Awesome Walls
COVID Risk Assessment
Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called Coronavirus. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, severe or fatal.
This is a Risk Assessment for dealing with the current Covid-19 situation at Awesome Walls Climbing Centre. We are doing all that we can to keep the Awesome Walls family (staff and customers) as safe as possible. To keep up to date with HSE advice to workplaces in this fast-changing situation visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
We are also working with the Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC) and UK Active to ensure the safety of everyone who centres one of our centres.
| Hazard | People Affected | Controls | Further Controls |
| The spread of Covid-19 Coronavirus through poor hand hygiene. |
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Hand Washing
Wearing of Gloves Customers will be encouraged to sanitise hands regularly instead of wearing gloves. |
Employees and customers to be reminded regularly to wash their hands for 20 seconds with water and soap and the importance of proper drying with disposable towels. Where this is not possible sanitising stations will be available throughout the climbing centres. Also reminded to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues – Follow Catch it, Bin it, Kill it and to avoid touching face, eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. Tissues will be made available throughout the climbing centres. Encourage staff to report any problems and carry out skin checks as part of a skin surveillance programme To help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) reminding everyone of the public health advice – https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus Posters, leaflets and other materials are available for display. Staff to be reminded that wearing gloves is not a substitute for good hand washing. |
| Getting or spreading coronavirus by not cleaning surfaces, equipment and workstations |
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Cleaning There will be frequently cleaning and disinfecting of objects and surfaces that are touched regularly particularly in areas of high use such as door handles, light switches, reception area using appropriate cleaning products and methods. Staff will be trained in how to put on and remove personal protective equipment (PPE) that is used for normal work hazards and how to keep it clean. We will identify where we can reduce the contact of people with surfaces, eg by leaving open doors. Staff will use the guidance on cleaning and hygiene during the coronavirus outbreak We will identify surfaces that are frequently touched and by many people (often common areas), eg handrails, door handles, vehicle door handles (inside and outside), shared equipment etc and specify the frequency and level of cleaning and by whom Training will be given on how to put on and remove personal protective equipment (PPE) that is used for normal work hazards and how to keep it clean Sharing work equipment will be avoided by allocating it personally or by put cleaning regimes in place to clean between each user, where possible. All hire equipment will be cleaned between use where possible. Harnesses will be hired out on a rotational system to allow adequate down time between use. Places where people contact surfaces have been identified and where possible, we will reduce the contact of people with surfaces, eg by leaving open doors. Other areas that will need cleaning to prevent the spread of coronavirus such as rest areas and welfare facilities, will be cleaned regularly. The correct cleaning products that are needed (eg surface wipes, detergents and water etc) will be sourced and staff trained on where they should be used, eg wipes in vehicles, water and detergent on work surfaces etc… We will keep surfaces clear to make it easier to clean and reduce the likelihood of contaminating objects. Bins will be emptied more regularly. Climbing safety equipment holds and climbing surfaces are not practical to clean between use. Instead, everyone will be reminded of good hand hygiene and the importance of handwashing/sanitising before and after every climb. Awesome Walls staff must wear clean clothes/uniform for every shift. |
Areas of high risk has been highlighted and rigorous checks will be carried out by managers to ensure that the necessary procedures are being followed. We will also: Centre managers and duty managers will monitor and supervise to make sure controls are being followed, ie are implementing the cleaning regimes implemented Staff have been provided with information telling who needs to clean and when. Instruction and training have been provided to people who need to clean. Include information on:
Levels of cleaning products will be monitored and replenished as necessary. |
| Getting or spreading coronavirus through close proximity to others and in common use high traffic areas such as corridors, restrooms, toilet facilities, entry/exit points to facilities, stairs, changing rooms and other communal areas. |
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Social Distancing Social Distancing -Reducing the number of persons in any area to comply with the 2-metre (6.5 foot) gap recommended by the Public Health Agency https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus Work must be scheduled and include start & finish times/shift patterns, to reduce the number of staff on-site at any one time. Schedule jobs so work is carried out in different areas of the climbing centre. All jobs should be carried out in a way that ensures social distancing. Where social distancing is not possible, face masks must be worn. Conference calls to be used instead of face to face meetings. Ensuring sufficient rest breaks for staff. Social distancing also to be adhered to on lunch breaks and the smoking area. Where possible, there will be one way systems in place on stairs and corridors Face coverings will be required for staff and customers at all times except when eating and drinking or climbing. Capacity limits will be in place for all areas of the climbing centre. This information will be displayed on signs. There will also be an overall capacity for each building. Screens will be in place at reception to protect our staff and customers. Signs will be displayed to remind people to socially distance and wash/sanitise hands regularly.
PPE Public Health guidance on the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) to protect against COVID-19 relates to health care settings. In our centres, individuals are asked to observe social distancing measures and practice good hand hygiene behaviours IF members of staff are working closely, masks should be worn. Face coverings will be required for staff and customers at all times except when eating and drinking or climbing. We request that customers, at all Awesome Walls sites, wear a face-covering, unless climbing, exercising in the gym or to eat and drink. If customers wish to wear a face-covering while climbing and exercising, then please feel free to do so. |
Staff to be reminded daily of the importance of social distancing both in the workplace and outside of it. Management checks to ensure this is adhered to. There will be monitoring and supervision to make sure people are following controls put in place, eg following hygiene procedures, washing hands, following one-way systems, keeping to capacity limits Near-miss reporting will be in place to help identify where controls cannot be followed or people are not doing what they should. Reference https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/face-mask-ppe-rpe-coronavirus.htm |
| Getting or spreading coronavirus by coming into contact with someone carrying the virus. |
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Symptoms of Covid-19 If anyone becomes unwell with a new continuous cough or a high temperature in the workplace they will be sent home and advised to follow the stay at home guidance. Line managers will maintain regular contact with staff members during this time. If advised that a member of staff or public has developed Covid-19 and were recently on our premises (including where a member of staff has visited other workplace premises such as domestic premises), the management team of the workplace will contact the Public Health Authority to discuss the case, identify people who have been in contact with them and will take advice on any actions or precautions that should be taken. https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/ All customers will be required to check-in and out so that we have a record of people that may have been infected. |
Internal communication messages through managers will be carried out regularly to reassure and support employees in a fast-changing situation. Managers will offer support to staff who are affected by Coronavirus or has a family member affected. |
| Mental health suffering as a result of COVID-19. |
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Mental Health Management will promote mental health & wellbeing awareness to staff during the Coronavirus outbreak and will offer whatever support they can to help Reference – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/ |
Regular communication of mental health information and an open-door policy for those who need additional support. |
| Poor workplace ventilation leading to risks of coronavirus spreading |
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We will follow government guidance on heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) We have identified areas of our climbing centres where there is a need for additional ventilation to Fresh air is the preferred way of ventilating so where possible windows and doors (that Additional ventilation will be provided with fans to draw fresh air into the centre if necessary. CO2 levels will not need to be monitored as we will be following UK Active’s guidelines and calculating capacity figures allowing for 9m2 per person (this allows for adequate ventilation). |
Maintain air circulation systems where possible with fans (drawing in fresh air). |
| Increased risk of infection and complications for vulnerable workers |
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We have Identified who in our work force fall into one of the following categories:
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We will monitor this and have put systems in place so staff are notified if they fall into one of these categories, eg they start chemotherapy or are pregnant |
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