StadiaCare COVID-19 Policy

INTRODUCTION
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a caused by the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease is highly infectious and there is presently no effective treatment for the virus. The majority of persons infected show few or no symptoms. Some persons require hospitalisation and ventilation to support breathing. Male patients over the age of 60 years, and persons having underlying health conditions including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and chronic lung disease are at greater risk of severe illness. There is also evidence of increased risk to individuals from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds.
The UK government and Public Health England have instigated social distancing requirements and restrictions on gatherings, travel and quarantine measures to limit the spread of the virus in the community and reduce the burden on the national health services.
These restrictions are being regularly reviewed in the light of epidemiological and scientific evidence and some restrictions are being eased presently to permit the gradual and controlled resumption of normal activities. The UK government has published guidance to enable businesses to resume operations under strict controls.
Office Care accepts its responsibilities to observe regulations and guidance published by the UK Government, and will ensure full compliance with client COVID-19 preventative measures to minimise transmission risk both within and outside the workplace.

SCOPE
This policy relates to the management of Covid-19 risk in areas under the control of Office Care and the activities of cleaning operatives within client premises. The purpose of this policy is to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 with respect to COVID-19.

LEGISLATION AND CODE OF PRACTICE
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

UK Government: Working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

COVID-19 requirements are subject to regular review and amendment in the light of emerging information and local/national and international issues. The policy and associated risk assessments will be reviewed as required.

Nothing in this document replaces, reduces, or affects in any way the obligations imposed on the business by statute and/or common law in the fields of occupational health and/or health and safety. Office Care will ensure ongoing compliance with all statutory requirements during and beyond the current situation.

COVID-19 Policy

It is the policy of StadiaCare to:

Observe and follow guidance published by the UK Government with respect to the risks and precautions associated with COVID-19. This applies to any official local, national, and international rules which might be implemented.
Refer to and keep up to date with guidance published by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to Covid-19 risks and precautions
Co-operate and comply with all client requirements as may be required to manage COVID-19 risk within workplaces attended by Office Care or Stadia Care employees provided they are in line with UK Government requirements and have been determined by a competent person through risk assessment.
Assign Martin Booth, Managing Director, as COVID-19 Manager responsible for directing the Company’s response to COVID-19 and ongoing communication with all stakeholders including management, staff, employees, and clients.
Appoint Nigel Harley CMIOSH as a competent person in Office Care COVID-19 risk management.
Complete suitable and sufficient Office Care/Stadia Care task and activity risk assessments to identify measures necessary to minimise the spread of COVID-19 within client workplaces. These assessments will be subject to regular review in the light of developing official guidance.
Liaise with insurers before return to work ensuring all operations are approved and adequately covered by insurance.
Request employees to opt-in to work undertaken in line with this operational policy. There is no compulsion to opt-in, but this will be required before return to work is permitted.
Provide suitable instruction to employees in the risks and precautions associated with COVID-19, and in the Office Care operational policy herewith.
Have regard to those persons classified as clinically vulnerable or extremely clinically vulnerable as defined by PHE, including persons of this nature living with employee. This may require modification of controls or, in the case of clinically extremely vulnerable, the exclusion of employees from the workplace based on elevated risk to them or their contacts. Specific measures will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Require all employees to undertake a confidential one-to-one health status consultation with their line manager before return to work, and as required thereafter.
Decide on and communicate safe arrangements for employees to travel to and from their workplace of employees and arrange for staff to submit a daily health status questionnaire.
Prohibit access to employees who are known to be COVID-19 symptomatic or have failed a COVID-19 test which may be requested by a client as part of their operational requirements.
Isolate, in line with client arrangements, any member of staff who might exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, prior to return home for self-isolation and testing via the NHS Test and Trace service.
Ensure that arrangements are in place for the effective social distancing of employees at a minimum distance of 2 metres reducing to 1 metre when compensatory measures are in place, in line with current UK guidance and specific client requirements based on risk assessment.
Introduce adequate cleaning and disinfection regimes based on guidance published by PHE for non-healthcare settings. Cleaning standards will be monitored by site supervisors and will be overseen by the COVID-19 Manager.
Use cleaning materials compliant with COSHH requirements and effective against COVID-19 virus, in line with published PHE cleaning of non-healthcare premises.
Provide and require the wearing of, necessary, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimise COVID-19 transmission between persons within the workplace. PPE must be compatible with other PPE worn to prevent general safety risks and be put on, stored, and disposed of properly as required.