Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is Coronavirus?
A ‘coronavirus’ is a virus that can cause both humans or animals to become unwell – causing respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.
Previous well-known coronaviruses that affected humans include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS); and the most recently discovered coronavirus is called ‘COVID-19’.
Who is at higher risk?
COVID-19 is highly infectious and easily spread, however some people are at a higher risk of developing serious illness or suffering health complications from the virus than others:
‘Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.’
– Coronavirus, The World Health Organisation (WHO)
What does this mean for organisations?
There is currently no vaccine or confirmed effective treatment for COVID-19, however professional health bodies have published effective guidelines to prevent infection and reduce the transmission of the virus through measures such as:
As many businesses around the UK begin to re-open after a government mandated lock-down, this course seeks to provide awareness about COVID-19 for organisations concerning safety and prevention measures; and also to provide effective training on how employees can reduce transmission through keeping themselves and others safe.
This COVID-19 course provides information about the coronavirus and a guide for implementing safety measures in business premises to protect employees and customers – and to prevent transmission in the wider community.
COVID-19 Risk Assessment
The highly transmissible virus presents a risk to all employees and those with whom their employees have contact with; therefore, a risk assessment should be completed by employers to identify the risks and implement control measures in order to eliminate or reduce risks and comply with legislation.
This course provides information about the following practical measures for your business (if able and if necessary):
Safesmart delivers Coronavirus (COVID-19) Training for your organisation through Smartlog – our comprehensive health & safety compliance software.
What is ‘Coronavirus’? – What a coronavirus is, historic strains, ways it is commonly transmitted in the general population, and the different ways that infection can affect the health of humans.
COVID-19 – Important facts about the new coronavirus strain behind the 2020 global pandemic, understanding how the virus can be transmitted from person-to-person, identifying COVID-19 symptoms, dispelling commonly believed myths about the virus, and how government legislation affects organisations across the public and private sectors in the UK.
COVID-19 risk assessment – Article 3(1) of The Managing Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 mandates a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment of health & safety risks to employees, customers and other visitors to business premises. Organisations must make a COVID-19 risk assessment, and introduce necessary control measures.
Control Measures: Preventing COVID-19 transmission – Following a sufficient risk assessment of your premises: How to prevent the exposure & spreading of the disease through implementing necessary control measures: PPE, handwashing, social distancing, signage, self-isolation etc.
This course contains test questions and issues a certificate upon completion.
