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Risk Assessment for essential first aid training taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Lessons have been reviewed and adapted to ensure that a distance of 2m is maintained between learners and between learners and the trainer, unless close contact is absolutely necessary for teaching or assessment purposes. These occasions will be kept to an absolute minimum.
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We will liaise with the training venue beforehand to make sure that appropriate handwashing facilities are available. Hand sanitiser will be provided for use when entering/leaving the room and whenever required during training.
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On occasions when close contact cannot be avoided, PPE will be provided and must be used.
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Before the start of the course learners will be advised not to attend if they have possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, a new cough, or loss of smell/taste). A contactless infra-red thermometer will be used to check temperatures at the start of each day of training. If anyone feels unwell during training, they will be expected to inform the trainer.
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Learners will be asked to provide contact details on the course register so that, in the event of anyone developing symptoms within 2 weeks of attending training, contacts can be traced. The trainer will give out his/her details for this purpose.
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All equipment will be thoroughly cleaned before and after use by an individual learner. Sharing will be avoided wherever possible.
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It is a requirement of First Aid at Work; Emergency First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid that the skill of providing rescue breaths must still be included in CPR training and assessment*. Where possible, manikins will not be shared between learners. If this cannot be avoided, steps will be taken to sanitise the face using suitable wipes. At the end of each learning session Trionic wipes will be used to prevent the build-up of an invisible ‘biofilm’ on the surface. Each learner will also be provided with a CPR face shield as a ‘double fail-safe’ level of protection.
Laerdal Little Anne manikins (as used by Sellwood Training) have a one-way valve in the airway that directs expired air from the manikin’s lungs out of the back of the head, preventing contamination from the mouth. Little Anne airways/lungs are replaced after every course and manikin faces are removed and sanitised according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
*Adaptations to protocols that ensure the safe performance of first aid during the current COVID-19 outbreak will also be taught in line with Resuscitation Council (UK) and Qualsafe Awards guidelines.
Sellwood Training: June 2020