COVID-19 risk assessment

MDDUS COVID-19 Risk Assessment

Background

This risk assessment has been developed to evaluate and control the risk COVID-19 presents to all MDDUS staff and any visitors, contractors and service providers to whom MDDUS owe a duty of care while on their premises. The assessment takes account of guidance from both HSE and the UK and Scottish Governments.

Current Operational Arrangements

MDDUS operations have been successfully adapted to allow our staff members to work almost entirely from home during this pandemic.

This version of the risk assessment takes account of current company-wide approach to ‘work from home if you can’. It will be reviewed and amended to account for any changes in the Company’s working arrangements or any relevant changes imposed by either the UK or Scottish Government.

Engagement and Oversight

During this time the Company is committed to, as far as is reasonably practical, taking the necessary additional measures to provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment for its staff and any visitors, contractors or the public who may be affected by what we do. The MDDUS Board receive regular updates relating to the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on staff and the approach adopted to protect them. The Executive Committee (ExCom) are actively engaged in monitoring and adapting operations to ensure safety is not compromised. The ExCom receive regular updates and contribute to business decisions in the current environment.

Staff Consultation

MDDUS staff have been consulted during the drafting of this risk assessment, and have had an opportunity to comment and contribute to the content; staff will continue to be consulted as part of COVID-19 risk assessment reviews.

Approach

This Risk Assessment has been drafted in accordance with the widely accepted 5-step approach as follows:

STEP 1 IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS	Identify the safety hazards e.g. working alone Identify the health hazards e.g. contracting COVID-19 from a colleague
STEP 2 IDENTIFY PEOPLE AT RISK	People in and around the premises People who are especially at risk either due to their own health concerns, or due to working in the office environment
STEP 3 EVALUATE, REMOVE, REDUCE AND PROTECT FROM THE RISK	Is the level of risk generated by the hazard acceptable or does it need to be reduced? Risk = Likelihood x Consequence Evaluate the hazards Remove or mitigate the hazards Remove or mitigate the risks to people
STEP 4 RECORD, PLAN, INFORM, INSTRUCT AND TRAIN	Record significant findings and actions taken Prepare an action plan based on the findings Inform and instruct relevant people Cooperate and coordinate with others Provide training
STEP 5 REVIEW	Keep assessment under review Revise and implement changes where necessary

Risk Assessment Review

This risk assessment is reviewed:

1. on a weekly basis to ensure controls remain relevant and effective;
2. to take account of emerging advice and guidance from both UK and Scottish Governments;
3. as both UK and Scottish Government review and amend their easing of lockdown measures.

The Corporate Services Manager is responsible for reviewing the risk assessment, making it available to staff and ensuring it is published on the MDDUS web site each time revisions are made. The Risk Assessment is a standing item on the ExCom agenda, with all revisions being highlighted to senior staff.

To read the full and extensive MDDUS Covid-19 Risk Assessment document, please download here*

*Assessment update: 16 September 2020