Covid-19 Risk Assessment

Managing risk

Objective: To reduce risk to the lowest reasonably practical level by taking preventative measures, in order of priority.

Increasing the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning.
Make every reasonable effort to comply with the social distancing guidelines set out by the government.
Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full, in relation to a particular activity, staff should consider whether that activity needs to continue and if so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission between their staff and/or students.
Further mitigating actions include:
– increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning.
– keeping the activity time involved as short as possible.
– using floor markings to separate dancers from each other
– using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible
– reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed teams or partnering’ (so each person works with only a few others)
Finally, if pupils must work face-to-face for a sustained period with more than a small group of fixed partners, then staff will need to assess whether the activity can safely go ahead. No one is obliged to work in an unsafe environment.

Manage contact

Objective: To minimise contact with surfaces, dancers and staff, other customers and contractors within the studio.

Steps to be taken:

Informing customers and contractors of guidance about visiting the premises prior to and at the point of arrival (including information on website and social media pages, on booking forms and in entrance ways).
Providing handwashing and hand sanitiser and encouraging staff and customers to wash their hands regularly.
Signage to ensure workers, staff and customers are aware of the need to avoid contact throughout the studio.
Fixing doors open that can be safely left open where feasible.
Where possible, reducing the need to open other objects, for example cupboards and drawers by making equipment that is permitted for use readily accessible.
Avoid paperwork being transferred by using online booking, letters etc. and registers on iPads.
Contactless payments where possible. Paying via bank transfer or card at reception and avoid cash payments where possible.

Manage capacity and overcrowding

Objective: To ensure distancing is possible by limiting the number of staff, customers and dancers able to access the studio.

Maximum capacity will be based on the government requirement for social distancing, nature of activities (i.e. if the activity is static vs. requiring a range of movement) and equipment layout and the configuration of the studio.

Particular attention will be given to ventilation and sufficient circulation space especially around equipment and between classes and teachers.

Steps to be taken:

A risk assessment for each area and the proposed activities to identify:
– The number of customers that can reasonably follow social distancing within the studio, taking into account total space, equipment as well as likely constraints (toilets and changing rooms) and pinch points
– Encourage pupils to arrive at the facility in dancewear and where possible to travel home to change. Use of changing rooms should be avoided where possible, although these will be available for participants with disabilities or special needs.
The number of staff and pupils will be limited in the studio overall and in any particular congestion areas.
We will be using a booking system to managing demand, so that no more than the desired number of customers, pupils and staff are in the building at any one time.
Staff will ensure social distancing measures are being adhered to by customers and pupils.
We will manage occupancy levels and changeover by reducing class sizes and amending the timetable.
Time between classes in order to appropriately clean the studio and equipment and to prevent waiting in groups
Only allowing pupils and customers who have booked in-advance to enter the studio.
Constantly assess if changes to procedures are required.

Moving in, out and through the studio.

Objective: To ensure distancing among staff, pupils, customers and contractors when moving within the studio.

Steps to be taken:

Using signage such as ground markings or being creative with other objects to mark out required social distance to allow controlled flows of people.
Using markings to guide staff and customers coming into or leaving the building.
Reducing congestion, by having having a staggered timetable and breaks between classes.

Contact whilst in the studio

Objective: To ensure distancing among staff, dancers and customers within the studio and during class.

Steps to be taken:

We will suspending or modifying activities that are not permitted or cannot be undertaken without contravening social distancing guidelines set by the Government.
Ensure social distancing can be maintained throughout the class where possible with the use of floor markings.
Adapting and enabling spaces to facilitate appropriate social distancing, including government guided spacing markings on the floor at points of assembly including entrance and reception spaces:
– Dance studios: temporary floor marking defining required spacing per pupil.
– Changing rooms: We ask that pupils arrive in dancewear and where possible to travel home to change. Use of changing rooms should be avoided where possible, although these are available for participants with disabilities or special needs.
We will avoid use of shared objects unless they can be cleaned or sanitised between users.

Supporting Test and Trace

We will be keeping a record of all pupils, customers and visitors in order to support NHS Test and Trace. We will only provide data to the NHS if required.

Parents and non-participating children

We are asking that parents and sibling of pupils do not enter the building without prior arrangement to ensure the correct amount of people are in the building.
Where an arrangement has been made they will be met at the front entrance by a member of studio staff.
Parents and customers who are accompanied by children are responsible for supervising them at all times and should follow social distancing guidelines.
Parents should wear face masks in the building unless medically exempt.

Providing and explaining available guidance

Objective: To minimise the contact among staff, pupils, customers and contractors resulting from visits to the studio.

Steps to be taken:

Providing clear guidance on social distancing and hygiene to people both before arrival and on arrival, through signage and guidelines sent via email.
Providing a set of guidelines for staff, parents and pupils to follow sent via email.
Review and amend guidelines inline with the current government expectations.

Social distancing in the studio

Objective: To have staff and customers maintain government guided social distancing wherever possible, including while arriving at and departing from the studio, while in the studio.

Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full the following mitigating actions will be taken to reduce the risk of transmission between staff, pupils and customers.

Mitigating actions include:

Further increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning
Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible
Using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible
Reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using fixed groups (so running a ballet & modern class back to back for pupils attending both lessons so that don’t need to change studios )

Arriving at and leaving the studio

Objective: To have staff, dancers and customers maintain social distancing wherever possible, during your journey to and from the studio, on arrival and departure and to enable handwashing upon arrival.

Steps to be Taken:

Staggered class times will mean arrival and departure times will be staggered to reduce crowding into and out of the studio.
Using markings and introducing one-way flow at entry and exit points.
Providing hand sanitiser at entry and exit points.

Moving around the studio

Objective: To have staff, pupils and customers maintain social distancing as far as possible while people travel through the studio.

Steps to be taken:

Reducing movement by discouraging non-essential trips within building, for example, back to back classes in the same studio where two classes are attended.
Introducing a one-way flow through the studio. Providing floor markings and signage to remind both staff and customers to follow to social distancing wherever possible.
Face masks must be worn when moving around the building.

Accidents, Security and other incidents

Objective: To prioritise safety during incidents

Steps to be taken:

In the case of fire, everyone in the building does not have to stay appropriately distanced if it would be unsafe.
In an emergency where first aid is required. Pay particular attention to sanitation measures, wear a face mask & gloves.
Any equipment used must be thoroughly sanitised and/or disposed of safely.
If a dancer shows signs of Covid-19 during a class they must be isolated until they can be collected by a member of their family.

Ventilation

Objective: Ventilation is an important part of mitigating against the transmission of COVID-19. Ventilation into the building should be optimised to ensure a fresh air supply is provided to all areas of the studio

Steps to be taken:

A maximum of 100 sqft per person is permitted so no more than 40 people may be at the studios at any one time.
Fresh air rather than reticulated air must be provided. Internal doors will be fixed open during classes including toilet doors when not in use. The main door will be fixed open during class change overs to help circulate fresh air.
Maintaining good ventilation in the studio by opening windows and doors frequently, where possible but without creating a draught.

Cleaning

Objective: To keep the workplace clean and prevent transmission by touching contaminated surfaces.

Steps to be taken:

Before reopening the studio all areas will be thoroughly sanitised and cleaned.
Removal of all non essential items.
Maintaining good ventilation in the studio by opening windows and doors frequently but without creating a draught.
Frequent cleaning the studios and surfaces that are touched regularly, including ballet barres, equipment.
Providing each studio with cleaning equipment for staff to wipe down equipment and door handles where doors have been closed during class.
Increasing frequency of normal cleaning procedures so floors and touch points are cleaned daily after use.
Clearing studios and removing waste and any left belongings to be thrown away at the end of each day.
When cleaning after a known or suspected case of COVID-19 refer to the Government guidelines for cleaning.

Hygiene – handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets

Objective: To help everyone keep good hygiene through the working day.

Maintaining hygiene, through handwashing, sanitisation facilities and toilets.

Steps to be taken:

Signs and posters will be displayed to build awareness of good handwashing technique, the need to increase handwashing frequency, avoid touching your face and to cough or sneeze into your arm.
Providing regular reminders and signage to maintain hygiene standards.
Frequent cleaning of all areas and equipment between use.
Clearing workspaces and removing waste and belongings from work areas at the end of day.
Thoroughly cleaning all fitness and non-personal equipment, including mats equipment after use – this can be done both by the customer or staff using spray and cloths provided and is in addition to the regular cleaning schedule.
Hand sanitiser will be available at multiple locations, throughout the studio to ensure frequently of use.
Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets to ensure they are kept clean and social distancing is achieved. Putting up a visible cleaning schedule can keep it up to date and visible.
Keep the facilities well ventilated, for example by fixing doors open where appropriate.
Providing more waste facilities and more frequent rubbish collection.
Disposable paper towels will be provided in handwashing facilities.

Changing rooms

Objective: To minimise the risk of transmission in changing rooms.

Steps to be taken:

We ask that pupils change at home rather than in changing rooms.
If the changing room is required a bookings system will be in place and must be booked in-advance.
Clear use and cleaning guidance for changing rooms to ensure they are kept clean and clear of personal items and that social distancing is achieved as much as possible.
Introducing enhanced cleaning of all facilities regularly during the day and at the end of the day.
Providing additional signposting in these areas to maintain social distancing.
Lockers are temporarily out of use.

August 2020