FEATURE


have in place, and what further measures can be implemented to reduce the risk of people contracting the disease to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. The guidance provides examples of appropriate controls and how to implement them which may provide a useful starting point.


STEP THREE: MONITORING AND SUPERVISION Your first line of defence is, of course, to stop the


virus from entering your premises. This requires monitoring the health of employees on entry and during the working day. You will also need to have systems in place to ensure your workplace remains up to date with the latest guidance, as well as supervise employees so you can be confident that the controls mentioned in the risk assessment are being followed effectively.


STEP FOUR: EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN As with other potential emergencies such as a fire or


gas leak, you will need to develop an effective action plan outlining how you will deal with a suspected case of COVID-19 in your workplace. You must make sure that this is communicated effectively so that everyone understands what action will need to be taken should someone experience symptoms or be confirmed as having the virus.


STEP FIVE: EDUCATION AND TRAINING In order for your control measures to be effective,


all staff will need to be aware of their existence and their importance in maintaining a safe working environment. Knowledge is key, not only to ensure your plans are executed properly but also to help relieve anxiety.


STEP SIX: REVIEW Crucially, you must review your controls on a regular


basis to ensure they remain effective and align with current government guidance. Work with staff to assess what is and isn’t working and continually refine your controls so that they offer the best possible protection.


With the government announcing that businesses reopening under current lockdown restrictions will be subject to inspections, and the HSE reminding employees that they can report any genuine concerns to the regulator, now is the time to proactively ensure your workplace is compliant. But it’s not all about avoiding enforcement action – by demonstrating to employees that you are taking their safety seriously, you can help to allay concerns and minimise the risk of refusals to work, making for a much smoother transition to the ‘new normal’, reaffirming your position as a responsible employer, and ultimately saving lives.


Ellis Whittam is supporting employers’ return to work plans through helpful guides, checklists, monitoring documentation, action plans and risk assessments all available for free via its Coronavirus Advice Hub.


https://elliswhittam.com/ https://www.elliswhittam.com/covid-19/register?v=tomorrowshealthandsafety twitter.com/TomorrowsHS 15


Some questions to ask within your risk assessment include:


• How can you maintain two-metre distancing between people at all times? If this is not possible, can people work side-by-side rather than face-to-face, or in smaller groups for shorter periods of time?


• Are screens needed at reception or customer- facing areas?


• How can we better organise seating areas?


• Have we put provisions in place for office, delivery and eating areas?


• How are we are going to ensure testing is completed and recorded?


• Are handwashing facilities available? This should include hot and cold running water, soap and disposable hand towels. If these aren’t available, consider providing hand sanitiser.


• Are disposable tissues available to reduce the threat of transmission?


• How and when will certain areas and hand- contact points be disinfected to prevent spread?


• Can you display education pieces, such as a symptoms charts and handwashing guidance, throughout the workplace to raise awareness and promote safe practices?


• Are contractors and visitors manged appropriately? Potential control measures may include only allowing essential work to take place, providing handwashing facilities, and ensuring social distancing is maintained.


• What PPE, if any, is needed? Employees should be allowed to wear face coverings, along as this does not affect other PPE use.


“Knowledge is key, not only to ensure your plans are executed properly but also to help relieve anxiety.”


"


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52