Face-to-face training: How we’re responding to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the UK is now a rapidly changing and uncertain landscape. Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted every avenue of our lives and altered the way we live - therefore we’ve been changing how we deliver our face-to-face health and safety training courses. The rules below must be followed to ensure we keep everybody safe.
General rules
In order to keep yourself and others safe during these current times, RoSPA requires that the following be adhered to at all times. This includes self-assessment before arrival and behaviour during the course. The initial guidance sections below relate to training at the RoSPA Training Centre in Kings Norton, Birmingham. Please scroll down for advice about driver training.
Travelling to and attending a course
RoSPA encourages delegates attending our courses at our Training Centre in Kings Norton, Birmingham, to:
- Select the most appropriate travel method
- Please park on the staff car park with your car facing the Training Centre visitor entrance, to ensure that all driver doors are separated.
- Ensure that you leave a two metre distance between you and anyone else when walking to or from the car park
- If you arrive very early for your course, we would ask that you stay in your vehicle or a reasonable distance outside the premises until 9am, when the doors will open.
Hygiene arrangements
All equipment used during the course will be sanitised at the beginning and end of each day, including table tops or any other smooth surfaces, including door handles etc.
Everyone is required to wash their hands regularly using the soap and water provided for at least 20 seconds each time, or use hand sanitiser if you are unable to access the sinks. This includes:
- Upon arrival at the training centre
- After using the toilet
- Before and after eating
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- And, if you use a tissue, make sure you dispose of it straight away into the bin.
Doors will be propped open to reduce touching of door handles. For doors that cannot be propped open, e.g. fire doors, these will be sanitised regularly throughout the day.
Drinks machines will be cleaned and sanitised at regular intervals throughout the day by RoSPA staff; all cups used must be disposedof immediately after use into the bins provided.
Social distancing
Social distancing measures educe social interaction between people. You need to be mindful to keep away from others by at least two metres:
- When entering the classroom, please choose the desk furthest away from the door.
- Keep your distance in the breakout area by sitting at the tables and chairs provided, at the locations provided (please do not move chairs and tables).
- Do not queue for access to toilets etc. unless you can keep two metres apart
- Do not congregate in groups in the breakout area or when smoking outside. Should the fire alarm be activated, you must use the fire exit closest to you and make your way to the assembly point. Do not use the main visitor entrance unless this is your closest fire exit and then stand near the designated fire point but keep two metres apart from others.
- We will ask that you have lunch breaks at your allotted desk, an allocated table in the breakout room, or in your own vehicles.
PPE
Delegates can bring and wear relevant PPE when attending courses, which should include, but are not limited to:
- Disposable gloves.
- A face mask or visor.
Sufficient and appropriate PPE will be provided by RoSPA where this is required for activities e.g. people handling practicals.
Any PPE brought to the training centre must be removed and disposed of by the individual at the end of each day or course. The trainer will reserve the right to insist on particular PPE or equipment that must be used and that PPE or equipment brought for personal use is sufficient to protect anyone affected.
Where delegates will be working within two metres of another person, it is recommended that this is limited to intervals of a maximum of 15 minutes where possible. Examples of this may be where it is necessary for two people to lift an item or person for a safety critical practical task.
RoSPA first aiders will wear PPE (mask, gloves and visor) whilst treating anyone who requires medical attention.
Medical and sickness
We expect that delegates will self-assess and not travel or attend if they are displaying symptoms or are unsure.
The RoSPA trainers will instruct people to leave the course if they display the known symptoms and if that occurs, we ask that you will let us know so we can communicate with other delegates. We will participate in any tracking app or method launched so that we can assist with track and trace arrangements.
If you experience COVID-19 symptoms whilst attending a course, you need to inform the trainer immediately and go home, trying not to touch or make contact with anything. If this occurs we will conduct full cleaningand sanitisation and advise any other delegates.
We will treat every situation sympathetically to avoid embarrassment for the individuals and others potentially involved as much as possible. We will treat every person needing to leave a course sympathetically and rebook where people are following guidance, however, failure to purposefully follow these rules will result in you being asked to leave the training course and venue, without access to any refund.
In-vehicle driver training for fleets
RoSPA will resume its in-vehicle driver training for fleets from June 29, 2020. This follows consultation with its trainers, and a range of control measures identified as appropriate by a risk assessment will be in place to protect trainers and delegates from transmission of COVID-19.
RoSPA’s in-vehicle driver training and in-classroom driver theory sessions will be reintroduced for fleet clients only from June 29, given that such training forms an important part of an organisation’s management of occupational road risk. RoSPA Advanced Driving Tests for members of the public, and in-car tutoring delivered by RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders groups, will not resume until further notice.
RoSPA has undertaken an overarching risk assessment for the resumption of driver training. Trainers will also undertake individual risk assessments before each training session. These risk assessments and full details of the required control measures will be discussed with the client.
The following are RoSPA’s general rules for the resumption of driver training.
General rules for in-vehicle training
- Driver’s employer to ensure the cleaning of the vehicle and sanitisation of handles, steering wheel etc. before each in-vehicle session (trainer will refuse to take the session if vehicle is not visibly clean)
- RoSPA will provide all trainers with a face mask, hand sanitiser and gloves
- All drivers must wear face masks provided by their employer or themselves (driver to demonstrate that mask does not ride up and obscure vision before entering the vehicle); drivers can also wear nitrile gloves if they wish, if they can demonstrate that their grip is not affected
- Trainer and delegate to wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- Trainer and delegate should avoid touching their faces
- Vehicle to be kept well ventilated during a training session
General rules for in-classroom driver theory sessions include:
- Arrangements must be in place to enable trainers and delegates to maintain social distancing in line with current Government guidelines, both inside and outside a building
- The training room and work areas must be cleaned before the session, and there should be regular sanitisation of frequently-touched surfaces and toilet facilities throughout the day
- Trainer to bring own cup and lunch, if required
- Avoidance of physical contact such as handshakes
- Trainer and delegates to wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- Limit number of people who can use toilet facilities at any one time
- Trainer to give a short behaviour/etiquette briefing before the session starts.
General rules regarding sickness and driver training
- Delegates are to confirm they are symptom free and fit and well to conduct the training session
- If a trainer or delegate becomes unwell with coronavirus symptoms during training they should be sent home immediately and advised to follow Government advice to self-isolate
- The trainer will notify RoSPA and the client of the situation so a response plan can be agreed
- The NHS Test and Trace and RIDDOR systems will be complied with in the case of COVID-19 being confirmed
- Any waste cleaning materials and used PPE should be disposed of in line with Government guidelines.
You will need to use the online NHS 111 coronavirus symptom checker to gain an isolation note (Using your own phone or computer to do so).
We’re also offering in-company training and will adhere to your COVID-19 health and safety process in order to deliver this training to your workplace..
In-company will allow us to visit your workplace and deliver the course you require at a time and place to suit you. This is an effective way of training several delegates at the same time, saving on time and travel costs, to find out more contact us on +44(0) 121 248 2233 or email us at [email protected].
"Not only was the trainer professional but personable and knowledgeable. We certainly felt supported and at ease to ask any questions."
Rebecca Saunders, Regional Risk Manager - Aviva