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Paneltex Policy – COVID-19

Updated 24th February 2022

 

Updated in this revision:

  • COVID control measures are no longer a legal requirement from 24.02.22
  • The purpose of this document is to retain reasonably practicable control measures which reduce the likelihood of COVID transmission in the workplace

 

1. Do you, or anyone you live with, have COVID symptoms?

  • If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have the COVID virus and pass it onto others.
  • A high temperature (devices to check this are available in the workplace)
  • A new and continuous cough (for more than an hour, or 3 episodes in 24 hours)
  • Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
  • Those who test positive will continue to be advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. After 5 days, they may choose to take a lateral flow test, followed by one the next day. If both are negative, and they do not have a temperature, they can safely return.
  • If you have symptoms but have not been tested, then please make efforts not to pass on the virus. Keep 2m distance where possible, avoid meetings and also wear a face covering if you have a cough and are with others.

 

2. If you’re at high risk

  • If you have previously been given guidance to shield, or you have any concerns with your vulnerability, then please contact HR.

 

3. Situations when face coverings may be worn to reduce the risk of virus transmission

  • Consider wearing a face covering if working in close proximity to people you are no normally in contact with.
  • Face coverings are available from H&S for those wishing to wear them.

 

4. Ensure good ventilation

  • Most meeting rooms are fitted with air conditioning. Please ensure this is in operation, or open the windows if air-con is not fitted.
  • Keep to a sensible number of people in meeting rooms and consider attending remotely via Teams if this is appropriate.

 

5. Advice on hygiene

  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue, or into your sleeve. Consider wearing a face covering.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water

 

6. Cleaning of the workplace

  • Additional sanitisation measures and more frequent cleaning have been implemented across the site since the start of the pandemic.
  • In the event of reported cases at work, sanitizing the area using a fogging device is available on request from H&S.

 

Paneltex Policy – COVID-19 – Visitors & Contractors

 

Advice for all visitors to Paneltex:

  • Please help to reduce the risk of virus transmission by following this advice.
  • Please consider wearing a face covering during your visit if you will be in close contact with others.

 

Are you visiting site to make a delivery or to deliver / collect a vehicle?

  1. You are delivering or collecting vehicles, in which case you may go directly to the Drivers Reception and follow the instructions of the Logistics team, or
  2. You are delivering materials; in which case you may proceed directly to the appropriate delivery point and follow the instructions of the Stores team.
  3. In these cases, you are requested to maintain 2m social distancing, wait as necessary where you are asked and leave site as soon as your delivery or collection is complete. If you need toilet or hand washing facilities please ask and you will be directed to the appropriate facility.

 

All other visitors please follow the instructions below:

  1. Please enter site through Somerden Road reception area only, unless:
  2. Upon entry in Reception, you must use the machine to test your temperature and ensure you do not have a fever – just step up to the screen and it will tell you the result. Leave site immediately if the screen indicates a ‘red’ result.
  3. Sign in using the tablet so we know you are on site and have a record in the event of the ‘track and trace’ procedure being initiated.
  4. Read the ‘Paneltex Policy – Covid-19’ displayed in Reception. This informs you of the controls measures in place and further advice on good practice (social distancing and face coverings) to comply with.
  5. For occasional visitors, Paneltex presently allows hosted visits only, even if you are familiar with the site. Please wait in Reception to be seen and stay with the person hosting you at all times. If you have not visited before then you may need an induction, please ask your host.
  6. For contractors working at Paneltex on a daily basis, you must still be assigned a host – let them know by email at the end of each day all of the areas you have visited, you do not need to be escorted.
  7. If you develop Covid-19 symptoms within 48 hours of visiting Paneltex, no matter where you believe it may have been contracted from, please let your Paneltex host know so we can initiate the ‘track and trace’ procedure if you test positive.

 

LOCATION: Paneltex, Hull ASSESSOR: Paul Siddle (and others specified below)
ASSESSMENT DATE: 12.07.2021 COMPANY POSITION: H&S Team
ASSESSMENT No.: COVID 19 Version 5 PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT DATE: 26.04.2021
 

HAZARDS
  

INITIAL RISK
  

CONTROLS
  

RESIDUAL RISK

 

ADDITIONAL CONTROLS

 
L HP R L HP R
  1 Covid -19 Virus 1.      Thinking about risk This document ensures that the risks to workers and visitors from COVID-19 are minimised through all reasonably practicable actions.   1.1   Managing Risk This risk assessment, along with the Paneltex COVID-19 Policy ensures that:- –        Workers and visitors who display symptoms stay at home and do not enter the premises. –        Handwashing and surface cleaning have been increased. –        All persons are making every reasonable effort to ensure 2m distancing is followed and home working is adopted where appropriate. –        Fixed teams are achieved through the relocating of people across the KIBP site units and with a Meetings Policy which promotes video conferencing. –        Music previously played in the workplace has been turned off for the duration of the COVID-19 control measures, reducing the potential to breach social distancing or to shout and risk aerosol transmission. –        People who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and were initially shielding, can consider working from home. –        If the employee cannot work from home, government guidelines will be adhered to within the workplace so they can return to work. Paneltex will make sure suitable arrangements are in place. –        The employee can get a shielding note to give to Paneltex from their GP. –        The Covid Committee meet regularly and with the employee H&S representative in order to make sure that all latest HM Government advice has been considered and that this assessment of risk in the workplace remains current. –        Face coverings were advised for a number of specific circumstances from 04.01.21 and in response to Government advice on a new more transmittable strain of Covid-19.   1.2   Sharing the results of this risk assessment This risk assessment is published on the Paneltex website and emailed to all employees through the personal email group. The Managing Director sends out specific communications through the same email group when there are significant changes to inform the employees about. Key manager and supervisors have attended briefing seminars on the Covid Policy run by the H&S Manager.   2.      Who should go to work? Paneltex has office workers spread across a large number of office facilities on site. Additional offices have been leased since the pandemic began and social distancing is fully complied with. The nature of the business means that there are few if any roles who can effectively work from home. However, all reasonable requests to work from home are considered.   2.1   Protecting people who are at higher risk The employee can get a shielding note to give to Paneltex from their GP in order to review the option to work from home where appropriate.   2.2   People who need to self-isolate The Paneltex Covid-19 Policy makes clear to individuals that they must not come to work if they, or someone who they are living with have symptoms. Self-isolation is from the day the test was taken, or if the symptoms start later, from the day the symptoms started. The isolation period is 10 days.   2.3   Equality Paneltex does not discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone because of a protected characteristic such as age, sex, disability, race or ethnicity.   2.4   Ventilation Air conditioning is fitted in the main office, this uses a proportion of fresh air as it circulates. An air conditioning system has been recently fitted in the training room and offices in the newly leased Unit 7. All other meeting rooms have windows which open to the outside and these are opened when meetings take place. Offices around the site have windows which open to the outside and should be opened when possible.   3       Social distancing for workers 2m distancing is advised throughout the business, floor decals have been placed in all Units and Smoking Areas to remind individuals of this. The central Canteen has been upgraded to a food preparation and delivery service, ordering is done remotely via an App. Additional smoking areas have been installed to allow for social distancing at break times. Offices, kitchens, meeting rooms etc have been assessed and maximum occupancy signs are clearly displayed on the doors. On occasion there will be some factory tasks that require people to be less than 2m distance and the following mitigating actions are advised when practicable: –        Paneltex face coverings worn. –        Further increase the frequency of hand washing and sanitising. –        Keep the activity time as short as possible. –        Screens – fitted in the newly created shop floor welfare areas. –        Avoid face to face working – work side to side or back to back. –        Fixed teams or partnering to reduce the number of people each person has contact with.   3.1   Coming to work and leaving work Multiple car parks are around the site and employees start work at a range of different times. Work is done in many factory and office units across the site, each are separate buildings. Factory operatives’ clock in and out of work using newly installed facial recognition time clocks, eliminating the need for contact. Employees commuting together in the same vehicle are advised to wear face coverings.   3.2   Moving around buildings and worksites Signs have been displayed at entrances to remind people not to enter if they can communicate by other means ie email or phone. The canteen was changed to a food preparation and delivery service, removing the need to congregate and queue there. Meetings are discouraged and the use of ‘Teams’ video conferencing encouraged – see Meetings Policy. Hand sanitiser dispensers are located at multiple points in all Units. Face coverings are advised when going into a building that is not the employees normal place of work.   3.3   Workplaces and workstations Workstations allow for 2m social distancing wherever possible and the mitigating actions in point 3 above should be applied if the 2m is not possible. Consistent pairing should be applied for any activities that require two persons.   3.4   Meetings Meetings are discouraged and the use of ‘Teams’ video conferencing encouraged – see Meetings Policy. Hand sanitiser dispensers are located at multiple points in all Units and should be used. 2m social distancing in meeting rooms is advised and windows opened if the room does not have air-conditioning. Maximum occupancy signs are displayed and should be observed. Face coverings are advised when in meeting rooms with others, though are optional when seated at 2m+ social distancing.   3.5   Common areas Social distancing is advised in common areas. Additional smoking areas have been installed, break times are staggered, welfare areas have been created on the shop floor and the tables have screens fitted. A Paneltex food delivery service has been maintained in order to minimise the need for employees to go off site. The App food delivery service has been refined to reduce to alternative usage of vending machines and the social mixing associated with this.   3.6   Accidents, security and other incidents Face coverings are available for first aiders and they should pay particular attention to hand washing and sanitisation afterwards. As a general guideline, people do not have to comply with social distancing guidelines if it would be unsafe to do so, for example during fire evacuation.   4       Managing customers, visitors and contractors Visits should be avoided, but where they are necessary then certain measures should be followed and are communicated to visitors through the following, see ‘Paneltex Policy – COVID-19 – Visitors & Contractors’. A digital sign in system has been installed, this provides a record of visitors and their nominated Paneltex host for track and trace purposes. The advice remains for visitors to wear face coverings at all times, though this is not mandatory from 19th July 2021. Contractors working full time at Paneltex are asked to follow the same rules on face coverings as for Paneltex employees.   5       Cleaning the workplace   5.1   Before reopening In the event that the site or any production area has been temporarily closed due to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, a clean will be conducted in accordance with ‘TBT PS001 Covid Cleaning Procedure’.   5.2   Keeping the workplace clean A more frequent cleaning regime has been implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the regular cleaning and sanitisation of frequent touch points such as door handles and meeting room tables etc. Additional sanitisation measures have been implemented through the Moore MedTech 1-03 sanitiser, applied by ULV Fogger to all surfaces, work equipment in the event of a possible or proven positive Covid case. Antibacterial wipes and sprays are available in all work areas for application by employees to high frequency touch points.   5.3 Hygiene – handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets Signs are placed in toilets to remind people of handwashing and the correct method of doing this. Hand sanitiser is available at multiple points around the site, particularly at entrances. The services of Greens professional cleaners was engaged at the start of the pandemic to ensure that all toilets are cleaned to the correct standard and required frequency.   5.4   Changing rooms Changing rooms are regularly cleaned and social distancing must also be observed by those using these areas.   5.5   Handling goods, materials and onsite vehicles This is covered by the ‘Paneltex Policy Covid 19 – Visitors & Contractors’.   6    PPE and face coverings PPE is not required in order to protect against COVID-19 at Paneltex for work activities, though it has been provided to cleaners as part of the procedures for cleaning work areas after a suspected or positive case. Paneltex branded face coverings have been made available to all employees and clear advice has been given on when these should be used. The document ‘Paneltex Branded Face Covering – Instructions’ makes clear the correct practice for wearing them.     7       Workforce management   7.1 Shift patterns and outbreaks As far as possible, workers are split into teams and shift groups, these are further split by separate building units across the KIBP site. Records of who is working on which shift are kept for more than the 21 days required by NHS Test and Trace. In the event of a suspected outbreak in the workplace, the single point of contact at Paneltex, below, will contact the following authorities to report it:  (Paul Siddle)   Public Health England PHE North Yorkshire and the Humber Health Protection Team, Block 2 The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ Phone: 0114 304 9843   Hull City Council Contact Hull City Council Public Protection Team by sending an email to foodandhealth&safety@hullcc.gov.uk   HSE RIDDOR report online.   Any decision by the above authorities to take action affecting Paneltex operations must be made in conjunction with the Managing Director.   7.2 Work related travel Unnecessary work-related travel should be avoided. When necessary, the number of people in a vehicle from outside of your household should be minimised. Advice is to wear face coverings where more than one person is present. Drivers collecting finished vehicles now report to a separate driver’s reception unit and the associated exchange of documentation has been minimised.   7.3 Communications This risk assessment is displayed on the Paneltex website and has also been copied to all employees through the personal email group, along with related message from the Managing Director. The ‘Paneltex Policy – COVID-19’ is displayed on noticeboards and again is copied through the email group when changes are made. The Policy and the requirement for it has been communicated in seminars to key managers and supervisors, recognising that their diligence is vital in ensuring full compliance by all employees. The SAS team H&S representatives are chosen by their respective teams and have in turn chosen two representatives to liaise with the Covid Committee and discuss and agree any related changes to working arrangements.   8       Inbound and outbound goods Social distancing should be maintained during deliveries and drivers are encouraged to stay in their vehicles where this does not compromise their safety. Details can be found in the ‘Paneltex Policy – Covid 19 – Visitors and Contractors’. Compliance with HM Government ‘Working safely during COVID-19 in factories, plants and warehouses’. This revision was rewritten to align with the above document, it follows the structure and all content, ensuring control measures follow the latest guidance.   This risk assessment has been completed in conjunction with the following management representatives: –        Managing Director –        Finance Director –        Operations Director –        HR Consultant –        HSE Manager   The risk assessment has also been completed in consultation with the following employee representatives: –         Andy Bould –         Allan Hill
2 Health and Wellbeing 1.      Monitor and support wellbeing of people who are working from home 2.      Two mental health first aiders on site
3 Coronavirus spread 1.      Test and trace are incorporated in the Paneltex Policy – COVID-19 document and copied to all employees. 2.      The implementation of a trace process at Paneltex, in order that there is no unnecessary delay informing contacts to isolate.

 

LOCATION: Paneltex Martrans ASSESSOR: Paul Siddle (and others named below)
ASSESSMENT DATE: 01.10.2020 COMPANY POSITION: Health and Safety Manager
ASSESSMENT No.: COVID-19 Rev 6 PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT DATE: 05.06.2020
 

HAZARDS
 
INITIAL RISK
 
CONTROLS
 
RESIDUAL RISK
 
ADDITIONAL CONTROLS

 
L HP R L HP R
  1 Covid-19 Virus 1. Thinking about risk This document ensures that the risks to workers and visitors from COVID-19 are minimised through all reasonably practicable actions. 1.1   Managing Risk This risk assessment, along with the Paneltex COVID-19 Policy ensures that:

  • Workers and visitors who display symptoms stay at home and do not enter the premises.
  • Handwashing and surface cleaning have been increased.
  • All persons are making every reasonable effort to ensure 2m distancing is followed and home working is adopted where appropriate.
  • Fixed teams are achieved through the relocating of people across the KIBP site units and with a Meetings Policy which promotes video conferencing.
  • Music previously played in the workplace has been turned off for the duration of the COVID-19 control measures, reducing the potential to breach social distancing or to shout and risk aerosol transmission.
  • People who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and were initially shielding, can consider working from home.
  • If the employee cannot work from home, government guidelines will be adhered to within the workplace so they can return to work. Paneltex will make sure suitable arrangements are in place.
  • The employee can get a shielding note to give to Paneltex from their GP.
  • The Directors and H&S Manager meet regularly, and with the employee H&S representative, in order to make sure that all latest HM Government advice has been considered and that this assessment of risk in the workplace remains current.

1.2 Sharing the results of this risk assessment This risk assessment is published on the Paneltex website and emailed to all employees through the personal email group. The Managing Director sends out specific communications through the same email group when there are significant changes to inform the employees about. Key manager and supervisors have attended briefing seminars on the COVID-19 Policy run by the H&S Manager. 2. Who should go to work? Paneltex has office workers spread across a large number of office facilities on site. Additional offices have been leased since the pandemic began and social distancing is fully complied with. The nature of the business means that there are few if any roles who can effectively work from home. However, all reasonable requests to work from home are considered. 2.1 Protecting people who are at higher risk The employee can get a shielding note to give to Paneltex from their GP in order to review the option to work from home where appropriate. 2.2 People who need to self-isolate The Paneltex COVID-19 Policy makes clear to individuals that they must not come to work if they, or someone who they are living with, have symptoms, and the number of days to do so. 2.3 Equality Paneltex does not discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone because of a protected characteristic such as age, sex, disability, race or ethnicity. 2.4 Ventilation Offices have windows which open to the outside and should be opened when possible. 3 Social distancing for workers 2m distancing is required throughout the business, floor decals have been placed in all Units, Canteen and Smoking Shelters to remind individuals of this. Offices, kitchens etc. have been assessed and Maximum Occupancy signs are clearly displayed on the doors. On occasion there will be some factory tasks that require people to be less than 2m distance and the following mitigating actions should be used when practicable:

  • Paneltex face coverings worn.
  • Further increase the frequency of hand washing and sanitising.
  • Keep the activity time as short as possible.
  • Avoid face-to-face working – work side-to-side or back-to-back.
  • Fixed teams or partnering to reduce the number of people each person has contact with.

3.1 Coming to work and leaving work Work is done in a number of factory and office units across the site. Factory operatives’ clock in and out of work using newly installed facial recognition time clocks, eliminating the need for contact. 3.2 Moving around buildings and worksites Signs have been displayed at entrances to remind people not to enter if they can communicate by other means, i.e. email or phone. Meetings are discouraged and the use of video conferencing encouraged – see Meetings Policy. Hand sanitiser dispensers are located at multiple points in all Units. 3.3 Workplaces and workstations Workstations allow for 2m social distancing wherever possible and the mitigating actions in Point 3 above should be applied if the 2m is not possible. Consistent pairing should be applied for any activities that require two persons. 3.4 Meetings Meetings are discouraged and the use of ‘Teams’ video conferencing encouraged – see Meetings Policy. Hand sanitiser dispensers are located at multiple points in all Units and should be used. 2m social distancing in meeting rooms must be applied and windows opened if the room does not have air-conditioning. Maximum Occupancy signs are displayed and must be observed. 3.5 Common areas Social distancing must also be maintained in common areas. 3.6 Accidents, security and other incidents Face coverings are available for first aiders and they should pay particular attention to hand washing and sanitisation afterwards. As a general guideline, people do not have to comply with social distancing guidelines if it would be unsafe to do so, for example during fire evacuation. 4 Managing customers, visitors and contractors Visits are to be avoided, but where they are necessary then certain measures should be followed and are communicated to visitors through the following, see ‘Paneltex Policy – COVID-19 – Visitors & Contractors’. 5 Cleaning the workplace 5.1 Before reopening In the event that the site or any production area has been temporarily closed due to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, a clean will be conducted in accordance with ‘TBT PS001 Covid Cleaning Procedure’. 5.2 Keeping the workplace clean A more frequent cleaning regime has been implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the regular cleaning and sanitisation of frequent touch points such as door handles and meeting room tables etc. Additional sanitisation measures are to be implemented by 19.10.20 through the application of Moore MedTech 1-03 sanitiser by ULV Fogger to all surfaces, work equipment and vehicles daily. Antibacterial wipes and sprays are available in all work areas for application by employees should it be deemed necessary in between fogging. 5.3 Hygiene – handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets Signs are placed in toilets to remind people of handwashing and the correct method of doing this. Hand sanitiser is available at multiple points around the site, particularly at entrances. The services of Pure Water professional cleaners has been engaged to ensure that all toilets and non-factory areas are cleaned to the correct standard and required frequency. 5.4 Changing rooms Changing rooms are regularly cleaned and social distancing must also be observed by those using these areas. 5.5 Handling goods, materials and onsite vehicles This is covered by the ‘Paneltex Policy COVID-19 – Visitors & Contractors’. 6 PPE and face coverings PPE is not required in order to protect against COVID-19 at Paneltex for work activities, though it has been provided to cleaners as part of the procedures for cleaning work areas after a suspected or positive case. Paneltex-branded face coverings have been made available to all employees should they wish to use one, the document ‘Paneltex Branded Face Covering – Instructions’ makes clear the correct practice for wearing them. 7 Workforce management 7.1 Shift patterns and outbreaks As far as possible, workers are split into teams and shift groups, these are further split by separate building units across the site. Records of who is working on which shift are kept for more than the 21 days required by NHS Test and Trace. In the event of a suspected outbreak in the workplace, there is a single point of contact at Paneltex who will contact the following authorities to report it: (Paul Siddle) Public Health England PHE North Yorkshire and the Humber Health Protection Team, Block 2 The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ Phone: 0114 304 9843 Hull City Council Contact Hull City Council Public Protection Team by sending an email to foodandhealth&safety@hullcc.gov.uk HSE RIDDOR report online. Any decision by the above authorities to take action affecting Paneltex operations must be made in conjunction with the Managing Director. 7.2 Work-related travel Unnecessary work-related travel must be avoided. When necessary, the number of people in a vehicle from outside of your household should be minimised. All must wear face coverings where more than one person is present. Drivers collecting finished vehicles should not enter the building and the associated exchange of documentation has been minimised. 7.3 Communications The group risk assessment is displayed on the Paneltex website and has also been copied to all employees through the personal email group, along with related message from the Managing Director. The ‘Paneltex Policy – COVID-19’ is displayed on noticeboards and again is copied through the email group when changes are made. The Policy and the requirement for it has been communicated in seminars to key managers and supervisors by the H&S Manager, recognising that their diligence is vital in ensuring full compliance by all employees. Martrans has two employee representatives, they help formulate the risk assessment, as well as communicate it and ensure ongoing compliance. 8 Inbound and outbound goods Social distancing should be maintained during deliveries and drivers are encouraged to stay in their vehicles where this does not compromise their safety. Details can be found in the ‘Paneltex Policy – COVID-19 – Visitors and Contractors’.

 Compliance with HM Government ‘Working safely during COVID-19 in factories, plants and warehouses’. This revision was rewritten to align with the above document, it follows the structure and all content, ensuring control measures follow the latest guidance.   This risk assessment has been completed in conjunction with the following management representatives: –       Managing Director –       Finance Director –       Operations Director –       HR Consultant –       General Manager: Trailer Manufacturing   The risk assessment has also been completed in consultation with the following employee representatives: –       Rob Maltby –       Gary Barlow
2 Health and Wellbeing 1. Monitor and support wellbeing of people who are working from home 2. Two mental health first aiders on site
3 Coronavirus spread 1. Test and trace are incorporated in the Paneltex Policy – COVID-19 document and copied to all employees. 2. The implementation of a trace process at Paneltex, in order that there is no unnecessary delay informing contacts to isolate.

 

LOCATION: Paneltex Somers, Long Stratton ASSESSOR: Russell Cooper, Paul Siddle
ASSESSMENT DATE: 15.05.2020 COMPANY POSITION: General Manager, H&S Team
ASSESSMENT No.: COVID 19 PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT DATE: 13.05.2020
HAZARDS
INITIAL RISK
CONTROLS
RESIDUAL RISK
ADDITIONAL CONTROLS

 

L

 HP

R

L

 HP

R
1 COVID -19 Virus infection which can potentially result in serious illness or death of employee or transmission to others and their serious illness or death.

  3

   5

 15

 1. Since the outbreak of the virus, the Group H&S team have been keeping management informed of the latest Government, NHS and HSE guidance. 2. The Directors meet regularly to review this advice, discuss the impact on the business and ensure the risk assessment reflects this and the Paneltex Covid-19 Policy updated accordingly. 3. Employees are kept informed regularly through messages from the Managing Director, sent to all employees’ personal email addresses on a group email, set up in response to the virus. 4. Home working has been encouraged and implemented where possible. 5. Cohorting of employees into groups to increase social distancing and the potential for chain of contact reduced, including moving office staff into available offices across the site. 6. Times when employees arrive, leave and take breaks have been assessed and existing arrangements have already minimised social distancing and contact. 7. Vulnerable people having NHS instruction letters or shielding to protect family members have been assessed by the HR Officer and arrangements have been made for them to stay at home where appropriate. 8. If any person is experiencing NHS 111 defined Covid-19 like symptoms, they must not attend work, or if it starts at work must leave immediately. They must follow the NHS rules for self-isolation, along with family members (and the same in response to their symptoms). 9. If employee develops symptoms, they must immediately leave site, self-isolate and follow NHS advice and contact their line supervisor 10. Compliance with the Paneltex Policy Covid-19 is mandatory and will (and has already) result in disciplinary action if not complied with. 11. The requirement for hourly paid employees to clock on and off using hand scanners has been eliminated in response to the virus, instead recording attendance on timesheets. 12. As ‘Key Workers’, Paneltex has registered for priority government Covid-19 testing and employees are encouraged to use this facility if they are at home with symptoms – tests are booked through the HR Officer. 13. Social distancing is promoted by the positioning of ‘2m Distance’ floor stickers in all buildings on site. Employees are encouraged to report any production process where this is not being achieved so alternatives can be evaluated. 14. If after assessment the 2m distancing cannot be achieved on certain processes, operatives are encouraged to work side-by-side or facing away from each other. 15. Non-essential trips have been eliminated, very few now take place, replaced by video conferencing (the Company has invested in Microsoft Teams in response to the virus). 16. Meetings are only held if the use of email and phone calls is not sufficient. 17. The Somers conference room is to be used by a max of 3 people at anyone time. The window is opened to allow for fresh air circulation. 18. The rest areas have been reconfigured to keep the 2m distancing. 19. Toilets are cleaned to a high standard on a regular daily basis by Minster Cleaning, who were engaged in response to the virus. 20. The cleaning regime for the offices, kitchen, canteen areas and factory units has been increased and done daily to a documented plan. 21. Physical contact is avoided where possible, particularly with delivery drivers from outside of the business. 22. Greetings involving handshakes (or hugs?) have been discontinued. 23. All employees are encouraged to practice good hygiene at all times, with frequent hand washing using soap and water (20 secs) and/or hands sanitisers. 24. Employees are encouraged to wash hands at more regular intervals, particularly when moving between different buildings on site. 25. Mandatory hand washing signage in toilets. 26. Employees are allowed adequate time for hand washing time throughout the day and are encouraged to do so. 27. Information posters of correct hand washing and use of hand sanitisers in all toilets and hand sanitising stations 28. Adequate supply of soap and running water on site. 29. Supply of hand sanitiser gel in all units on site and in reception. 30. Posters around the site reminding employees to avoid touching of eyes, nose or mouth 31. Covid 19 cleaning plan in place for the event that an employee starts symptoms at work and their workplace has to be disinfected. 32. Employees informed about cough etiquette to be followed at all times and used tissues to be placed in the bins provided. 33. Wearing a face covering is optional and is not currently required by law, including the workplace. If employees choose to wear one it is important to:

  • Wash hands before putting the covering on and when taking it off.
  • When wearing, avoid touching your face as it could contaminate the covering with germs.
  • Change your face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it.
  • Wash in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

2

 5

10
2 Health and Wellbeing 1. Managers monitor the wellbeing of people who are working from home and support their needs

L = LIKELIHOOD, HP = HARM POTENTIAL, R = RISK, C = CAUTION, S = SUPERVISION, A = ADDITIONAL RISK CONTROLS REQUIRED (For further information please refer to RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX)