In line with Government guidelines during Level 3 Restrictions, The Exam Centre as an Educational Service will remain open for all exams. There will be additional protocols in place to protect our customers and staff.
As we continue to negotiate our way through the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak there have been many changes and indeed challenges we have faced in business and personally. We are now getting ready to tackle the next phase which is re-opening the workplace on June 8th with a view to achieving what looks like normality someday.
This next step will involve implementing control measures, reducing seat capacity, observing guidelines, ongoing supervision, and collaboration from all the Exam Centre Team and Exam Testers.
Summary of Safety Protocols for Exam Candidates
See below for Full Details of Safety Protocols
The Government of Ireland through the HSA / HSE has set out a set of Protocols to help guide businesses in the protection of their employees and visitors ( You the Test Taker ) from the spread of Covid-19. This Protocol is mandatory and will apply to all workplaces and any member of the public entering our premises for the purpose of taking an exam. All measures that are practicable will be applied.
COVID-19 Response Plan
The Exam Centre has developed a COVID-19 Response Plan which involves the following:
Return to Work Steps before workers Return to the Workplace
The Exam Centre will provide induction training for all staff which will include:
Preventative Measures
The Protocol emphasises that the best way to prevent person to person transmission of COVID-19 is to practice proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing.
Hand Hygiene
In all centres, we will provide appropriate facilities to allow Employees and Exam Takers to practice proper hand hygiene. Good hygiene practices include – washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
All customers will also be asked upon entry to the centre to use the hand sanitiser provided at hand sanitiser workstations located at the entry points.
The Electronic Signature Pad and Electronic Palm Scanner will be disinfected before and after each use. Sanitising gel will be available to candidates after completion of this process.
Test takers will be issued with a key for a personal locker in order to store their belongings. This key will be sterilised after each use with disinfectant wipes.
The Exam Centre will provide the candidate with rough work paper where appropriate and candidates will be asked to bring their own pens/pencils with them to the centre and use them exclusively when necessary for admission, exam completion steps, and note-taking during the exam.
Respiratory Hygiene
Staff and test-takers will be required to wear a face mask/covering at all times. This is Mandatory and is a pre-condition to taking an exam at The Exam Centre. Should test takers not have a face mask then one can be supplied for a nominal fee. If test takers are required to have a photo taken as part of their admission process, they will be asked to remove it only for 10-15 seconds that this process may take place.
Good respiratory hygiene practices include - cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, dispose of tissues and wash hands.
Frequent cleaning/disinfection of work surfaces and touchpoints such as door handles will be carried out.
Anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness as coughing or sneezing will not be allowed to test.
We will provide tissues and bins for the disposal of used tissues and these bins will be emptied regularly. Good respiratory etiquette is expected and will be practised at all times by staff and will be expected by all exam takers.
Physical Distancing
The physical distancing requirement of keeping 2 meters between staff and exam takers will be implemented where possible. Where a 2-meter separation cannot be ensured, at the reception/admission area, for example, we have erected protective barrier screens to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Handshakes are strictly forbidden.
Test Takers Toilet Breaks
In order to preserve social distancing protocols candidates requiring a toilet break must press the call button and wait for the invigilator to escort them from the room.
Test Takers Ending Exams
In order to preserve social distancing protocols at the end of an exam, candidates are required to press the call button and an Exam Invigilator will come to the exam booth and escort the candidate from the room.
Use of Disposable Gloves
Disposable Gloves may be used if required
Hand washing is essential when gloves are removed to avoid subsequent contamination.
Staff and Test Takers should avoid touching their mouth eyes or nose when wearing gloves
Cleaning the workplace
Enforcement
The measures in this Protocol are mandatory and will be enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The HSA is actively visiting businesses to ensure protocols are being adhered to. It is a condition of entry into The Exam Centre that all protocols be followed. Failure to do so will result in an exam being cancelled and NO refund will be given.
produced by WDI
