As the workplaces across the country are reopening from restrictions please ensure you are compliant with risk assessments and controls
Remember your COVID risk assessment Every workplace should have a COVID risk assessment and you should update it to reflect any changes in legislation or guidance that may impact your work activity, .
You should also talk to staff, provide information and consider the risk to workers who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus – putting controls in place to reduce that risk.
Ventilation Adequate ventilation (including air conditioning) can help reduce risk of spreading coronavirus in workplaces.
Talking to your workers about returning to work Returning to the workplace may be difficult for some employees, making them more susceptible to workplace stress, ensure you have the right controls in place to deal with this and update risk assessments and policies.
Examining and testing equipment Equipment stored or unused for long periods of time should be checked for damage or deterioration.
Legionella If your building has been closed or had reduced occupancy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, water system stagnation can occur due to lack of use, increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease. Make sure you are aware of the risks when returning to unoccupied buildings with low use outlets. Your risk assessment and written scheme should reflect this change.
Spot checks and inspections HSE continues to carry out spot checks and inspections on businesses in all sectors and regions to check they have COVID-secure measures in place. This includes businesses that have been operating throughout the pandemic, and those that are starting to reopen.
During the spot checks and inspections, advice and guidance will be provided to help manage risk and protect workers and visitors, but where businesses are not managing this, immediate action will be taken.
This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, it could lead to prosecution.
if you are unsure of what your business should be implementing during reoccupation of the workplace give us a call on 07980599032.
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