Dear Valued Beauty Professionals, As we have just heard, the beauty industry can reopen this Thursday 14th May. After reviewing MoH information and WorkSafeNZ website, this is what they have to say: Close proximity environments such as us and in which PCBUs can meet the same requirements as in a controlled environment and also provide services involving close personal contact. In these environments, when workers are closer than 1-meter, PPE needs to be used. Other additional safety measures should also be considered (eg. appropriate use of barriers). The type of PPE you use is an individual business’ decision based on the level of risk for that organisation (e.g. number of people (workers and clients), the working proximity, the physical work area, ventilation of the area, and the length of time people are together. Work should only be completed within 1-meter if it can’t otherwise be achieved. The time spent in close proximity needs to be kept to a minimum. At all other times, a 1-meter distance should be maintained. We recommend you write down your Alert Level 2 approach so it can be shared with others, including your customers or clients. This will also make it easier to regularly review and update your approach. I am already in contact with the Covid-19 response team and WorkSafeNZ and I am waiting on their reply. Until we are given any extra information please adhere to your safety plan. Remember your safety plan requirements are on top of your NZBPST Health and Hygiene regulations which are all part of your Pandemic Response Protocols. In the general information given, there is a strong emphasis on hand hygiene, mask application, client tracing, and social distancing. Should you require this tracing app: Sign up here! Should you be interested in joining the Board of Professional Beauty Therapists, please click here: Sign up here! Should any changes be announced I will inform you immediately. Kind regards Julie Martin Founder and Chair E: admin@nzbpst.co.nz M: 021022294638 W: www.NZBPST.org Government Covid-19 Update Workplaces and businesses At Alert Level 2 businesses can operate if they are able to do so safely. Engaging with customers: At Alert Level 2 businesses can have customers on their premises if they can meet public health requirements. This means businesses should: # have good contact registers, or contact tracing records, in place to record everyone whom you interact with on your premises # maintain physical distancing of 1-meter between groups of customers, or 2-meters if not possible to keep contact tracing records # not have groups larger than 10 people # maintain a 2-hour time limit for groups to be on your premises. Most businesses can open their premises to the public: # cafes, restaurants, and bars for dining # hardware, gardening, and clothing retailers # butchers, bakeries, and fishmongers. # Hospitality businesses should keep groups seated, separated, and use a single server if possible. This means each group has one server, though servers can each serve more than one table. Work involving close personal contact For some businesses, close personal contact is required to deliver a service. This includes: # hairdressers # home help providers. These businesses can operate if they have measures like: # have robust contact registers in place # maintain good hygiene practices # minimise contact to the extent possible. Specific guidance for key sectors is being developed by the Government and will be available soon. Doing business safely: The key public health requirements stay the same at Alert Level 2. Businesses should maintain hygiene measures, including physical distancing, hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces. All businesses are encouraged to use alternative ways of working if possible. This means businesses that do not normally have customers on their premises could continue to have staff work from home. If workers are sick with symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home. Self-isolation advise if you’re unwell Golden rules for business at Alert Level 2 Do everything you can to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at work — we all have a part to play in keeping each other safe. 1. COVID-19 is still out there. Play it safe. 2. Most businesses can operate if they can do so safely. Alternative ways of working are still encouraged where possible. 3. Talk with your workers to identify risks and ways to manage them. 4. Ask everyone, workers, contractors, and customers, with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from your premises. 5. Keep groups of customers at least 1-meter apart. 6. Keep contact-tracing records of anyone who will have close interaction (workers, contractors, or customers). 7. Reduce the number of shared surfaces, and regularly disinfect them. 8. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. The NZ Board of Professional Skin Therapies Covid-19 Safety Plan Over the last couple of weeks, I have been informing you of the Covid-19 safety plan that you are required to have in place before you can reopen your doors. As part of your clinic’s preparation, we will be reminding you of what is required for your clinic to help it meet the requirements of MoH and keep your clinic staff and clients safe. Please find attached a Safety Plan template provided by WorkSafe NZ which can be used for your Covid-19 safety plan. This can be used separately for Covid-19 or incorporated into your existing clinic safety plan manual to make your overall clinic health and safety requirements extra robust. A separate Pandemic Response Safety Plan has been added to the NZ Boards Health and Hygiene Regulations https://worksafe.govt.nz/search/SearchForm/?Search=Covid+safety+plan+template&action_results =GoGmail Prior to reopening all clinics must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. Consultations, Records, and Client Tracing: The NZ Board of Professional Skin Therapies has designed a contactless client tracing app. This has a QR scanner so clients can fill in their details before entering the premises and sign out on it as they leave. If they do not have this feature you can sign them in and out on your laptop or software device. By using this method of client tracing only one person is touching the keypad and avoids the spread of coronavirus which is so easily done when people are sharing and touching pens and paper. All clients’ contact details, treatment dates, therapist’s name and the people they the encounter must be logged. Client tracing requirements: date, time of arrival, departure, contact details, where they are going to next. This includes any casuals that may walk in, you do not need to ask your courier where he/she is going. Ask every client on arrival if they have been unwell or in contact with an unwell person or anyone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19.If they answer yes, they must be tested and show evidence of a negative result before they can be treated. NOTICE AT ENTRANCE FOR CLIENTS Place a notice in a visible place at the entrance of your premises for anyone who enters to read so they know your entry requirements. This notice should contain the following: # A welcome # Requirements e.g. please use hand sanitise provided when entering and leaving these premises # Client tracing information-If you have a QR scanner on phone, please scan code and enter details. # You will be asked where you are going on departure. This is a requirement of our tracing procedures. # State social distancing # State sanitising policy for touchable surfaces and objects. # Add any other pertinent information that pertains to your premises. # Thank them for their patience Check List # Conduct pre-open meetings with staff [non-contact via zoom or skype] and write extra protocols for your clinic. # Establish any new roles for employees # Hold induction courses for new or contractual employees on a safety plan # Make sure you are all on the same page # Test staff with scenarios to make sure they understand the rules # Inform your clients of their role in preserving hygiene when visiting your clinic. If they feel unwell, they must cancel their appointment. Refer them to their GP. Have them provide a medical certificate before recommencing their treatments # The Latest finding suggests that Coronavirus stays on plastic and smooth surfaces for up to 2-4 days and on cardboard up to 8 hours. # Place notices on the front door or window explaining requirements of the COVID-19 alert status # Provide hand sanitiser at the door and instruct clients to use it upon entering and leaving # In addition to our health and hygiene guidelines regularly disinfect doorknobs, light switches, telephones, eftpos terminals, and constantly touched surfaces with disinfectants [follow manufacturer’s directions for use]. # Talk to your clients and explain how you have increased your hygiene protocols and what they include. They will need reassurance # Provide longer spaces between treatments to allow for extra cleaning on top of your normal health and Hygiene guidelines # Practice donning and doffing of required PPE equipment # Review all other hygiene protocols [Don’ lose focus of all the other pathogens you need to kill] # Have all staff use their own named plates, cups, and disposable cutlery. # All staff brings their own meals to work. If a dishwasher is available all items are immediately washed, and containers taken home. # All bench surfaces are disinfected after use with disposable clothes and binned # Regular cleaning of toilets and a cleaning schedule signed off with a date, time and person who did the last clean # Arrange chairs in the waiting area to avoid client to client contact # Arrange with staff how to pass each other and clients along narrow hallways # Stagger appointment times so there is no grouping of clients or staff in any one area # How to navigate the backroom or any small spaces # As well as meeting local council health and Hygiene Bylaw requirements, the premises must provide good ventilation including cleaning of air filters in air conditioning units. # Place Covid-19 work posters at “front of house” and in appropriate areas in your business to remind people of what is required of them. https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-programmes/patient-safety-week/publications-and- resources/publication/3457/ # Remove all wrist and hand jewelry [harbors bacteria] except your wedding band # Use hand lotion regularly to prevent dry, cracked hands, e.g, before and after work and during breaks. Clean uniforms daily # Pay extra attention to uniforms and personal hygiene. # Cover minor cuts and abrasions on hands and arms with a waterproof dressing and disposable gloves before starting work # Contact occupational health and safety if you have any dermatitis, skin allergies or infected lesions on your arms or hands. # Remove nail polish and keep nails short. The longer the nails the more bacteria can hide underneath. # In order for your PPE to be effective, you must be competent and consistent with how to use it # Please follow this step by step guide on how to apply and remove your gloves so as to prevent the spread of pathogens See Clip Here # Place posters in appropriate areas for staff to review # Handwashing posters in the bathrooms so you educate clients and remind staff It is important that disposable gloves are: # Changed between clients. # Never washed or re-used. # Discarded and replaced with new gloves if there is evidence of tearing or deterioration. # Removed and disposed of when leaving a client for any reason. Masks # Homemade masks are not allowed. # Only medical surgical masks are to be worn. # Your mask is only as hygienic as you make it. # Please practice the following steps on how to apply and discard your mask to prevent the spread of pathogens. Here is a protocol on making sure you are donning and dobbing your mask appropriately. When applying a mask: # Wash hands with hot soapy water # Hand sanitiser # Make sure the coloured side of the mask is facing out # When applying mask only touch side elastic loops with little fingers and hook over ears, covering your face and nose # Do not touch the front of the mask with your hands except to pinch the clip over the nose to take on your nose shape and the middle lower border at bottom of mask with thumb and first finger to pull edge down under the chin # When the mask is damp or moist discard it appropriately, hand wash and sanitise # Or if you are going to another room to treat a new client, discard, hand wash and sanitise your hands, reapply a new mask, wash hands then hand sanitise again. NEVER, when talking to someone pull the mask down and wear it under your chin or pull it up onto your forehead When removing a face mask: # Wash hands thoroughly and hand sanitise # Avoid touching the front of the mask # Using your little fingers unhook the elastic loops from your ears. Allow the mask to fall off your little fingers into an appropriate bin without touching the front or rest of the mask # DON’T pull the mask up over the top of your head to the back # Discard the mask in the appropriate bin, do not re-use # After removing your mask, wash hands with soap and water, dry hands thoroughly, use hand sanitiser. General cleaning information following a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19 This information provides guidance on cleaning a room that has been used by a suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19 case. NZBPST’s Infection Prevention and Control officer can provide further guidance if required. General Principle Good hand hygiene is essential to minimise the transmission of infectious droplets. Always wear disposable gloves when cleaning. When finished, place used gloves in the rubbish bin. Wash your hands immediately after handling these items. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure you dry them thoroughly. Your hand sanitiser should contain at least 60 percent alcohol. If soap and water are not available and if your hands are not visibly dirty use hand sanitiser, cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Cleaning the affected room When cleaning thoroughly and efficiently it is good to remember two general principles. # Top to bottom: start cleaning surfaces higher up and work your way to the floor. This method ensures that any particulates or debris fall to the floor which will be cleaned last. # Clean to dirty: start by cleaning surfaces and objects that are cleaner and work your way to cleaning dirtier items (e.g. toilets). Avoid going from an area that has not been cleaned to an area that has been cleaned. This avoids dirtying the cleaned area and will ensure you are not cross-contaminating items or surfaces Prior to cleaning Personal protective equipment (PPE): wear a disposable face mask and gloves when cleaning. If the cleaning product manufacturer recommends eye protection, wear a face shield or safety glasses. Order for putting on PPE: 1. hand hygiene 2. gown 3. mask 4. protective eyewear 5. gloves (these can include heavy-duty household gloves). Order for removing PPE: 1. gloves 2. hand hygiene 3. gown 4. hand hygiene 5. protective eyewear (if separate from mask) 6. hand hygiene 7. mask 8. hand hygiene. Finding a Product Any hospital-grade detergent/disinfectant products are suitable for cleaning following a suspected, probable, or confirmed case of COVID-19. A hospital-grade disinfectant that are specifically designed to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 has an EPA registration number and that the human coronavirus is listed as a targeted pathogen. Follow instructions on the labels. Read the label of cleaning products and follow recommendations provided for that brand of product. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product, including precautions you should take when applying it. Specific PPE and dwell time (how long the cleaning product should remain wet on the surface before drying) should be included in product instructions. The recommended cleaning product should be a 2-in-1 product (containing both cleaning and disinfectant properties) to increase efficiency. These products are for use on surfaces, NOT humans. Keep the windows open for ventilation if possible. Cleaning order 1. Remove all linen (bedding, towels, cushion covers, and other fabrics) for washing and put in a plastic bag (or non-porous container with a lid) for transport to the laundry room. Use a washing machine and detergent to wash thoroughly with the hottest temperature recommended on the item’s label. 2. Remove all table-top appliances, crockery and cutlery, and place in non-porous, covered containers for transport to dishwasher/kitchen. Clean all table-top appliances (eg, kettle) according to instructions. Clean all household items, such as dishes, cups, eating utensils thoroughly, preferably in a commercial dishwasher. 3. Clean inside and outside of all built-in appliances (eg, refrigerator, oven) 4. Clean all ‘high-touch’ surfaces, such as counters, cupboards, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, and window blinds. 5. Spot-clean any marks on soft furnishings. 6. Clean bathroom fixtures, showers, and toilets with a separate set of cleaning equipment (disposable cleaning cloths, etc) using disinfectant or bleach solution. Toilets should be the last item in the bathroom to clean. 7. Remove gloves, wash hands with soap and water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel, hand sanitise. 8. Remove gloves, wash hands, hand sanitise, and put on clean gloves. 9. Vacuum the carpet. Steam cleaning of carpets and rugs is not required. 10. For hard floor surfaces, clean the floor with the prepared disinfectant or bleach solution, starting from one end of the premises to another (from the far side of the room working your way to the exit/door). 11. At the end of the cleaning, remove all used face masks, gloves, and other contaminated items in a lined container before disposing of them with other household/general waste. Wash your hands and hand sanitise immediately after handling these items. Reporting Incidences 1. Should any staff member become ill they must not come to work. 2. If they present with any Covid-19 symptoms it must be reported to the Ministry of Health- Healthcare hotline Ph 0800 358 5453 and their GP 3. All medical contamination and/or other incidences once reported to MoH and WorkSafe NZ must be logged in the clinics' Incidence “Logbook” and retained for a minimum of two years and present on request of MoH and WorkSafe NZ when requested. 4. Follow all instructions issued by MoH and/or WorkSafe NZ regarding containment and closing of business 5. Have in place emergency cleaning procedures to implement in addition to your health and hygiene guidelines. Implement protocols immediately 6. Staff members cannot return to work for two weeks after testing clear for Covid-19 The symptoms of COVID-19 are one or more of the following: # a cough # a high temperature (at least 38°C) # shortness of breath. # sore throat # sneezing and runny nose # temporary loss of smell These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu. Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms take up to 14 days to show after a person has been infected. A person can pass on the virus to others before they know they have it - from up to two days before symptoms develop. If you have these symptoms, please telephone Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor immediately. How will you gather information on the wellness of your workers to ensure that they are safe and well to work? There are a range of reasons why staff may come to work despite being told that they should stay home if unwell. This will not necessarily be willful behavior. It is important to have open communication with employees to understand why they want to be at work. Check-in regularly with staff to ensure they are well. You could accompany this with a system that provides a self-symptom check for workers and other people before they enter the workplace. Your system must ensure that other people who do not routinely work there are screened. It is essential you involve staff in deciding your system. It is recommended that checking occurs daily. Businesses may choose to do more to check their workers’ health. It is important that you engage with staff to decide what is appropriate for your business You may also like to consider: # setting up flexible leave arrangements to ensure employees stay at home and are not financially pressured to come to work when they have a respiratory infection # how you will follow-up to ensure staff only return if they have recovered or they have been tested and cleared of COVID-19. Ministry of Health - workplace infectious disease prevention Download this page as a fact sheet # General cleaning information for COVID-19 (Word, 262 KB) # General cleaning information for COVID-19 (PDF, 120 KB)
Posted: Mon 11 May 2020