Policy on controlling the risks of infectious diseases in the workplace (produced in line with government Guidance ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings Updated 12 May 2020’ as well as RIDDOR Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak – a short guide.

Introduction
All employees may be at risk of infection, or spreading infection, especially if their role brings them into contact with blood or bodily fluids like urine, faeces or vomit. Such substances may contain micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses which can be spread if staff do not take adequate precautions. Also, at risk of spreading infection are those involved in food preparation and handling. It is therefore important that strict hygiene precautions are observed.

Our rules on controlling the risk of infectious diseases must always be followed. However, there may be times when it is more important than ever that they are strictly followed for example, during the outbreak of a disease such as the Coronavirus.

The company has put the following policies and procedures in place to create a safe environment and each employee understands the risks that are involved coming back to work and to make sure all policies and procedures are followed to minimise the risk.

To restrict and reduce the risk of infection in the workplace, the company will:

• Have systems in place that assess the risk of and prevent, detect and control the risk of infection
• Designate a lead for infection prevention and control (Gina Cespedes and Stephanie Ospina)
• Ensure sufficient resources are available to secure effective prevention and control of infection
• Ensure employees are provided with suitable information, instructions, training, and supervision in the precautions to follow
• Information is obtained from and shared with other businesses
• Audits are carried out to ensure policies and procedures are being implemented
• A suitable and sufficient risk assessment is carried out with respect to prevention and control of infection
• Ensure an appropriate standard of cleanliness and hygiene is maintained throughout the premises and that the premises are maintained in good physical repair and condition
• Ensure appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene is maintained in relation to equipment
• Ensure that a suitable cleaning schedule is in place and followed
• Ensure there is suitable and sufficient hand washing facilities and antimicrobial hand rubs where appropriate
• Ensure the supply, cleaning and provision of laundry is appropriate
• Ensure at no time parents or visitors enter the building
• Ensure suitable information regarding infection is passed on to parents and staff, as necessary
• Ensure individuals who develop an infection are identified promptly and that they receive the appropriate treatment and care set out in our policies
• The lead for infection will contact the local health protection unit of any outbreaks or serious incidents relating to infection Safety@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk 0208 871 6220/6221/8501
• Ensure all staff co-operate with our control of infection procedures
• Provide regular suitable training, including induction training to all staff on the prevention and control of infection
• Keep a record of all training and updates to staff
• Ensure prevention and control of infection responsibilities are outlined in employees in job descriptions
• Train staff in how to keep a distance but start and drop off times cannot be staggered
• Face to face contact with parents, staff need to wear masks. Any contact that can be done over phone or email rather than in person should be done
• Tests and vaccines offered to staff where appropriate and keep a record of relevant immunization
• Ensure the following policies and procedures are up to date:
  
  • Standard infection prevention and control.
  • Risk Assessment for COVID-19 in nursery
  • Policy for PPE and staff behaviour
  • Policy for cleaning
  • Policy for illness
  • Policy for parents in COVID-19
• All staff should wear a staff smock over their clothes once at work. This needs to be taken off before leaving work and needs to be washed each evening.
• Full PPE will be given. Staff must always wear gloves and masks in close proximity to parents as well as aprons when changing nappies. All other PPE is optional.

Procedure
The company will apply the below infection outbreak procedure to control the risk of infectious diseases in the workplace.

• Strongly recommend that employee follow any Government guidance published on self-isolation/quarantine
• Make sure all staff report symptoms of infectious diseases
• Ensure staff follow procedures for catching public transport
• Ensure staff who have infectious diseases symptoms do not come to work and get a test. If the test is negative, they can come back to work once the symptoms have not occurred for 48 hours after symptoms stopped
• Where required, ensure notifiable outbreaks are reported to the relevant authority eg HSE
• Co-operate with any investigation by relevant authority and comply with any investigation findings
• Keep the number of employees dealing with affected persons to a minimum and do not allow these employees to be involved with food handling
• Prioritise cleaning, paying particular attention to the cleaning and disinfecting of toilets, handles, support handrails, taps and wash basins
• Ensure staff pay strict attention to infection control procedures, in particular to the washing of hands and the wearing of protective clothing if required
• Provide and use antibacterial hand wash in all hand washing areas and in the rooms of outbreak.