Lazonby Village Hall COVID-19 Risk Assessment (based on a template from ACRE for re-opening Village and Community

Halls)
– August 2020

A key part of the risk assessment has been identifying “pinch points” where people cannot maintain social distancing of 2 metres. Transient
passing at a closer distance is less of a risk than remaining in a more confined space so, for example, a narrow corridor is less of a risk than a
galley style kitchenette or a toilet area with limited circulation space between cubicles, basins and door, where people remain for longer.
Where 2m social distancing is not possible 1m plus mitigation measures is acceptable. For areas which present a problem people may need to
be asked to arrange a waiting system or adjust signage e.g. engaged/vacant.

Important Notes:

1. The COVID-19 Risk Assessment may need to be updated in the light of any new government advice that may be forthcoming.

2. This document should be read in conjunction with relevant legislation and guidance issued by government and local authorities.

3. The template document was not intended to be comprehensive and ACRE cannot be held responsible for any errors or
omissions, factual or otherwise, arising from reliance on it. It is not a substitute for independent professional and/or legal
advice. Lazonby village hall committee have done their best to identify all areas of concern but would welcome any further
input from users.
Area or People at Risk Risk identified
Staff, committee members,  Cross-contamination from
contractors, occasional surfaces
maintenance workers and  Cross-contamination from rubbish
volunteers e.g. containing tissues and cleaning
cloths
 Transmission from
someone falling ill with
Covid-19 symptoms whilst
on the premises
 Staff/volunteers who are either
extremely vulnerable or over 70
exposed through any of the above
 Mental stress from
handling the new situation
 Hall not guaranteed clean
between each use
 Setting the heating controls
 Cross-contamination from
handling cash e.g. from
lottery collection or from
snooker room light box
Actions to take to mitigate risk
 Stay at home if unwell guidance at
entrance and in Main Hall
 Cleaning staff provided with
protective overalls/aprons and
plastic or rubber gloves
 Cleaning staff advised to wear
masks provided at own
discretion when working alone
but must be worn when
emptying bins or collecting litter
inside
 Staff over age of 70 consulted
on their willingness to return to
work and PPE provided
 Bookings spaced out as far as
possible to enable the risk of
cross-contamination to naturally
reduce; ideally 24 hours apart at
least
 Staff to set their own hours to
reduce risk, relating to the booking
schedule. Committee to ensure
that up to date bookings
information is available – weekly
communication at least to enable
planning of hours of work
 The committee will contact staff
and volunteers regularly to see
if arrangements are working
 In the event of confirmed
notification of a COVID case, the
Insert date completed and
any notes
Cleaning staff advised of PPE
equipment provided prior to return
to work (16-08-2020)
Cleaning guidance:, cloths should
be used on light switches and
electrical appliances rather than
spray disinfectants, rubberised and
glued surfaces can become
damaged by use of spray
disinfectant too frequently;
Avoid cross-contamination through
cloths; disinfect with bleach or
dispose of, or use paper towels
where possible;
Rubbish to be tied up in bags and
disposed of as usual, unless
notification of COVID case on the
premises, in which case the rubbish
will be left for at least three days
(and the hall closed)

Hall users  Transmission through not
adhering to social distancing
 Transmission from touching
infected surfaces
 Transmission from cleaning
infected surfaces
 Transmission through not
wearing face masks
 Hall not guaranteed clean
between bookings
 Transmission through
narrow or confined spaces
making social distancing
difficult
 Cross-contamination through
equipment
hall will be closed until deep
cleaning carried out
 Staff/volunteers advised to wash
outer clothes after cleaning
duties
 All hall users to wear masks in
accordance with government
guidance, unless exempt (for
sporting activities or medical
exemption)
 Hall users requested to remove all
rubbish to mitigate risk to cleaning
staff
 Cash to be left in a bag for at least
three days prior to being passed to
the treasurer
 Good hygiene practices adhered to
 Guidance issued in special conditions Staff and volunteers will need to be
of hire – sent to each hirer and warned immediately if someone is
available on the website and 2m tested positive for COVID-19 who
markers provided. has been on the premises.
 Face-mask reminders on posters and CONTACT details of all the
on website. committee are in the glass
 Hand sanitizer stations at main hall cupboard in the main entrance
entrance and entrance to Snooker porch.
Room stairway, in the Snooker Room Details of a person’s medical
and in the exit via the corridor to the condition must be kept confidential,
left of the stage unless the employee/volunteer
 One-way system in place agrees it can be shared.
 Hall users requested to provide own
cleaning materials and to clean high It is important hall users know they
use areas before and after use (see can raise concerns
Special Hiring Conditions) lazonbyvillagehall@btinternet.com
 COVID-19 isolation space identified:
The Jubilee Room and Covid-19
First Aid kit supplied
 Guidance issued on COVID First
Aid – on display in Jubilee Room,
sent to all hirers and on the hall
website.
 Deep clean contractor to be
employed in the event of a Covid-
19 incident.
 Hall hirers to requested to records
of attendees to inform the
Government Track and Trace
system
 The Village Hall Committee to keep
accurate records of all bookings,
use by contractors and
maintenance personnel to inform
same;
 Maximum limit of 30 people –
additional numbers must be
approved by the committee and
hirers’ plans to mitigate risk
Car parking/paths Social distancing is not observed as people
congregate before entering premises.
Parking area is too congested to allow
social distancing.
People drop tissues.
‘Keep your distance’ signs put up at all
potential entrances to encourage care
when queueing to enter.
Cleaner asked to check area outside
doors for rubbish which might be
contaminated, e.g. tissues.
Wear plastic gloves and remove.
Transitory lapses in social
distancing in outside areas are
less risky, the main risk is likely to
be where people congregate or
for vulnerable people.
Ordinary litter collection
arrangements can remain in
place. Provide plastic gloves.

Entrance hall/lobby Possible “pinch points” and busy areas
where risk is social distancing is not
observed in a confined area.
Door handles, light switches in frequent
use.
Mark out 2 metre spacing in entrance area. Hand sanitiser needs to be
Create one- way system and provide checked regularly.
signage. Provide more bins in main hall and
Door handles and light switches to toilet.
be cleaned regularly.
Hand sanitiser to be provided by hall

Main Hall Door handles, light switches, window
catches, tables, chair backs and arms.
Window curtains or blinds
Social distancing to be observed
Door handles, light switches, window Provide hand sanitiser.
catches, tables, chairs and other
equipment used to be cleaned by hirers
before use.
Social distancing guidance to be observed
by hirers in arranging their activities.
Suggested spacing to be marked out along
walls.
Hirers to be encouraged to wash hands
regularly.
Curtains to be removed.
Upholstered seating Virus may remain on fabric. Cannot
readily be cleaned between use. Frequent
cleaning would damage fabric. Metal
parts can be cleaned and are more likely
to be touched when moving them, ie
more frequently.
Jubilee Room Social distancing more difficult in smaller
areas
Door and window handles, light
switches
Tables, chair backs and arms.
Floors with carpet less easily cleaned.
Kitchen Social distancing more difficult
Door and handles
Light switches
Working surfaces, sinks
Cupboard/drawer handles
Fridge
Crockery/cutlery
Kettle/hot water boiler
Cooker
Cushioned chairs with arms are reserved
only for those who need them by reason
of infirmity and who have been socially
isolating themselves. Cushioned chairs
not in use unless specially requested.
Only main hall available for hire initially.
Surfaces and equipment to be cleaned by
hirers before use.
Rooms with carpeted floors not hired for
keep fit type classes.
Jubilee room only used as isolation room and
for approved storage.
Hirers are asked to control numbers to Cleaning materials to be made
maximum 2 people using kitchen so as to available in clearly identified
ensure social distancing, especially for location, in cupboard under the
those over 70. Notice pinned to kitchen sink, regularly checked and re-
door. Hirers to clean all areas likely to be stocked as necessary by cleaner.
used before use, wash, dry and stow
crockery and cutlery after use.
Fridge to be switched off.
Hirers to bring own tea towels.
Hand sanitiser, soap and paper towels

Store cupboards (cleaner etc)
Storage Rooms
(furniture/equipment)
Indoor Toilets
Door handles, light switch
Social distancing more difficult
Door handles in use.
Equipment needing to be moved not
normally in use
Social distancing difficult. Surfaces in
frequent use = door handles, light
switches, basins, toilet handles, seats
etc.
Baby changing and vanity surfaces,
mirrors.
to be provided.
No public access to cleaning store
cupboard under stage.
Cleaner to decide frequency of cleaning
to meet hours and maintain high
standards between bookings where
possible.
Re-stocking of items to be left for three
days/or disinfected before cleaner to use.
Lock to be put on cleaning cupboard.
Hirer to clean equipment required before
use. Hirer to control accessing and
stowing equipment to encourage social
distancing.
Equipment to be stored in Jubilee Room
with appropriate signage.
No entry to below stage storage as more
enclosed area and less moving around
the hall.
Additional chairs and tables to be stored
out of immediate access.
Sign to request hirers to wait until toilet Soap, paper towels, tissues and
vacant to reduce queuing in enclosed foyer toilet paper are regularly checked
area. and replenished by cleaner.
Hirer to clean all surfaces etc before public Ensure hirer knows where to
arrive. Only disabled toilet to be used. access for re- stocking if needed.
Engaged/vacant sign. Handwashing for
20 seconds signage. Hot water heater
on order.
Soiled nappies must be removed.
Boiler Room Door handle, light switch Social
distancing not possible
Stage Curtains
Social distancing
Lighting and sound controls
Below stage area Social distancing more difficult
Door handles in use.
Equipment needing to be moved not
normally in use
Snooker Room Handling cash from meters.
Too many people arrive.
Cross contamination risk from
snooker balls, rests and cues.
Public access unlikely.
Cleaner to decide frequency of cleaning.
Stage curtains to be removed.
Hirer to control access and clean as
required.
Area out of bounds, ‘No Entry’ signs to be
placed on doors leading to back/below
stage areas.
Disinfectant wipes provided for users to Provide easily wiped plastic
clean before and after use with signage to chairs instead of soft ones.
encourage this. Club cues to be removed.
Limit of 6 people in the room, first come
first served. Option for booking sessions if
this becomes a problem.
Hand sanitiser stations at both the
entrance/exit to the hall and inside the
snooker room.
Soft chairs to be made unavailable.
Curtains to be taken down.
Cash to be handled by one individual
wearing gloves and quarantined for
minimum three days before passing to
treasurer.