
| If using the lift, ensure landlord’s guidance is followed and maximum occupancy not exceeded. | In line with landlord requirements – masks should be worn in lifts and moving around building. |
| Sanitise hands on arrival at desk | Hand sanitiser available on all floors. Signage at entry to floors. |
| Waste disposal | Large recycle bins provided to every office. |
Control Measures: Lone Working
Increased risk of being unable to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency.
| Control Measure Detail | How is it achieved |
| Staff must book a desk in matrix before attending in office. | Managers must make arrangements to check in regularly with staff to ensure they are safe and well, either by IM or by call – keep in touch time (three times per days). |
| Staff must let their line manager know when they are going into the building and when they have left the building. | Information provided to staff. |
| Hygiene/cross contamination | Even if they are alone, staff should continue to follow COVID-19 procedures to reduce the risk of cross contamination. |
Control Measures: Emergency Arrangements
Inadequate emergency arrangements due to lack of staff on site and social distancing measure
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
| Staff with Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) will not be able to access the upper floors until adequate arrangements can be made to safely evacuate. Those with PEEPs to discuss with Paula Myers to ensure that these are still supportable over the summer. |
Individual risk assessment to be carried out. When desk booking staff are asked to inform Paula Myers about PEEP and requirements. Paula Myers to determine how this is deliverable. |
| All staff to be vigilant and if you discover a fire raise the alarm immediately and leave the building. |
Fire notices displayed throughout building. Quick guide in office guide on intranet. |
| DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THE FIRE. | |
| If the fire evacuation alarm is activated staff must leave the building by the nearest available exit immediately. There is no need to follow social distancing, evacuating the building in an emergency is important. Staff will follow the fire safety measures. They will be notified whether it is safe to return to the office. | Following evacuation notices and information disseminated to managers for distribution. Agreement to adhere to this assessment when booking desk. |
| Fire Marshalls – Due to the reduced capacity within the office, the most senior member of staff on the floor will ensure the floor is cleared before exiting the building and will advise fire service or fire lead for landlord that their floor is clear. |
Senior member of staff to inform Paula Myers as soon as it is safe to do so. Staff notified via internal communications. Where Facilities Management are available, they will ensure floors are cleared during an emergency evacuation. |
| Colleagues are reminded to keep mobile devices turned on to be contactable during an emergency/incident. | |
| Emergency plans reviewed at each office. | |
| Consider emergency arrangements for lone working within offices. Colleagues must make themselves aware of the evacuation process for each office. | Regular checks with management throughout the day. |
Control Measures: First Aid Arrangements
Objective: To keep the workplace clean and prevent transmission by touching contaminated surfaces.
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
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Staff must not come into the office if they feel at all unwell. If staff feel unwell while in the office, they should notify their manager and then go home immediately. If staff need urgent medical attention or minor first aid, they should contact reception. |
Process agreed with reception. |
| Ensure colleagues are aware of who the First Aiders are. Due to the reduce number of staff in the office, there may or may not be a first aider available on site. |
Estates have reviewed current list of trained First Aiders Training to be refreshed where required. All offices other than Manchester also have access to service provided by building. |
| Ensure first aid kit provisions are adequate for current climate/environment. | Appointed persons to carry out usual content checks and date checks, and to add gloves and masks to first aid kits. |
Control Measures: Kitchen/Shower Hygiene – handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets, showers
Objective: To help everyone keep good hygiene through the working day.
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
| Using signs and posters to build awareness of good handwashing technique, the need to increase handwashing frequency and avoid touching face. | Posters are up in toilets and other key areas to advise on hand washing. |
| Providing hand sanitiser in multiple locations in addition to washrooms. | Hand sanitisers are available in all office areas. Relook at location of hand sanitisers and determine from amount of people attending office if more will be required. |
| Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets and showers to ensure they are kept clean and social distancing is achieved as much as possible. |
Frequency of all surface cleaning in toilets & tea points increased in addition to the full evening clean. Positioning of usage signage varies depending on type of the facilities. As a general principle, there will be no more than two people in multi occupancy facilities. To ensure compliance with this, washbasins, cubicles and urinals will be closed off to lower the number of people able to use each toilet block. Appropriate signage to be placed both outside, (for single toilets with vestibules) and inside the washroom for the remaining toilets. |
| Enhancing cleaning for busy areas. | Each person to keep their specific area clean and tidy with cleaning products provided. Each area has its own wipes on desks, also in meeting rooms. |
| Where possible, providing paper towels as an alternative to hand dryers in handwashing facilities. | Paper towels are provided in toilets – ensure replenishment of towels. |
| Maximum occupancy levels will be shown in the area of the toilets, kitchens etc and floor signage provided for distancing. | Signage in place. Where more than one person can access, 1m distance must be maintained where possible. |
| Kitchen will be cleaned regularly. Staff to wipe down handles (microwave, fridge, zip tap, cupboards etc.) prior to and after use. |
Cleaning products and paper towels located in kitchen along with signage on use. Colleagues advised of requirement to provide own cups etc. in updated guidance. |
| If someone presents with COVID-19 symptoms, a deep clean of the area will be carried out and track and trace guidelines followed. | All colleagues advised not to attend if feeling at all unwell. |
Stress and Mental Health
Objective: To ensure staff are supported during this pandemic
| Control Measure Detail | How it is achieved |
| Regular keep in touch calls/meetings planned. Occupational Health referral available if required. Encourage everyone to talk openly about how they’re feeling. Resources available on wellbeing pages on intranet. Everyone encouraged to take regular breaks and to take annual leave. |
Information promoted via Wellbeing Group and intranet. Stress risk assessment available on Stay Safe at Work pages. Wellbeing Reps in all teams and regular wellbeing meetings taking place. Regular wellbeing activities encouraged. Manager stress risk assessment training available and stress risk assessment for individuals briefing planned. |