Expedient Training continues to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation nationally, and the safety of our employees, customers, candidates and business partners is our top priority.

In conjunction with our Health and Safety Advisor, we have implemented additional precautions both internally for our staff and externally for our customers, delegates, partners and wider supply chain.

The details of the control measure’s we have put in place are listed below.

Control measures relating to customers, delegates, partners and supply chain

• Sanitiser stations have been added to training centre entry points and training rooms, as well as anti-bacterial wipes and tissues.
• Additional advice signage has been added to training centres such as “Catch it, Bin it, Kill” it.
• Hand washing advice to be added into welfare facilities
• We have increased contracted cleaning services with specific instructions to daily disinfect all frequently touched surfaces
• Gloves issued to all staff cleaning delegate rest areas. Cleaning will also be carried out with disposable wipes
• Internal staff to clean down frequently touched areas throughout the day
• Video conferencing should be considered for external meetings
• Ensure adequate provision of antibacterial handwashes / soap in all toilet facilities
• We will stagger delegate breaks to reduce highly populated candidate canteens and increase clear ups
• Candidate information slide for housekeeping shown at the start of courses (Induction)
• The Senior Leadership Team and the Health and Safety Advisor have signed up to Public Health England Alerts
• Communicated with our partners and supply chain on the actions we have taken and ensure that they are also implementing similar control measures.
• We will communicate with all external Awarding Bodies, requesting their guidance on what alternative training methods (e.g. online) can be put in place if the situation escalates

Internal control measures relating to employees

• Where possible, we are encouraging video conferencing for internal meetings and reducing all non-essential travel
• Ensure sick leave policy is flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are reminded of these policies
• Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (37.8° C or greater).
• Before returning to work, employees must be clear of signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants)
• Tissue boxes have been made available and encouraged to sneeze and cough into tissues and then properly dispose of them. Hand sanitizers are also available in all public and private areas, and staff are encouraged to use regularly.
• Ensure adequate provision of antibacterial handwashes / soap in all toilet facilities
• Inform employees that some people may be at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions
• Managers have prepared for possible increased numbers of employee absences due to staff illness or their family members
• Cross-train team members (if relevant) to perform essential duties so that the businesses can operate if key staff members are absent
• Reduce physical contact such as handshaking
• Share plan with employees and explain what (if any) revised policies and pay and benefits will be available to them in the event of an emergency scenario
• Staff returning from leave will be contacted prior to their return to work to check if they have visited any high-risk areas. Anyone who has visited a high-risk area will be advised to self-isolate, as per the current Government advise

And finally...

We will continue to follow the World Health Organisation and UK Government guidelines relating to COVID-19. Given the changing nature of the situation, our control measure and policies surrounding COVID-19 may change and be updated. We will continue to communicate these where applicable. Our aim is to provide critical safety and compliance training in the safest environment possible, on a business as usual basis.

Follow our social media or check out Expedient Voice on our website and we will keep you updated where appropriate.

Kind Regards

Expedient Training Leadership Team