COVID-19 Infection Control Guidelines


covid-19 infection control guidelines | corona virus update

Introduction

The government wants to slowly reopen the country and the economy whilst protecting the health of the population. Furthermore, the government has acknowledged that ‘the risk of transmission outdoors is significantly lower’.

Jack Raven Bushcraft is committed to working in a way that reduces the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) as much as possible and so has produced these COVID-19 Infection Control Guidelines.

Jack Raven Bushcraft will adhere to UK Government guidelines in the conduct of its business.

If you are symptomatic

No member of staff (whether employed, contracted or a volunteer) or customer should attend any Jack Raven Bushcraft course or activity if they:

  • Are unwell with coronavirus symptoms,
  • Are told to self-isolate by a government test and trace service, because they’ve been in close contact with someone who’s testing positive,
  • Need to self-isolate because someone in their household has symptoms.

Developing coronavirus symptoms during a course

If any staff or customer develops symptoms of coronavirus whilst attending a Jack Raven Bushcraft course, that person must:

  • Tell us immediately and isolate from the rest of the course until they are able to leave,
  • Avoid touching anything, and wash their hands regularly,
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue and put it in a bin, or if they do not have tissues, cough and sneeze into the crook of their elbow,
  • Avoid using the toilet if possible,
  • Avoid using public transport to travel home, if possible.

If any member of staff or customer has helped someone who was taken unwell with coronavirus symptoms, they do not need to go home unless they develop symptoms themselves.

They should wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after any contact with someone who is unwell.

Cleaning the area with normal household disinfectant after someone with symptoms has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

All staff members and customers must follow the UK Government’s test and trace policy.

Developing coronavirus symptoms after a course

If any staff member or customer develops coronavirus symptoms after attending they must follow the UK Government’s test and trace policy.

Working from home

Jack Raven Bushcraft Ltd is an outdoor activity provider.

Administration work is carried out from home, activities are carried out in woodland.

Risk assessment

Hazard and to whom (children/adults) Risk Control measures to reduce the risk
Spread of COVID-19 during activities/training

Contracting the virus within a group setting

Further cross-contamination within the community

Note: The risk factor for children and younger people (without underlying health conditions) is significantly less than for older people (including staff) and the wider community (where up to 1/3 of the population have underlying health conditions).

The risk factor for clinically vulnerable people is very high and so the control measures must be implemented rigorously in order to lower the residual risk.

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We are informing people to:

  • Follow the NHS recommendations.
  • Not attend the sessions if they fall into one or more of the vulnerable groups listed by the NHS (including drop off and pick up).
  • Stay away if they or any member of their household has a high temperature or even a mild cough

We are actively and regularly:

  • Designing sessions that take COVID-19 into account.
  • Omitting equipment that is shared or that encourages close contact with the face.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces (brew kit, jerry cans, cooking equipment, toilet, equipment).
  • Informing ourselves of updated HSE & Govt advice and following accordingly.
  • Providing paper towels for drying hands.
  • Providing correct hand cleaning facilities.
  • Keeping an open and informed dialogue with participants.
  • We are informing people to seek further guidance about community transmission to more vulnerable groups (see HSE.ie guidance).

Social distancing

Government mandated social distancing measures must be adhered to wherever possible.  Where it isn’t possible face coverings or masks must be worn.

Managing transmission

Wherever possible equipment must not be shared, for example knives, folding saws, fire steels.

Where this is not possible, for example tarpaulins, all staff and customers must wash their hands before and after the activity.

Hand washing

Handwashing is essential and must be carried out by all staff and customers on a regular basis using soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds but at least:

  • Prior to an activity starting,
  • As soon as an activity has finished,
  • Prior to eating,
  • Prior to making a drink or touching the kettle,
  • Prior to touching any jerry can,
  • Before and after going to the toilet.

Paper towels/blue roll should be used for drying hands and then disposed of, ideally in the fire.

Handwashing stations will be available at the following locations within the main camp:

  • Adjacent to the brew box,
  • Adjacent to the kitchen area,
  • Adjacent to the main activity area,
  • Outside the toilet.

Cleaning

Daily cleaning

Any person undertaking daily cleaning must wear, at a minimum, gloves and apron.  Hands must be washed using soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds once PPE has been removed.

Hard work surfaces must be cleaned with paper cloths and a combined detergent disinfectant solution at a dilution of 1,000 parts per million available chlorine

Areas/items to be cleaned every day:

  • Brew box and contents,
  • Water containers,
  • Kitchen area,
  • Toilet,
  • Hand washing areas.

Bushcraft equipment

Any tools or equipment used must be cleaned with paper cloths and a combined detergent disinfectant solution at a dilution of 1,000 parts per million available chlorine before being used again.

Catering equipment

Any items used for the preparation and consumption of food must be washed up immediately using standard cleaning products.

Washing up

Only 2 people are allowed at the washing up station at any time with social distancing maintained.

Kettle

The kettle lid and handle must be cleaned after every meal and break.

Toilet

Toilets must be cleaned by the user after each use with the spray provided.

Food

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness.  It is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging.

Although it is very unlikely that coronavirus is transmitted through food, as a matter of good hygiene practice anyone handling food should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  This should be done as a matter of routine, before and after handling food.

Camping

When camping is allowed, customers must ensure that they maintain social distancing guidelines when siting their tent or tarpaulin.

First Aid/First Responders

For more information on this subject, please refer to COVID-19: guidance for first responders provided by Public Health England.

When providing first response the following PPE must be worn:

  • Disposable gloves,
  • Disposable plastic apron,
  • Fluid repellent surgical face mask,
  • Eye protection.

Clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol sanitiser before putting on and after taking off PPE.  In all circumstances where some form of PPE is used, the safe removal of the PPE is a critical consideration to avoid self-contamination.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

If you are required to perform (CPR), you should conduct a risk assessment and adopt appropriate precautions for infection control.

In adults, it is recommended that you do not perform rescue breaths or mouth-to-mouth ventilation; perform chest compressions only.  Compression-only CPR may be as effective as combined ventilation and compression in the first few minutes after non-asphyxial arrest (cardiac arrest not due to lack of oxygen).

Cardiac arrest in children is more likely to be caused by a respiratory problem (asphyxial arrest), therefore chest compressions alone are unlikely to be effective.

If a decision is made to perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation in asphyxial arrest, use a resuscitation face shield where available.

Should you have given mouth-to-mouth ventilation there are no additional actions to be taken other than to monitor yourself for symptoms of possible COVID-19 over the following 14 days.  Should you develop such symptoms you should follow the advice on what to do on the NHS website.

Providing assistance to unwell individuals

If you need to provide assistance to an individual who is symptomatic and may have COVID-19, wherever possible, place the person in a place away from others.  As there is no physically separate room, ask others who are not involved in providing assistance to stay at least 2 metres away from the individual.

References

Title
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb97021d3bf7f5d43765cbf/staying-covid-19-secure.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-on-accessing-green-spaces-safely
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works#the-nhs-coronavirus-app
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/construction-and-other-outdoor-work
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-interim-guidance-for-first-responders

 


About Gary

Lead Instructor at Jack Raven Bushcraft, teaching bushcraft, wilderness and survival skills to groups and individuals.

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