PPL Training Post Covid 19 Policy

Introduction

The aim of this updated policy is to assist employees and visitors to PPL Training in providing further advice and re-assurance on:

• COVID-19 and its effect on society
• What PPL Training are doing to continue the safe delivery of training
• A reminder of information on what to do if someone is confirmed to have COVID-19 and experiences symptoms

Information about the virus

A coronavirus is a type of virus and as a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 was identified as a new strain of coronavirus in Wuhan City, China in January 2020, that then led to the Coronavirus Pandemic experienced in the UK between March 2020 and February 2022.

Whilst the majority of government controls associated with Covid 19 have been lifted, certain measures will still be required to promote a safe working, and learning, environment.

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• fever
• loss of taste/ and or smell

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

We know that the effects symptoms will also be dependent upon the vaccination status of the individual, as well as the overall severity of the respective virus strain.

How COVID-19 is spread

From what we know, the spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with that infected person.

Respiratory secretions produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes containing the virus are most likely to be the main means of transmission.

The main route by which people can spread COVID-19 is predominantly inhalation within an infected environment.

What PPL Training are doing to continue the safe delivery of training, whilst safeguarding their staff and all delegates/ visitors

The following considerations remain in all venues where PPL Training will deliver training, both in-centre and on-site:

Generic Arrangements

Staff

• Lateral Flow Tests, where supply allows, are optional for all staff. Any positive result should be reported to your respective line manager.
• All staff remain fully aware of the virus, the symptoms, the requirement to self-monitor and the need for spatial awareness when working with others.
• All staff know, and accept, the actions to be taken should they experience any symptoms personally, observe them in a colleague or observe/ receive a report from a delegate/ associate.

Buildings/Facilities

• The online Registration System will ensure all visitors to centre are aware of controls within building, along with timings and classroom allocation to minimise traffic throughout buildings.
• Registration System to also incorporate Delegate Sign In for fire register purposes.
• Course start times, and breaks, to be staggered to manage delegate traffic flow, and allow for personal spatial considerations.

Face Coverings

• The wearing of face coverings, for all personnel, in public and practical areas is optional.
• If face coverings are not worn, spatial awareness of respective surroundings should be observed/ considered.

Offices

• Office layouts have been rearranged to allow sufficient space around the respective working area throughout the day.
• Clear desk policy at the end of working day will remain to allow for full cleaning of desk surfaces.

Classrooms

• Classroom layouts will continue to retain some form of delegate separation, with 1m+ between seating areas as a minimum.
• Clear desk policy at the end of working day will allow for full cleaning of desks/ wipeable surfaces.

Practical Areas

• Delegate traffic to be monitored and controlled by respective tutors.
• Courses to be programmed into all available buildings to enable utilisation of all practical systems, and achieve natural separation.
• All test/ practical equipment used to be sanitised before and after use (where possible).

Shared Areas

• The toilets to be deep cleaned at least daily.
• All staff/ delegates using the toilets must observe meticulous standards of personal hygiene, I.E wash hands thoroughly in hot water and soap and dry off.

Use of the kitchens should be managed and with spatial requirements maintained.

• Any table (if other than the work desk) used to take refreshment will be wiped down after every use.
• Delegate lunches will continue to be provided as a dedicated packed lunch, and consumed in class or outside.

Daily Cleaning Rooms

The offices and classrooms shall continue to be deep cleaned every night including:

• Sanitisation of all desk tops.
• All toilets and kitchens will be sanitised.
• All kitchen appliances will be sanitised.
• Supplies of soap/ hand sanitisers will be topped up.
• Bins for paper towels and other waste to be emptied into main dustbin.

Support Information - Procedures upon experiencing symptoms and confirmation of positive LFT for COVID-19 (where possible)

Permanent Employee or Associate experiences symptoms, and tests positive for COVID-19

• Employee/ Associate to inform Line Manager.
• Managers will notify senior management on confirmation of a positive test, accompanied with symptoms.
• Managers to ascertain impact of positive test on business. Dependent upon severity of symptoms, consider alternative tutor, working from home, or cancellation of affected course.

Delegate experiences symptoms, and tests positive by LFT for COVID-19 prior to course (where possible)

• Delegate must not attend course with symptoms.
• Delegate to inform Reception/ Sales staff, who will notify respective tutor.
• Sales to rearrange delegate booking within the PPL terms and conditions.

Support Information - Procedures upon detection of employees and visitors who fall unwell.

Employee / visitor falls ill whilst at a PPL Training location with suspected symptoms

• Employee/ visitor is isolated in a separate room or calls reception before entering building.
• Employee/ visitor is provided with a face mask and with disposable tissues to cover their mouth and nose whilst coughing or sneezing.
• Employee/ visitor to go home / attend doctor or other action as advised by 111.
• Employee manager to contact senior management, or Visitor to follow own internal processes.
• Manager to follow up the results of any medical tests the employee takes.

Employee / visitor falls ill whilst at a PPL Training location and has no reason to suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19

• Employee should be sent home and should contact a doctor or 111 if required.
• Employee should confirm the outcome of any medical guidance to their manager.

If there are any doubts, or concerns with the above requirements please consult a member of staff or your respective Line Manager.

Support Information - Personal Hygiene awareness

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
2. Dispose of dirty tissues promptly in the bin
3. Maintain good indoor ventilation
4. Avoid sharing food, crockery, utensils and other personal hygiene items
5. Maintain good personal hygiene, including hand washing with soap and water, or the use of hand sanitizing rubs
6. Proper hand washing requires soap and water. The constant rubbing action helps soap break down the grease and dirt that carry most germs. Washing your hands for at least 15 to 30 seconds with soap and water does not just make your hands smell fresh but also reduces germ count by up to 99%
7. Follow these simple steps to keep your hands clean:

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