COVID-19 Secure Workplace

The Health and Safety of our Employees is our top priority

This guidance and our site safety measures are based on what we currently know about COVID-19 as provided by Public Health England and is covered with all our employees via various measures including but not limited to site inductions, posters and documented polices.

Please also refer to the following documents for more information:

Glasdon Group Limited COVID-19 Risk Assessment (Issue 1)

Staying COVID-19 Secure Certificate

COVID-19 Safety Measures Infographic

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has a COVID-19 infection:

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, then you are to remain off work for a minimum of 10 days.

The rules defining who can be tested are changing on a regular basis, if you or any member of your household does show symptoms please check here for the latest guidelines as to whether you qualify for a test:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

From what we know about other coronaviruses, spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (2 metres or less) with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with an infected person.

Droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes containing the virus are the main means of transmission.

There are two main routes by which people can spread COVID-19:

• infection can be spread to people who are nearby (within 2 metres) such that droplets could be inhaled into the lungs.
• it is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes (such as touching a door handle or shaking hands then touching your own face).

How long any respiratory virus survives will depend on a number of factors, for example:

• what surface the virus is on
• whether it is exposed to sunlight
• differences in temperature and humidity
• exposure to cleaning products

Under most circumstances, the amount of infectious virus on any contaminated surfaces is likely to decrease significantly over 72 hours.

We know that similar viruses are transferred to and by people’s hands. Therefore, regular hand hygiene and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces will help to reduce the risk of infection.

Every employee throughout the Company has a part to play, reducing the risk of spreading the virus.

A large number of control measures have been implemented in all areas of the Company that must be adhered to so we can all keep ourselves, our colleagues and our families safe and well.

Wherever possible employees should travel to site alone using their own transport.
If employees have no option but to share transport:

• Journeys should be shared with the same individuals and with the minimum number of people at any one time
• Good ventilation (i.e. keeping the windows open) and facing away from each other may help to reduce the risk of transmission
• The vehicle should be cleaned regularly using gloves and standard cleaning products, with particular emphasis on handles and other areas where passengers may touch surfaces

To ensure employees enter and move around the site with minimal contact with surfaces, where possible internal doors are to be held open with door wedges and draft curtains into assembly areas tied back.

External entrance doors fitted with keypads are to be accessed using employee ID cards which provide contactless door unlocking.

Note, Door wedges must be removed at the end of each day for fire protection.

Buildings, Warehouses and Units are to be entered by the following doors at the start of the working day.

On entry to the building you must practice good hand hygiene by using the hand sanitiser provided.

In addition to previously installed washing facilities new wash stations have been installed.

Hands must be washed with hot water and soap or hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds before starting work, going on breaks, returning from breaks and frequently during the remainder of the day.

These measures have been taken to provide all employees every opportunity to practice the good hand hygiene that is required to reduce the spread of the virus.

Along with the new wash stations there are hand sanitiser stations at all building entrances.

Assembly equipment and tooling will be sanitised twice daily by employees and employees are encouraged to further sanitise any shared tooling throughout the working day.

Office staff must observe the clear desk policy to ensure daily contracted cleaning can take place to the correct standard. Sanitising wipes are available to enable frequent disinfection of workstations by employees.

Daily temperature checking will take place to ensure no employees are displaying the fever symptom of the virus.

This check will be completed using medical grade infrared thermometers by Departmental Managers and Foremen.

The cooperation of all employees will be expected; anyone displaying fever symptoms will be asked to leave site immediately.

If you feel unwell before setting off for work then please do not enter the site.

Maintaining a minimum of a 2 metre distance from another person plays a major part in reducing the spread of the virus.

Wherever possible the Company has taken measures to create the required spacing. All employees must adhere to the distancing requirements at all times:

• As a visual aid to the distancing requirement high trafficked areas have been marked with 2 metre floor markings and signage.
• Employees must respect the space needed for others to operate or move around the site. A great deal of patience may be required and at times you may need to step aside to let someone pass; good communication is vital.
• Despite all efforts to maintain the correct distancing it is inevitable that some tasks will require some employees to operate closer than 2 metres. For all such tasks mandatory PPE must be worn consisting of a minimum of a face visor, a face visor, a face mask and gloves; duration will be kept to an absolute minimum and will be followed by good hygiene practices.
• Break Times – break and lunch times will be staggered to facilitate the distancing requirements.
  • Canteen services temporarily ceased. Canteens remain open to be used as eating areas. Seats have been arranged to follow the 2 metre distancing rule. At PNR floor markings direct employees on a one way system using single door entry and exit.
  • Designated smoking shelters will be restricted to 3no. persons at any one time.
• Maintaining the correct distancing requirements in toilets, washrooms and changing rooms will require the full cooperation of all staff; all of these facilities will be operating with a reduced capacity. Consideration must be given to others when using these facilities and you may be required to wait outside until you can enter without encroaching on the minimum 2 metre distancing requirement.

Gloves, face masks and face shields are available for tasks requiring PPE.

PPE must be correctly worn and disposed in the correct manner; dedicated PPE disposal points are located throughout the site.

Visitors to site will be discouraged unless business critical. On arrival, visitors will be instructed to practice good hand hygiene; any visitor that appears to be unwell will be asked to leave site immediately.

Delivery drivers and hauliers will be instructed to enter site by specific routes and again practice good hygiene before any contact.

Business travel will be restricted and only permitted by Departmental Managers.

Offsite works will be planned with emphasis put on maintaining workplace distancing, where this cannot be achieved close working PPE requirements will apply.