Hi All

Probably a hot topic for us all!!!

Has anyone started to prepare a RA for returning staff to work (particularly NHS non clinical staff) and would like to share ideas with us all. We all understand the govenment guildines of social distancing and handwashing etc, but practically how are you planning to manage these suficiently. It would not be practical for office staff on phones wearing masks.

Also would anyone out therefore be prepared to share a sufficient RA template for this topic

NeilH 

We have been working throughout the lockdown as we are a manufacturer so have a COVID-19 RA already but are revisiting it now as it is becoming more apparent that this will be a long term adjustment so more permanent control measures will be required.  We are trying to stay away from measures that require human involvment to work, so are considering things like perspex barriers to enforce social distancing in difficult areas, rearranging office spaces so desks are not facing each other, staggered start times for office staff and factory workers and alternatives to our fingerprint clocking in system.  All on top of the usual hand washing, social distancing and increased cleaning regime.  Always open to other suggestions though.

We have staff on site undertaking statutory compliance works (these still need completing in any organisation), and a Security Team on site. So we have measures in place to ensure adhereance to social distancing, welfare facilities provision and hygiene.

We are also preparing various contingency plans to ensure we are ready for allowing required staff back (depending upon government advice on Sunday), as no one knows what exactly is going to happen it is very much a guessing game, so we have three scenarios we are planning for specific to our organisation.

There are loads of guidance documents online, barbour have just send an email out this morning with a directors briefing which has information. Google and you shall find :)

However very basically i would expect most organisation to be planning with the following in mind:

- risk assessments cover COVID reopening 

- supplies

- statutory compliance and maintenance

- social distancing procedures (one way systems, screens, removing/reducing seat in staff rooms/catering to prevent people siting next to each other

- major one is beahviour and communication, An organisation can only put so many measures in place, but all this relies on people ahdering to the controls, so making sure people know whats expected of them.

- cleaning 

- manual handling tasks - clearly two person and team handling will be impacted (may not be a huge risk to some companies but clearly if your moving furnature to stop people congregating at lunch time...)