Work Health & Safety Plan for COVID-19

This plan outlines our commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, clients, students and visitors.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of Coronavirus range from a mild cough to pneumonia and in severe cases can lead to death. People who have coronavirus typically experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Flu - like symptoms such as cough, sore throat and fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.
• Loss of taste and smell.
• Abdominal pain.

It is important to seek immediate medical advice if the illness quickly becomes worse or if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Confusion or sudden dizziness.
• Persistent vomiting.

How is it spread?

Coronavirus is spread from person-to-person through:

• Close contact with an infected person.
• Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.
• Touching surfaces or objects (like doorknobs and tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person and then touching your mouth or face. 

What can be done to stop the spread of coronavirus?

Everyone should practice good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:

• Washing hands with soap and water.
• Using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissue and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoiding close contact with others, such as touching.
• Regular disinfection of hands and surfaces.
• Not leave the house if you show any signs of a cold or flu.
• Not leave the house if you have had any contact with an infected person.

Reporting and Notification of COVID19

If there is a confirmed or probable diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in a person who is part of our workplace, NSW Health will be notified by the medical professional who confirms the diagnosis and the laboratory that completed the test.

Workers’ responsibilities in relation to COVID-19

Workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and the health and safety of other persons in the workplace.

What does a worker do if they test positive for COVID-19?

NSW Health will contact you if you have a positive test for COVID-19. You must self-isolate and follow the instructions of health authorities. You should inform your supervisor of your diagnosis and you must not attend work.

NSW Health will contact your employer, if required, for the purpose of contact tracing and will advise on what actions are required to protect other workers who may have had close contact with you.

When can a worker return to work if they have COVID-19?

Your health care provider will advise you when you are no longer infectious and can return to work.

What should a worker do if they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?

NSW Health will undertake contact tracing. This involves identifying people who have had close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 infection. If you are considered a close contact, you will be directed to self-quarantine and provided with information to prevent the further spread of infection.

People who are not close contacts do not have to go into quarantine but should be alert to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, monitor their health and continue to practice recommended social distancing and hygiene measures.

When can a worker return to work after self-quarantine?

If you have self-quarantined for 14 days without any symptoms, you can return to work. If you need a medical certificate you should see your GP. If you have tested negative for COVID-19 during this period, you must remain in quarantine for the full 14 days. You should seek medical attention immediately if you develop symptoms while in self-quarantine.

What happens if a worker develops symptoms while they are in self-quarantine?

If you develop symptoms while you are in self-quarantine, you should seek medical attention immediately from your GP or a Fever Clinic. Call ahead to let the doctor or clinic know you are under quarantine so they can prepare for your arrival. If you are tested for COVID-19, you must remain in quarantine while waiting for the test results. If your test comes back negative, you are still required to complete the rest of your quarantine period. If you test positive for COVID-19 infection you will be required to self-isolate.

Business Name: Complete Skin

Business owner: Dr Timothy Caton   Approval: Y

Worker Representative Name:  Renee Pascall  Approval: Y

Date completed: 25/5/2020   Date distributed: 25/05/2020

Checks and preparation we have done to know we can re-open?

We will:

1. Review infection prevention and control policies and procedures which include actively promoting social distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene, and increased cleaning of common areas, frequently touched surfaces and shared workstations within the work environment.
2. Implement a safe system of work consistent with directions and advice provided by health authorities.
3. Monitor the COVID-19 situation as it develops, relying on information from authoritative sources such as health authorities; including NSW Health and Murrumbidgee Local Health.
4. Check condition of equipment and facilities, condition of perishable items, staff training.
5. Ensured staff have completed COVID-19 Infection control training.
6. Encouraged all staff to get vaccinated for winter flu season.
7. Ensure we have adequate supplies of hand sanitiser, disinfectant wipes, soap, gloves and masks.
8. Ensure all premises have a thorough clean before opening.
9. Ensure COVID-19 safety signs on each reception desk.

Who is responsible? Owner, Manager and Staff

How we are complying with social distancing requirements?

We will:

1. Ensure all people entering the premises have their temperature checked on arrival, and sanitise their hands, on arrival.
2. Maintain social distancing in public areas.
3. Limit number of people in treatment room to comply with 4 square meter rule.
4. Limit cash transactions, encouraging use of contactless payment options.
5. Continue to conduct meetings and consultations wherever possible by Zoom and FaceTime.

Who is responsible? Owner, Manager and Staff

How we are complying with hygiene and cleaning requirements?

We have:

1. Hand washing facilities or alcohol-based hand sanitiser at entry and exit points and in common rooms/lunchrooms.
2. Weekly professional cleaning to be performed by Domestic Solutions Wagga.
3. Signs posted regarding practicing of proper hygiene and hand washing.
4. All high traffic and touch areas to be sanitised regularly between clients coming and going.
5. Treatment rooms to be cleaned between clients.
6. Scheduling appointments/bookings to allow for sufficient cleaning time.
7. Should Complete Skin have a case of COVID-19 the premises will be immediately shut and will be sanitised by a professional cleaner with appropriate equipment such as Domestic Solutions Wagga.

Who is responsible? Owner, Manager and Staff

How we are managing deliveries, contractors and visitors attending the workplace?

We have:

1. Arranged a drop off point for deliveries

Who is responsible? Manager

How we are reviewing and monitoring work health and safety compliance?

We review thru:

1. Meetings with clinic owner, Manager and staff.
2. Weekly management meetings.

Who is responsible? Owner, Manager and Staff

Extra measures we are doing to keep clients safe?

We are:

1. Providing hand washing facilities and making sure these are kept clean, properly stocked and in good working order.
2. Providing soap and alcohol-based hand sanitiser tissues and cleaning supplies.
3. Supply face masks and gloves to all staff and clients, where appropriate.
4. Promote good hygiene practices, e.g. display hand hygiene posters.
5. Keep the workplace clean and hygienic. Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces such as door handles to helps prevent contamination.
6. Ensure appropriate sanitisation of relevant equipment between clients.
7. Ensure all people entering premises have their temperature checked on arrival and sanitise their hands.
8. Clients may request therapists to wear gloves and masks.
9. Ensure staff and clients with any flu or cold symptoms stay home until they are recovered.
10. Provide disposable paper cups for beverages.
11. Remove reading material from waiting areas
12. Sanitise all iPads after use.
13. Promote our COVID-19 Safety Plan on our website for access by staff and clients.
14. Provide a copy of the COVID-19 Safety Plan at reception.
15. If someone becomes ill with respiratory symptoms at work, isolate them by placing them in a room or an area away from others, we will then arrange for the person to be sent home or access medical assistance.
16. If a worker is confirmed to have COVID-19, call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice. Inform co-workers about possible exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 but maintain confidentiality. Advise workers to seek immediate medical advice if they develop symptoms or are concerned about their health.

Who is responsible? Owner, Manager and Staff

Record keeping

1. Ensure we have up to date contact information for all staff, students and clients entering the clinic.

Who is responsible? Owner, Manager and Staff

Directions for staff

1. No one is to attend work if they are unwell in any way. Whilst we feel the risk of COVID-19 is very low, this is more for people’s mental well-being, and not causing unnecessary anxiety.
2. Ensure staff are tested for COVID-19 if displaying any symptoms.
3. Encourage all staff to download the COVID-safe app.
4. Sanitise hands on arrival.
5. No staff member is to attend work if they have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 until they have a health clearance.
6. We strongly suggest everyone have the flu vaccination to further keep everyone safe from colds and flu this season.
7. Clean your hands regularly throughout the day with soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
8. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing, dispose of tissues immediately after use and wash your hands or apply hand sanitizer.
9. Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth and shaking hands.
10. Not congregate in groups of more than 10 in public areas. Maintain social distancing in public areas; and We ask everyone to refrain from your normal “hello hug”.
11. On occasions where all staff are required for meetings 4 square meters per person is applied
12. Staff to have staggered lunch breaks to avoid having multiple people in the lunchroom at one time.
13. Please ensure there are only 4 people (including staff) as a maximum in the common areas at any one time.
14. Clients to the clinic will be required to sign on their consultation form that they are not displaying any signs of flu, or COVID-19 nor have been in contact with anyone displaying symptoms.
15. For the first couple of weeks, we will ask all staff to wear masks and gloves when performing treatments where they are in close contact with patients.
16. Staff will ensure benches, handles etc. will have regular cleaning throughout the day.
17. iPad will be cleansed with disinfectant wipes after every use.
18. Staff dishes to be washed up by individual whom used them, immediately after use with hot soapy water.
19. There will not be magazines in waiting room.
20. Paper forms not used whenever possible.

Who is responsible? Owner, Manager and Staff

Directions for Clients

1. Clients are not to enter the clinic if they are unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms even if they are mild. We have the right to refuse service and must insist that anyone with these symptoms leaves the premises.
2. Come alone to appointments to assist us with social distancing parameters.
3. Encourage all clients to download the COVID-safe app.
4. Do not bring children to the clinic unless the child has an appointment.
5. Verify on consultation form each visit they are well and not displaying any signs of Covid-19.
6. Sanitise hands on arrival.
7. Use tap and go, direct deposit or other contactless payment options and limit the use of cash transactions.
8. Limit walk-in appointments and client interaction at the counter through the use of online or phone bookings.
9. Maintain social distancing in public areas by phoning ahead when they arrive in the carpark to see if they can come into the clinic.
10. Refrain from any unnecessary contact with products they are not purchasing and surfaces not applicable to their treatment.
11. Clients can access our Covid19 safety plan from our website and will be advised of the following requirements when booking:

• They need to stay at home if unwell.
• They will need to provide record keeping details.
• Wash hands or use hand sanitiser on arrival.
• Not bring friends or family to appointments

How we will manage psychosocial risks?

To manage stress from COVID-19 we will:

1. Regularly ask staff how they are going and if there are any work-related stressors that need to be addressed.
2. Be well informed with information from official sources, regularly communicate with everyone and share relevant information as it comes to hand.
3. Consult our staff on any risks to their psychological health and how these can be managed.
4. Renee is the point of contact to discuss their concerns and to find workplace information in a central place.
5. Inform everyone about their entitlements if they become unfit for work or have caring responsibilities.
6. Proactively support staff who we identify may be more at risk of a work-related psychological injury (e.g. frontline workers or those working from home).
7. Refer staff to appropriate channels to support mental health and wellbeing. Owner and Manager

Who is responsible? Owner and manager