Update to our COVID-19 Risk Assessment (June 2021)

As you know, we have re-started our exercise sessions on a limited basis. Our continuing priority is the health, safety and well-being of our members, staff, volunteers and visitors. To achieve this, we’ve further revised our assessment of risks at Hinton Hall based on the most recent advice and guidance provided by the Government and industry bodies. This is the latest version of a working document which will be updated to reflect changes in the advice we receive. 

The main points addressed by the Risk Assessment in greater detail are as follows:

• measures for managing the number of members using the building at any one time
• protocols for using Hinton Hall while maintaining social distance
• cleaning and hygiene programmes
• effective ventilation of the building
• PPE and face covering policy
• procedure in the case of infection symptoms and any emergency

The essential changes for a COVID-19 safer session are as follows:

• You will be invited to attend for a specific session to manage the number of members who can access the building at any one time.
• Unless you are exempt, you are requested to wear a face covering when entering, leaving and moving around Hinton Hall, except during exercise when you can remove your mask. A clear face visor will be offered to those unable to wear a face covering.
• Using a non-contact forehead thermometer, our staff will check the temperature of everyone entering the building.
• You will be signed in by a member of staff and are invited to scan the QR code in the entrance to register your visit. We will support the NHS test and trace programme by providing details of member, staff and volunteer visits if requested
• Before proceeding past reception, you are asked to sanitise your hands using the sanitiser provided.
• Arrows guide you through the building where necessary.
• Clear ‘Keep your distance’ information signs and floor markers remind you to maintain a safe distance from other members, staff and volunteers.
• Our staff may look different; you may sometimes see them wearing different equipment known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This may include gloves, masks and visors.
• We have introduced a comprehensive COVID-19 training programme for all our staff teams. We have reorganised the way they work and strict social distancing applies to staff members.
• We have made sure that everyone has their “safe space” for exercise.
• We have limited the numbers in each session.
• Hand sanitiser is provided at convenient & well-signposted points throughout the building.
• Sanitiser is also provided for staff to wipe down equipment prior to and after use.
• We ask members, staff and volunteers not to visit our premises if they have symptoms of COVID -19, however mild.
• Following the latest guidance from the HSE, the air conditioning system can be used to cool the exercise area but with adequate fresh air ventilation. We also have the UV air purifiers as an additional measure to run at the same time.

Our promise to our members, staff and volunteers is that we will always put their health & safety first. The overall risk level of exercising at Hinton Hall has been rated as Medium. All of our members are in the ‘at risk’ group. However, there is a strong wish among many of our members to return to exercising at Hinton Hall as soon as possible. We can only do so if everyone wears a mask/face covering when needed (unless exempt) and follows the instructions of the staff and volunteers. It would take just one person not to abide by the rules to increase the risk so we’re all relying on each other for this not to happen.

Official advice sometimes appears to change on a daily basis according to emerging evidence. However, we remain cautious and will continue to follow the government’s guidelines regarding access to the building, ventilation, social distancing and face covering requirements.

If you want to you can read the full COVID-19 Risk Assessment document (Members Area - Password required).