Covid-19 policy

Covid-19 policy

Due to the current situation we have put this policy in place. It is based on the advice of bodies such as the relevant governing bodies relating to our industry, the WHO, the Welsh Government and the UK Government. Where activities solely take place in England, only the advice and regulations of England are to be followed and adhered to. This policy incorporates the perceived risks regarding the nature of the virus and how it spreads in relation to our operating procedures and the health and safety of both our clientele and that of our staff. Together with the most recent and ongoing advice in conjunction with the current and ongoing related risk assessment, we feel the following can safely be done and help people to stay positive and reassured that we are undertaking everything possible for a safe and enjoyable experience. This policy will be reviewed daily and updated if or as and when required.

• Coronavirus regulations: frequently asked questions
• More advice and guidance on the teams about the latest advice for reducing the spread of infection and what to do if someone is ill:
  

Overview of what we know

• This virus spreads through close proximity to infected people and via touch or bodily fluids projected by coughing.
• Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 - a high temperature or fever over 37.8 degrees centigrade, a new continuous cough and/or a loss of sense of smell or taste.
• 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 concerned about your own health use the online NHS 111 service, your GP / a medical practitioner.
• Latest guidance in Wales Coronavirus regulations: frequently asked questions.
• It is suggested that being outside and keeping a distance of approximately 2 metres from people you are not already living with is safer than being indoors as the virus lives for only a short time of between 5 - 20 Min in UV light.
• We should generally minimise social contact as much as practicably possible, this would mean as much as possible keeping your close contact group as small as you can.
• Frontline services and rescue services such as RNLI, HMCG are currently providing their services but on a scaled down level and asking all to work well within capabilities minimising risk as much as possible.

CLIENTS

Booking and pre-session

• Where possible, prior to booking, customers should carry out a self assessment as follows:

1/ Have they or any of their group have or have had any Covid-19 like symptoms recently?

2/ Have they come into close contact with anyone who has had any Covid-19 like symptoms recently?

3/ Have they come into close contact with anyone who has been asymptomatic and proven positive for Covid-19 recently? If their answer is ‘yes’ to any of the above, they must contact us in the first instance.

• Bookings will be taken online and payments taken via the online system, this means there will be no need for close contact in the office.
• As of Febuary 2022 we have moved back to group sizes from pre restrictions this can be up to 15 people in a group but typically upto 10. If restrictions come back in to force we will folow the next 2 points to follow guidelines.
• Limiting bookings to smaller groups, ideally who already know each other and have had contact via the household or social group. For activities such as coasteering and rafting it is essential to follow guidance.
• Limiting numbers to two family groups on certain activities such as canoeing and kayaking - where groups can keep the advised safe distance.

Session plans and procedure

• Meeting groups in the open and issuing equipment in the open, Where this is not possible such as in supermarkets, we will advise people to keep to the recommended distance whilst waiting.
• Staff will also keep to the recommended distance and will dynamically assess if they have the virus or may potentially have been exposed to it. We will also instruct staff to check, log and advise of any changes in their health such as an increase in temperature and any other known Covid-19 like symptoms.
• The sessions will be operated in a manner that would be in keeping with the normal high standards of operation and safety. We will also add the additional safety measures to decrease the risk of the virus spreading.
• Normal PPE will be worn by clients and ‘Buddy Buddy’ checks encouraged.
• A video has been made for each piece of equipment and related safety items which will be shown to clients prior to undertaking the activity. Additionally, staff will apply visual checks to ensure all is being carried out correctly and safely.
• Sessions will be operated in a coaching manner more than that of a guided process. This will enable clients to look after both themselves and their group effectively and allow for the advised distancing measures to continue and be adhered to.

Covid-19 Changes to the session group size are as follows:

Our Guide will still ensure you are safe during the trip, but the manner in which this is done may be slightly adapted to ensure government guidelines are maintained. All other aspects of the trip will remain the same.This may change as more information becomes available. If you make a booking which changes due to different government advice, we will contact you regarding changes.

After session

• All equipment will be placed in a barrel or tub by the person that has been wearing it.
• The equipment will be washed in the disinfectant we have been using to clean equipment which is SAFE4 GREEN CONCENTRATE. This is designed to kill germs that can potentially spread via wearing equipment that others have worn.
• Paddles etc. will also be wiped down with the same solution.
• Staff will wear gloves for this process and will not touch faces or any other surfaces while the gloves are on.
• Where possible, the equipment will be stock rotated to prevent it from being used for at least a 24 hour period.
• All client information will be kept for 14 days, therefore, if a member of staff results in displaying the symptoms that are associated with contracting the virus or have proven positive for the virus, we can inform the client that they could have potentially been in contact with it.
• We will ask clients to inform us as a company if they later display the symptoms that are associated with contracting the virus or have proven positive for the virus whilst having been asymptomatic during the prior activity period.

STAFF

Staff pre-work deployment

• Where possible, prior to deployment, staff should carry out a self assessment as follows:

1/ Have they or any of their group have or have had any Covid-19 like symptoms recently?

2/ Have they come into close contact with anyone who has had any Covid-19 like symptoms recently?

3/ Have they come into close contact with anyone who has been asymptomatic and proven positive for Covid-19 recently? If their answer is YES to any of the above, they should ask whether it is safe to join the team? “NO” would likely be the outcome. It would be essential to inform and consult with their line manager for a final ‘yes or no’.

• Limiting the staff team who work with a client group to as small as is feasible, whilst still keeping the required safety standards high. Ideally keeping the teams to those who already know each other and have had prior contact.

In-work procedure relating to Covid 19

• All staff in the team who are in close contact will have been dynamically assessed if they have the virus or may have potentially been exposed to it.
• The sessions will be operated in a manner that would be in keeping with the normal high standards of operation and safety. We will also add the additional safety measures to decrease the risk of the virus spreading.
• The below list will be followed by staff to minimise the risk of the virus spreading:

1. On any journey, only essential stops should be carried out for example the acquiring of fuel. If they are acquiring fuel, gloves or tissue are to be used and disposed of straight away and the use of hand sanitiser utilised. Fuel pumps are considered to be high risk areas for contracting the virus.

2. Food and drink for the day should be sourced where possible at home to prevent unnecessary stops.

3. Ensure there are adequate resources to enable effective hand washing.

4. Keep a distance of 2 metres between people not in your regular staffing, unless they are from the same ‘social bubble’.

5. Follow ‘social distancing’ as per the Government’s advice.

6. Consider who you are working with who may be more vulnerable. If your activity could potentially involve close contact with vulnerable people, please discuss with a safety advisor before your deployment.

After the deployment

• Follow the Covid-19 Risk assessment.
• All client information will be kept for 14 days, therefore, if a member of staff results in displaying the symptoms that are associated with contracting the virus or have proven positive for the virus, we can inform the client that they could have potentially been in contact with it.