COVID-19 – Risk Assessment

Controls currently in place:

Haskins has done everything reasonably practicable to minimise the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus. Control measures have been put in place to minimise the risks of transmission from person to person.  Haskins are monitoring the Government guidance regarding keeping Shops and Branches safe during the pandemic.  The necessary actions are taken based on this updated guidance.

 

Vulnerable Employees

Employees identified, at the start of the pandemic in March, as extremely vulnerable, who were shielding have been recalled to the workplace as from the 1st August 2020.  This is because the Government brought the shielding period to a close.  However, vulnerable employees are working from home where possible.  If this is not possible, they have returned to work in low risk work environments and will be instructed to take extra care in exercising social distancing.

On the 12th August 2020 the Government  identified groups of individuals who are thought to be at higher risk of infection and/or an adverse outcome if infected.

The higher-risk groups include those who:

are older males

• have a high body mass index (BMI)
• have health conditions such as diabetes
• are from some Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

Employees identified as belonging to these groups will be treated as vulnerable and will be employed in low risk work environments where social distancing measures may be maintained.

Government shielding advice was amended due to the English 2nd lock down which started 4.11.20.  This started that clinically extremely vulnerable employees must work from home if possible and if not possible the should not attend work

 

Social Distancing

To maintain the 1 m plus social distance between people who are not part of the same household, numerous control measures have been put in place.

Layout changes across the garden centre buildings and sites have been made to maximise the amount of space between people when working or shopping.

Signage is displayed to remind everyone about the minimum 2m social distancing.

Employees have been instructed to remind customers of the requirement to maintain social distancing if they get too close.

The number of customers permitted in the garden centres is restricted to permit social distancing and is reviewed daily.  Automatic people counters were installed in the centres and restaurants at the beginning of July.  The numbers of customers  in the centre was monitored by customer services and the duty managers.

A Greeter is stationed on the Garden Centre entrance to control queuing customers and the customers entering the centre.

There are markers outside to show the 2m distance to be maintained in the queue.

To help restrict the number of customers there is an online Click and Collect function for customers to utilise.  This avoids them having to enter the garden centre building.

Barriers and signage have been erected to assist customers to enter and exit the garden centres using the correct doors.  This functionality was stopped mid September due to lack of demand.

In the centres customer flow has been indicated with markings on the floor to show a one-way system.

At the customer facing counters including the tills and customer service desks, screens have been erected and signage is in place indicating where the customer must wait and stand whilst being served to maintain a safe social distance.

When required the till queues are controlled by an employee who instructs customers which till to go to when safe to do so.

Till operators have been instructed on how to serve the customer and process their transaction whilst maintaining a safe social distance.

Employees serving customers at the Furniture Desk have been instructed on how to do this safely whilst adhering to the social distancing requirements.

The plant information centres are closed.

Measures have been put in place in the offices at the garden centre to ensure that social distancing may be maintained.  The number of employees working in the offices at any one time is restricted.  The training rooms will be made available for admin tasks to be completed.

Social distancing measures in place in the Goods In department and at the back door include signage to remind delivery drivers about maintaining the 2m social distance.   Usual practices for the off-loading of Delivery vehicles and signing of delivery paperwork have been amended to allow for social distancing.  All relevant employees have received training on this.

Layout changes have been made in the staff room areas to allow for social distancing to be adhered to.  Break times are staggered to ensure that only a safe number of employees use the break rooms at one time.  The Restaurant Function Rooms have been opened to provide space for the Restaurant staff to use during break times.

Replenishment of stock in the garden centres is completed before or after closing times wherever possible.   In October porta cabins were erected to provide the restaurant personnel with staff room facilities and the function rooms were reopened to the restaurant customers.

Employees tasks have been amended so that they can work alone where possible.  Only one till operator is permitted at the till point.  When it is necessary for more than one person to work in the cash office, social distancing is observed, and face coverings are worn.

Employees are encouraged to work in the same partnership where possible to reduce number of people each person has contact with.

In the second lockdown in November 20 only single household groups of customers were permitted to enter the centre.

Company policy was introduced mid September stating that face to face meeting must be avoided whenever possible and when 2 or more people are in a meeting for longer than 25 minutes face coverings must be worn by all parties.

In addition the Company launched a policy regarding recruitment interviews stating that candidates must complete a health screening form and face coverings must be worn and the interview should not last longer than 15 minutes where possible.

A policy was introduced regarding sharing cars when travelling on company business.  Only 2 persons are permitted in the car and must wear face coverings.

 

Training

When the Garden Centres reopened employees were issued a copy of ‘Operational Guidelines for Social Distancing Measures in our Centres’.  Employees returning to work or new personnel are given a familiarisation induction in the centres to explain the measures put in place in the centre regarding preventing the transmission of the virus.

The Grow Module entitled ‘Social Distancing’ is completed by all garden centre employees.

Safe Systems of Work regarding working in the garden centre and the use of PPE must be read by all relevant employees.

 

Current risk level

L = 3
S = 5
R = 15

Risk Rating: Medium