Working safely through COVID-19: Carlisle City Council
Carlisle City Council manages and maintains around 350 acres of parks, open spaces, woodlands and cemeteries throughout the city and rural areas.
It continues to work hard to ensure that these vital green spaces are clean and safe to use by all members of the community during the coronavirus crisis.
Although all parks and green spaces remain open, some activities are closed; these include play areas, outdoor exercise areas, multi-use games areas and the skate park.
The Council has implemented a range of measures to ensure staff safety. These include:
- Staff are working on a staggered shift pattern, reducing contact between personnel at start and finish times.
- Teams are following the 'one person - one vehicle' policy or using larger vehicles to ensure the two metre distance is retained.
- Anti-viral wipes, hand cleaning gel and foam hand cleaner have been made available in vehicles and depots in addition to all standard hand washing facilities.
- All necessary PPE has been purchased and provided to staff.
- Posters relating to social distancing, hand washing and outlining Covid-19 symptoms have been displayed in all depots and staff bases.
- Office-based staff are following government advice by working from home and site staff continue to carry out their regular duties whilst following specific risk assessments and safe working procedures which have been produced.
In addition, the Council has put public signage in place promoting social distancing in the parks and green spaces and has introduced a one-way system around Talkin Tarn Country Park.
Its teams are now focussing on the highest priority sites for maintenance and inspections.
The Council is also continuing to develop plans for site improvements once the crisis eases so that the green spaces can continue to play their important role on maintaining residents’ physical and mental well-being.