Induction

Return to Workplace Safely

Version: 1
Date: 18 Feb 2021
Introduction

 In response to the government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business Allpro
Services have established a Covid19Workplace Safety Response Team to oversee the
implementation of this plan for our organisation. You will be aware that there are 5 phases
outlined in this roadmap which we are working towards.
 The first phase begins on May 18th . From this date our buildings will be accessible on a
strictly managed basis to allow staff access only for the organisation and distribution of
remote learning in our schools and FET Centres and for some key tasks in our offices. This
access with be for a specific time frame and only with agreement from line
managers/principals.
  This induction presentation will help to support and advise you in returning to the
workplace over the next number of weeks, should you need to but our advice still remains
that where you can work from home you must continue to do so.
Covid-19 Background

 The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved rapidly.

 Department of Health is leading the Government response in Ireland to this national public health
emergency and it, along with the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) Health Protection Surveillance Centre
(HSPC), is providing up to date information and advice on its website.
 Exposure to COVID-19 is a public health risk.
 COVID-19 also has implications for all workplaces as it can present a health risk to workers and other
persons at a place of work.
 The reopening of the economy goes hand-in-hand with the provision of public health measures to reduce the
risk of spread of COVID-19
 Managing the risk of spread in the workplace is important in relation to the health of workers but is also
important as part of general efforts to control the spread and protect the most vulnerable.
 The following protocol describes the measures required to be put in place by employers and adhered to by
workers to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Symptoms of COVID-19

 Infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 can cause illness, ranging from mild to severe,
and, in some cases, can be fatal.
 It can take anything from 2 days up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear. They can
be similar to the symptoms of cold and flu.
 Common symptoms of coronavirus include:
• a fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above).
• a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry.
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.

If you are displaying any of these symptoms we strongly advise that you seek medical advice before
returning to the workplace.
How COVID-19 Spreads

 COVID-19 disease is spread from people in fluid and in droplets scattered from the nose or
mouth of an infected person when the person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or speaks.
 The fluid or droplets land on objects and surfaces around the infected person.
 Other people contaminate their hands by touching these objects or surfaces and then bring
the virus into contact with their eyes, nose or mouth by touching them with their
contaminated hands.
 COVID-19 can also spread if droplets from an infected person land directly on the mucous
membranes of the eye, nose or mouth of a person standing close to them.
 Current information suggests that some infected people spread the virus to others prior to
developing or displaying symptoms themselves.
Returning to the Workplace Safely

If you need to access an Allpro Service client premises you must follow the steps below before you return to the
workplace:
 Complete this Induction and contact your line manager/principal to request any specific local guidelines they
may have in place.
 When you have viewed, read and understood the induction and the local guidelines you must then complete and
return the Pre-Return to Workplace Form before you return to work. You must give 3 days notice before
returning to the workplace for this first time
 You must inform your line manager/principal if there are any other circumstances relating to COVID-19, not
included in the form, which may need to be disclosed to allow for your safe return to the workplace
 If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms, before during or after your attendance in the workplace you must
self-isolate at home and contact your GP promptly for further advice . You must also advise your line
manager/principal as soon as possible.
 Temperature testing must be completed if it is implemented under Public Health advice and in line with Allpro
Services decisions.
Hand Hygiene

 Regular hand washing with soap and water is effective for the removal of COVID-19.
The HSE guidelines on Handwashing and a demonstration video from Cork University Hospital are
available on the following links. Please take time to read through and watch these
HSE Guidelines on Handwashing
http://www.cuh.hse.ie/News-and-Events/Newsfeed/Hand-Hygiene-at-CUH.html
At a minimum you should ensure that:
• you are familiar with and follow hand hygiene guidance and advice.
• You wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub regularly while in the
client building
• avoid touching their eyes, mouth, or nose during your time in the building
• You do not share objects that touch their mouth, for example, bottles or cups.
• use your own pen for signing in
Respiratory Hygiene

 To protect everyone we all should

• adopt good respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. This includes:
 Covering nose/mouth with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing, or sneezing
 If sneezing into a flexed elbow, sneeze into your non-dominate arm
 Disposing of tissue in the nearest bin after use
 Performing hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol based hand rub after contact with
respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials
 Keeping hands away from mucous membranes of the eyes and nose.
• It is the responsibility of staff to ensure they are familiar with and follow this respiratory
hygiene guidance.
Physical Distancing – 2 Metres Apart

 Physical distancing is recommended to reduce

the spread of infection.
 The current recommended distance to be
maintained between people to minimise risk of
transmission is 2 metres
 The following two videos demonstrate to
purpose and benefits of physical distancing,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ2NMD3VWi
o

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMyx1uC_cuQ
At Risk/Vulnerable Staff

 If you are an at risk or vulnerable staff member who cannot work from home and must be
in the workplace, please contact your line manager/principal to make sure that you are
preferentially supported to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres.
 However, Allpro Services will continue to enable and support vulnerable staff members to
work from home where possible.
 See the following page from the HSE outlining the levels of risk, those who are vulnerable
and the different advice to protect those at risk
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/people-at-higher-risk.html

Contact your line manager/principal if you have any concerns or queries in relation to this.
Cleaning

 Cleaning of work areas must be conducted at regular intervals.

 Your line manager/principal will ensure that regular cleaning is scheduled in our buildings,
however we all have a responsibility to maintain a clean and safe working environment.
 You can help us by ensuring that you
 Maintain good hand hygiene during your time in the building. Use the hand sansitisation stations
regular throughout your time there and wash your hand frequently.
 Wipe down your work station/desk/chair etc. before and after your use
 Wipe down any frequently touched areas that you will come in contact with such as light
switches/door handles etc.
The Use of Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
 Gloves are generally not required for infection prevention and control purposes.
 Gloves are not a replacement to handwashing and to follow hand hygiene guidelines (see
earlier slide).
 Face masks are mandatory and must be worn.
Air Conditioning

 Switching off air conditioning is not required to manage the risk of COVID-19.
 Air conditioning is not generally considered as contributing significantly to the spread of
COVID-19.
 For rooms without air conditioning adequate ventilation is encouraged, for example, by
opening windows where feasible etc.
Your role as a Staff Member

 You should follow the public health advice and guidance, as well as any specific direction
from Allpro Services.
 You should also adopt good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing, respiratory
etiquette and physical distancing to protect yourself and your work colleagues against
infection and you should seek professional healthcare advice if you are unwell.
 If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should not attend the workplace.
 The key to effective implementation of the infection prevention and control is having a
strong communication and shared collaborative approach between everyone in the
workplace.
 It’s about safety for everyone - your safety and everyone else .
Working with the Public/Visitors to the
Workplace
 When dealing with the public/visitors as part of your job you must eliminate or reduce
physical interaction if possible.
 There must be managed entry for visitors.
 A cleaning regime must be implemented to ensure that contact points are kept cleaned.
Mental Health and Wellbeing

A range of supports and advice is available from the Health and Safety Authority and LWETB
on work related stress at:
 https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Workplace_Stress/
 The Authority also provides a free online risk assessment tool for addressing work related
stress: Work Positive (www.workpositive.ie).
 The Government’s “In This Together Campaign” also provides information on minding
one’s mental health as well as tips on staying active and connected and may be useful for
use by employers and workers:
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/?referrer=/together/
Any Questions?

If you have any questions or queries regarding the Return to

Workplace Safely Induction please contact your line
manager.

Thank you for your attention.