Ella Dunbar Therapies New

Ella Dunbar Therapies / Chadderton Acupuncture -- Workplace Risk Assessment Document Date First Issued: 20/05/2020
Risk to be Assessed:	Coronavirus / Covid-19
Justification:	Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect a person’s lungs and airways, and often other organs. It is caused by a virus called Coronavirus.
Symptoms of Covid-19:	Symptoms can be mild, moderate, severe or even fatal, and usually manifest as becoming unwell with a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature/fever.
General Notes:	Due to the nature of this health practice, it is not possible to strictly adhere to the current recommended government guidelines for avoidance of person to person contact and the required 2 metre distance apart. This document details the perceived risk assessment and precautions implemented at the practise to minimise the risk of spreading the virus to both the Client/Patient and the Practitioner and immediate family. Client/Patient to be informed they are to read this document and agree to strictly adhere to the guidance set out.
Defined hazard	Who might be harmed	Controls Required	Additional Controls
Spread of Covid-19 Coronavirus from Practice/ Practitioner to visiting Client/Patient	Client/Patient visiting the premises including vulnerable groups: elderly, pregnant, people with underlying health conditions	General The practice will not make an appointment booking and will contact the Client/Patient to cancel any booking if at any time in the preceding 14 days to an appointment the Practitioner or other household members develop any associated symptoms. Client/Patient will be informed, if the Practitioner or other household members develop any associated symptoms in the 7 days following the appointment. Cleaning The practice objects and surfaces that are touched will be disinfected between each appointment, particularly areas of high use such as door handles, light switches, couch, and desk space, using appropriate cleaning products and methods. Facial masks A facial mask will be provided to each Client/Patient entering the practice. Hand Sanitisation Wearing gloves may not be appropriate due to the necessity of needling points on hands (acupuncture) or using electrodes on hands (bioresonance). Instead, a hand sanitiser will be provided by the Practitioner. After using the practice toilet, hands should be washed for a minimum of 20 seconds with water and soap and properly dried with disposable paper towels. Hand sanitising is necessary throughout the session. See hand washing guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/ Drying of hands with disposable paper towels: https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/research-and-innovation/paper-towels-much-more-effective-at-removing-viruses-than-hand-dryers-17-04-2020/	Ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the 'catch it, bin it, kill it' approach. Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues, and avoiding touching face, eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands. Tissues will be made available throughout the practice. To help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) everyone should get familiar with the public health advice - https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus Testing electrodes (Biomeridian and Mora-Nova) will be sanitised between each appointment. Writing pens: cleaning with antibacterial fluid after each client. Paper documents: filed after each client, wearing disposable gloves. Paper tissues and litter bins are readily available at the practice.
Spread of Covid-19 Coronavirus from visiting Client/Patient to the Practitioner	Practitioner and including family members residing in the property	General Client/Patient must contact the practise if they develop any associated symptoms in the 7 days either preceding or following the appointment. Considering the small area of the practice premises, only one client/patient is allowed at the premises at any time. The exception is when a child is attending the appointment. In this case, the child can be accompanied by one adult carer/parent. Both persons should wear a face mask and sanitise their hands at the entrance to the premises. Face mask and hand sanitiser will be provided by the Practitioner at the door.