As businesses begin reopening and operating during the various levels of lockdown, there will be a requirement and obligation on these businesses to prove that there is a system in place to manage the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Food Consulting Services have used their expertise and technical insights to develop post lockdown opening procedures and checklists to help businesses open safely.
“FCS have been helping the food and hospitality industry reduce cross contamination for over 40 years. We felt compelled to use this strength to help ALL companies reduce their risk of spreading Covid-19. We have thus developed comprehensive procedures for any company to follow to reduce the spread of Covid-19, as well as a Covid-19 Risk Audit coupled with sanitation verification swabs, to monitor the effectiveness of their risk reduction program.” said Shane Rimmell, Director of Food Consulting Services.
Regardless of the nature of your business, once your organisation is open, it will require comprehensive, continued operating procedures to ensure the safe operation of your business for your staff, clients and any other stakeholders.
These procedures and checklists are available for free download at
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In addition, the following practices are recommended for continued safety and protection of your staff and business continuity:
FCS Sanitation verification SWABS:
Although Covid-19 viral swabs to test surfaces are becoming available, they are costly and there are many questions surrounding their accuracy. FCS has been performing surface swabs which detect bacteria for the last 40 years. Surfaces and hands which have been effectively cleaned and sanitised should have very low levels of bacteria.
If all detectible microorganisms are eliminated using the correct chemicals and techniques, it increases the likelihood of that viruses will have been eliminated too. This will, in turn, reduce the virus spread, thus keeping the risks under control.
FCS is able to offer swabs for high contact surfaces such as toilets, taps, door handles, biometric readers, counters, point of sale areas, credit card keypads, telephones, railings etc. and test them for bacterial numbers. This will scientifically prove AND document that effective cleaning and sanitising has taken place within your facility.
FCS COVID-19 Risk Audit:
The FCS COVID-19 Risk Audit is developed based on the risk reduction strategies from the Department of Health, NICD, WHO and NIOH. In addition, our own extensive experience in hygiene management and cross-contamination control form the foundation of this audit.
The FCS COVID-19 Risk Audit is able to independently evaluate whether the Covid-19 risk reduction procedures that have been put in place are being followed. It is able to identify possible gaps and make recommendations on further measures that can be taken, thus becoming a key management tool in the control of the spread of the virus.
The audit will cover the following risk reduction sections:
• Cleaning and sanitising, focusing on frequent touch areas
• Supply and use of hand washing and sanitising facilities
• Supply, control and use of PPE
• Social distancing
• Cleaning and control of toilets
• Staff screening
• Procedures, policies and records about Covid-19 risk reduction
This audit, when performed by a qualified FCS auditor, will form a credible and independent reference point to the status of your internal risk management for the spread of COVID-19.
The audit and sanitation verification swabs will provide a valuable and credible reference tool to assist in improving your systems and to independently verify your commitment to and efficiency in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in your facility.
About Food Consulting Services:
Food Consulting Services (FCS) is a private South African owned Food Testing Laboratory and Food Safety Consultancy formed in 1977. FCS has a SANAS accredited microbiological testing laboratory, accredited to IS0/IEC 17025, offering a full spectrum of accredited microbiological tests.