Neighbours & Covid-19

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Protecting yourself and others from Covid-19

Everyone needs to assess and manage the risks of COVID-19. You should make a risk assessment to identify sensible measures that you need to take to protect yourself and others. The principles of assessing risk is that you:

1. Identify the hazards
2. Assess the risks
3. Take steps to control and reduce the risks (both to yourself and others).

Step 1: Hazzards: can arise from the physical environment, steps, trips, spills, falls, obstructions, equipment, machinery, vehicles, chemicals etc..

Step 2: Assesment: In assessing the risk before undertaking any activity you should consider: who could be harmed ad how, what steps you are taking to control such risks.

Step 3: Control: To control the risk you should consider: whether a hazard can be removed else controlled so that harm is unlikely, e.g., resdesigning your method or approach or taking practical precautions.

If in doubt do not undertake a risky activity.

Contact either:

1. The HSE https://hsegov.microsoftcrmportals.com/workingsafelyenquiries or 0300 790 6787
2. Public Health England enquiries@phe.gov.uk 020 7654 8000

The primary way to reduce both the risk of spreading Covid-19 or infecting yourself is to increase the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning. Secondly is to follow the social distancing guidelines where possible and keep the activity time involved as short as possible.

You should not go into a home where persons are self-isolating without PPE (personal protective equipment).

When interacting with persons who are clinically vulnerable, or have been asked to shield, e.g., the home of someone over 70, you should not make any face-to-face contact, for example, when answering the door. You should be particularly strict about handwashing, coughing and sneezing hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth and disposing of single-use tissues. Maintaining social distance as far as possible should be your priority at all times.

When visiting or travelling you should where possible consider travelling to sites alone using your own transport, where insurance allows. If absolutely necessary to share transportation with someone outside your household then maintaining good ventilation, for example, keeping windows open and passengers facing away from one another to reduce risk of transmission is advised. Vehicles used should be regularly cleaned using gloves and standard cleaning products, with emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces, and you should wash hands on arrival and maintain social distancing when entering a home. As well as keeping a 2m distance from others, you should avoid touching surfaces and door handles and wear suitable PPE.

PPE protects both the helper and the person in need against health or safety risks. It can include items such as safety visors, gloves, aprons, face masks and also includes respiratory protective equipment. Your risk assessment should guide you on the level of PPE required, for example: face masks are more likely to protect the 3rd party from yourself if you are carrying Covid-19 without symptoms and are less likely to afford benefit outdoors.

It is always advisable to communicate with households prior to arrival, and on arrival, to ensure the household understands the social distancing and hygiene measures that should be followed, and that you have arranged methods of safely disposing waste with the householder.

SUMMARY

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on, and after removing it.
• When wearing a face covering, avoid touching your face or face covering, as you could contaminate them with germs from your hands.
• Change your face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it.
• Continue to wash your hands regularly.
• Change and wash your face covering daily.
• If the material is washable, wash in line with manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s not washable, dispose of it carefully in your usual waste.
• Practise social distancing wherever possible.