Risk Assessment

Here is our full risk assessment, published in line with government guidelines.

Here is our full risk assessment, published in line with government guidelines.

This document identifies the Covid-19-related risks that our team of self-employed Massage Therapists might encounter when delivering their professional services.

We have identified and tackled potential risks:

1. Before the appointment takes place.
2. When travelling to work
3. During the delivery of the service.
4. After the appointment.

We’re making the findings and strategies outlined in this document publicly available on our website as recommended by the new government guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.

Before the appointment

Risks:

• Client or someone from the household infected with Covid-19 or in close contact with an infected person
• Client within vulnerable population
• Client unaware of transmission risks and additional hygiene measures needed

Health of the Massage Therapist

Mitigating actions:

As per government guidelines, we are communicating with clients during their booking to make sure they: (a) do not show any symptoms; (b) haven’t been in contact with someone showing symptoms; (c) haven’t been abroad in the last 14 days, (d) understand additional hygiene measures and that the use of PPE will be required for their treatment. This includes but isn’t limited to: Asking the client to read and ‘tick a Covid Safe checklist during the online booking process with these details also sent as part of a confirmation email. This email also reminds them to cancel with no charge (up to 6 hours before the appointment) in case of exposure to the virus or showing symptoms.

Contraindications for booking updated to include vulnerable populations and available on our website with adequate sign posting.

All safety recommendation and considerations for before and after bookings publicly available on our website.

Your Massage Therapist will self check their own health everyday before coming to work.

Massage Therapists travelling to work.

This is specific to the clinic in Sutton where the Massage Therapists will need to travel to work.

Risks:

• Contamination risk when using public transport through touching contaminated surfaces
• Contamination risk when using public transport through equipment (massage tables) touching contaminated surfaces
• Contamination through touching doorknobs and other contaminated surfaces upon arrival and departure from client’s home

Mitigating actions:

Service etiquette updated to include the following recommendations:

• Limit your use or time on public transport – you can do that by reducing your service areas or travel by car
• Wear a mask while travelling on public transport.
• Facilitating acquisition of PPE by our community of therapists
• Professionals advised to use disposable tissues and immediately dispose of them safely if they need to touch doorknobs or other potential sources of contamination to enter the clinic.

Massage equipment will be carried in protecting coverings/bags to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

Massage therapist to wash hands and forearms thoroughly with soap and water on arrival at clinic for at least 20 seconds in line with NHS guidance.

During the delivery of the service

Risks:

• Massage Therapist carrying out the service when they show symptoms or have been exposed to coronavirus within the last 14 days
• Contamination due to Massage Therapist’ lack of understanding of the virus, how it spread and how to prevent contamination
• Contamination due to poor ventilation of treatment space
• Contamination due to close proximity between the Massage Therapist and client. This is one of the cases identified by the government where a service cannot be carried out with the 2m distance rule.

Mitigating actions:

• Massage Therapist’ with symptoms to not work for at least 7 days.
• All Massage Therapists must complete an accredited COVID19 transmission prevention training provided by an independent external provider.
• Follow an additional internal service etiquette training providing them with specific advice based on their activity.
• Order and use mandatory PPE relevant for their work which is a clear, plastic face visor.
• Clients are advised, where possible to be alone with the therapist in the room they receive their treatment in, without the presence of other household members
  There is increased cleaning of the common touch points within the clinic setting.

After the appointment

Risk:

• Professional or client develops symptoms in the 14 days following the booking

Mitigating actions:

• Clients will be asked to inform us if they develop symptoms within 14 days after the appointment.
• Therapists are requested to check themselves for symptoms according to NHS guidelines everyday before starting work and to not come to work if showing symptoms.
• Recorded booking information will allow to trace all contacts that occur in the community should any infection be reported.