info@nlgrouptherapy.co.uk
North London Group Therapy

NLGT Risk Assessment

Please see Guidelines for Face-to-Face Working at NLGT – Version: July 2020 in conjunction with this Risk Assessment.
 
What are the hazards?
Who might be harmed and how?
What are you already doing to control the risks?
What further action do you need to take to control the risks?
Who needs to carry out the action?
When is the action needed by?
Done
Contamination of the key pad on main door
Practitioners
Regular cleaning of premises.  Signage encouraging everyone hand sanitise/wash hands on entry. Provision of hand sanitiser.
Check front door and internal key pads are included in cleaning protocol and with adequate substances.
Tim Foskett
17th July 2020
Y
Contamination through clients using buzzer to gain entry
Cients
Regular cleaning of premises.  Signage encouraging everyone hand sanitise/wash hands on entry. Provision of hand sanitiser.
 
New guidelines require clients not to use the buzzer but to text their practitioner when they arrive.
 
As a back up, check buzzer is included in cleaning protocol and with adequate substances.
Tim Foskett
17th July 2020
Y
Contamination of key pads on internal doors and internal buzzers/entryphones in rooms
Practitioners
Regular cleaning of premises.  Signage encouraging everyone hand sanitise/wash hands on entry. Provision of hand sanitiser.
New guidelines advise all practitioners to sanitise buzzers, door handles, entryphones etc when they finish their slot.  Disinfectant spray will be in each room and hand sanitiser can be used as a back up
Tim Foskett
17th July 2020
Y
Contamination of toilet facilities
Practitioners or clients
Regular cleaning of premises with particular attention to contact surfaces.  Signage encouraging everyone to wash their hands. Provision of hand sanitiser.
Check toilet doors, taps, sinks are included in cleaning protocol and with adequate substances.
Tim Foskett
17th July 2020
Y
Contamination between clients and therapists sharing counselling space
Practitioners or clients
Guidelines written and circulated to all practitioners about working face to face.
Advising to maintain two metres distance with good ventilation.  If that is not possible to wear masks.
Two metres distance between clients and therapists is possible in all rooms except the New Room.
New guidelines include protocol for practitioners to sanitise rooms when they finish their slot.
Tim Foskett
17th July 2020
Y
Contamination by individuals passing each other on the stairs or landing
Practitioners or clients
Advising all practitioners and clients to move DOWNWARDS on the stairs if they encounter someone on the stairs and use the next available landing or hallway to maintain one metre distance.  To communicate clearly if they need each other to pause or move.
Put signs on the stairs saying move Downwards if you encounter someone on the stairs or landing.
Tim Foskett
17th July 2020
Y
Contamination by contact with stair rails and door handles
Practitioners or clients
Regular cleaning of premises.  Signage encouraging everyone hand sanitise/wash hands on entry. Provision of hand sanitiser.
Check stair rails and door handles are included in cleaning protocol and with adequate substances.
Tim Foskett
17th July 2020
Y
Contamination from waste material in bins
Practitioners or clients
Bins to be emptied every day.
Clients and practitioners to wrap potentially infectious waste in a tissue and deposit into the bin.  Bin-liners to be included in emptying.
Cleaners
Ongoing
 
Contamination through shared crockery and cutlery
Practitioners or clients who use crockery or cutlery
For individual or couples work, advise practitioners that crockery and cutlery should be not used by clients.  And if used by practitioners, is washed using hot soapy water.  Option for practitioners who are at risk use their own crockery and cutlery, and take it home with them or leave it clearly marked in a sealed Tupperware.
 
For groupwork, should that
become possible, advise clients and practitioners that there may be some risk of contamination from sharing crockery and cutlery and advise them to assess their own levels of risk and make their own decisions; they may wish to bring their own crockery and cutlery.  Request all used crockery and cutlery is washed in hot soapy water.
Communicate this to Practitioners in new guidelines.
Alfred Hurst
17th July 2020
Y