HSE carrying out COVID hot checks as lockdown eases

As the United Kingdom continues to ease restrictions more and more businesses are beginning to re-open and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working with local authorities to carry out spot checks and inspections on local businesses to make sure they are following the guidelines that have been set out by the government.

With the reopening of the economy, there is going to be a greater chance for COVID to spread, especially with the Indian variant now rising due to its high transmissibility. To stop the spread, it is critical that businesses don’t become complacent and have COVID-secure measures in place.

All types of businesses, in all areas, are being called and visited by HSE to check the measures they’ve put in place to manage the risk from coronavirus, are in line with the current guidance. This includes businesses that have continued to operate throughout the pandemic, those that have recently reopened and those due to open in the coming weeks.

During spot checks and inspections, the HSE may provide guidance and advice if required, but where businesses aren’t managing the risk, action will be taken.

This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices and stopping certain work practices until they are made safe. Where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.

The COVID-secure measures businesses should have in place include:

• Risk assessment: every workplace should have a COVID risk assessment. Update it to reflect any changes in legislation or guidance that may impact your work activity.
• Social distancing: where possible you should keep people two metres apart. If this is not viable, keeping one metre apart with risk mitigation, such as screens, is acceptable.
• Cleaning, hygiene, and handwashing: keeping your workplace clean reduces the potential for coronavirus to spread. It is a critical part of making and keeping your business COVID-secure.
• Ventilation and air conditioning: can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.
• Talk to workers: provide information about providing support and maintaining control measures.
• Working from home: provide the equipment they need, keep in regular contact, and discuss their wellbeing.
• Vulnerable workers: 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.

 

Angela Storey, Director of Transformation and Operational Services at HSE, said: “As we come out of lockdown, we are continuing to work with local authorities to check businesses are COVID-secure and providing guidance and advice where needed.

“Our spot checks and inspections support the cross-government work in helping employers and employees that have worked throughout the pandemic and those returning as lockdown measures ease. All workplaces are in scope for spot checks which mean businesses of any size, in any sector can receive an unannounced check from HSE or an inspection from the local authority, to check they are COVID-secure.

“If you are contacted by the HSE or your local authority, please engage with us. By checking businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of local communities as well as support the local and national UK economy.”

Please ensure your workplace is safe by following the guidance on being COVID-secure. Further information on spot checks and inspections is available on the HSE’s website.