BUSINESS REPORT
RISK MANAGEMENT MUST BE PUT IN PLACE
As lockdown rules on businesses begin to be relaxed, Howes Percival warns that coronavirus risk management and control measures must be in place before companies allow workers to return to the workplace. The Government has published new
Covid-19 secure workplace guidance for businesses in England. The guidance, which operates alongside current health and safety rules, contains practical advice for returning to work safely for businesses where employees cannot work from home. It covers eight types of work environment including factories, construction sites, offices, takeaways, labs, shops, vehicles and work in other people's homes. While the guidance is non-statutory, Howes
‘BEFORE THEY RE-OPEN,
and reputational risk. Despite the unprecedented nature of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Government has already signified that it won't hesitate to take action against any employer who chooses not to comply with the guidance or otherwise fails to take appropriate action to control workplace risk. “The threat of enforcement action for
COMPANIES MUST CONSIDER THE RISKS IN THEIR WORKPLACE’
Percival is warning businesses that it should be viewed as best practice. Following the guidance is likely to demonstrate compliance with health and safety duties in respect of Covid-19. Robert Starr (pictured), regulatory law expert and a
Director at Howes Percival, explained: “The partial lifting of the coronavirus lockdown rules was welcome news for many companies. But, before they re-open, companies must consider the risks in their workplace. “Compliance with the Government's guidance will
no doubt be challenging for some employers, but failure to do so could present a significant financial
non-compliance is a very real one. The Government has provided the Health and Safety Executive with additional funding to allow it to monitor coronavirus compliance, including conducting random spot checks. We assume compliance monitoring will also extend to Local Authorities where they are
the relevant regulator. “Navigating the coronavirus pandemic and its
aftermath will be a massive challenge for us all. To keep their employees and customers safe, businesses will have to adapt to new and unfamiliar ways of working. In addition, the heightened societal concern around the threat of Covid-19 could lead to increased resistance from workers and, in some cases, whistleblowing to the authorities, if they feel that they are being forced to work in difficult or inadequately protected conditions.”
Visit:
www.howespercival.com/services/regulation- and-compliance
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 inbusiness 7
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