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Risk assessment for Covid19 - October 2021.docx
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RISK ASSESSMENT- GUIDING QUESTIONS / ACTION PLAN

POTENTIAL THREAT/EMERGENCY  

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that was originally identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Effective 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO), has declared that COVID-19 outbreak as a ‘pandemic’- a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the speed and scale of transmission of the virus in countries around the world, including Australia.

COVID-19 is transmitted from someone who is infected with the virus to others in close contact through contaminated droplets spread by coughing or sneezing or by contact with contaminated hands or surfaces. According to Department of Health, the time of exposure to the virus and when symptoms first occur is anywhere from 2-14 days.

OUR OBJECTIVES

  1. Control the internal and external environments
  2. Remove/mitigate the risk of spreading the infection
  3. Establish routines to control the risk and continue to deliver the education and care program
  4. Ensure staff are aware and confident to facilitate the new routines

Issue

  ACTION PLAN

Information and crisis status reports

Sources of information to stay updated with crisis developments.

 

Communication of relevant information to staff and families.

  • email updates to staff and families

Australian Government Department of Health- Coronavirus (COVID-19) campaign resources

Control the environment – staff / children / parents / visitors

Our Service implements procedures as suggested in the Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (Fifth Edition) developed by the Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council as part of our day-to-day operation. We also subscribe to the guidelines set out by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) 

Steps to ensure staff members entering the service at the start of each day have been screened and engage in appropriate hygiene and preventative practices.

All staff diligently practice and model personal hygiene measures such as: regular hand washing and cough and sneeze etiquette.

Staff are required to have two doses of the vaccination for COVID-19.  We have recommended that all staff receive the seasonal influenza vaccination.

Staff members are asked to declare that:

  • they have not come into close contact with anyone with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in the past 14 days
  • they will advise the Service if they, or anyone in their family, develops any symptoms of the virus or receives a positive result of the virus whilst in isolation
  • if they begin to display symptoms such as: fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath, they must seek urgent medical attention to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19 and not attend our Service under any circumstance

Staff are to wear a mask both indoors and outdoors as currently required under the Public Health Order. They sign in and out using the Centre QR code

Staff members are

  • discouraged to use public transport if possible
  • required to wash their hands upon arrival at the Service

Locations for pick-up and hygiene routines.

Parents are not permitted to enter the service past the sign out station. They must wear a face mask, stay outside the gate and sign in and out using the QR code

Parents continue to be encouraged to use the hygiene station and practice social distancing during the pick-up process

What will I do in the event of any child, educator, staff member or visitor attending our Service is suspected or confirmed to have the infection?

In the case of a sick child, initial steps taken will be as per our Sick Child Policy.

If any staff member or visitor is displaying symptoms of any infectious illness, they must be isolated from others in the Service immediately and requested to leave the premises.  All surfaces and resources touched by anyone who is suspected to have an infection must be cleaned with soap and water followed by disinfectant.

The Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor is mandated by law to notify the Public Health Unit or Health Information hotline on 1800 020 080 of any confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19. In addition, the Approved Provider must also notify the Regulatory Authority in their state or territory within 24 hours.

Call 131 450 for translating and interpreting service

Health Direct

1800 022 222

Control the environment - inside

Routine hygiene and cleaning measures all staff will follow while in the service.

The following hygiene measures will be strictly reinforced on a daily basis:

  • educators and staff must adhere to our Handwashing Policy at all times
  • children are closely supervised when washing and drying hands
  • practical measures are implemented to encourage physical distancing
  • educators and staff must adhere to effective food preparation and food handling procedures
  • educators will wash their hands or use alcohol-based sanitiser, before wearing gloves and wash their hands after wearing gloves
  • frequently touched surfaces and objects such as taps, door handles, light switches, and toys will be cleaned more frequently as required using detergent and water followed by disinfectant solutions
  • personal items such as phones and glasses and workstation equipment such as keyboards, iPads, are cleaned and disinfected frequently (using isopropyl alcohol wipes)
  • cleaning contractors will hygienically clean the Service

What are the common and logical points of contact during normal operations?

To support the routines listed above hygiene stations and signage will be placed in strategic locations around the Service.

This will include posters for: hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, disposal of tissues/hand towel, reduce the risk and physical distancing reminders amongst others. 

Facilitating a form of social/physical distancing without compromising supervision and engagement.

To support the concept of social/physical distancing within the early education and care setting we will implement measures to minimise the risk of exposure as reasonably practicable:

  • where possible, outdoor play will be promoted within our Service to provide children with additional personal space
  • large groups will be monitored to provide flexible learning to ensure groups are smaller in both the indoor and outdoor environment
  • Although children are exempt from the requirement to wear face masks, we will encourage the wearing of masks where practicable until a change in advice.

Department of Health Social Distancing in schools and Social Distancing in Early Childhood 

Ventilation

Good ventilation will be maintained by opening doors on both sides of the hall

How we communicate with children in respect of questions about COVID-19 or changes in routine that become evident to them.

Information provided to children about COVID-19 will be age appropriate and sensitive to their emotional wellbeing.  Educators will both acknowledge children’s concerns and be open to discussions about COVID-19:

  • Educators will inform children about the virus and emphasise preventative measures such as handwashing, use of tissues, cough and sneeze techniques and limiting touching other children’s faces.
  • posters to demonstrate correct handwashing methods will be referred to and educators will model techniques.
  • children’s emotional well-being will be closely monitored by all educators and staff and any concerns communicated with parents and families.
  • children’s questions will be respected and supported.

Family engagement and retention

What regular information we provide to ensure we retain their trust in our approach to manage the crisis.

  • Strategies the Service has implemented to ensure high priority of health, safety and wellbeing for all children and staff
  • Alert families of any changes to routines and/or practices- eating times, menus, celebrations and programs that are currently postponed- visiting shows, excursions
  • Provide families with information about current ‘fee free’ period and when this ends

Continuity of educators and staff

Manage an incident of a worker presenting symptoms while on shift

The staff member should be sent home as soon as possible and avoid any unnecessary contact with other staff or children.

Notify and seek advice through local Public Health Unit 

Contact your state Regulatory Authority or notify through NQAIT system

Clean and disinfect all areas staff member has contacted

Manage a situation whereby we have learnt that a worker has come in close contact with person infected with COVID-19

Employee must self-isolate for 14 days Department of Health Isolation guidelines 

Supporting the health of our employees

  • Ensure staff have access to alcohol-based sanitiser and wipes; disposable gloves, tissues and masks if required.
  • Encourage frequent hand washing.
  • Ensure robust infection control and cleaning procedures
  • Promote self-care through getting adequate sleep and rest, healthy eating and exercise
  • Ensure staff who are sick with influenza-like symptoms not attend service- be transparent with all staff regarding entitlements and access to leave

Relationships with staff members and staff wellbeing moving forward.

Our Service is committed to provide leadership by implementing strategies to support the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees.

These include:

  • maintaining strong and supportive relationships with all staff members (including staff on leave)
  • providing accurate and up to date information from reliable sources related to: COVID-19, health and safety of staff, employment
  • providing a workplace environment and systems that are supportive of employee health and wellness
  • providing opportunities for staff discussion- individually and as a whole staff
  • identifying common areas of concern and prioritising these
  • acknowledging stressful situations for employees, both at work and at home
  • showing sensitivity and empathy to the feelings of individual staff members
  • time for programming, mentoring sessions and capacity building
  • providing access to support agencies, including counselling services (Beyond Blue)
  • encouraging employees to support colleagues during difficult situations

Updated 15 October 2021