BUSINESS HELPDESK HELP DESK WITH TEST AND TRACE STAY SAFE


Paul Barker, Health and Safety Consultant at Southalls, the company that provides the BMF Safety Plus service, explains how to stay safe and maintain business continuity


2020 WILL GO down in history as the year of COVID-19. While there is positive news on the new vaccines that will help in the future, right now we must remain vigilant and follow all necessary measures to break the chain of transmission. One such measure is the NHS Test and Trace programme, which was created to pinpoint positive cases of COVID-19, identify their close circle of contacts and prevent the illness being passed to others by requiring the individual to self- isolate at home for at least 10 days. Following a positive test, the individual will also receive a text, email or phone call from NHS Test and Trace to request details about their household, close contacts and places they visited in the 48 hours before they became unwell. Test and Trace then informs those people of possible exposure and instructs them to stay home for 14 days, even if they don’t have symptoms.


What does Test and Trace mean for your business?


We know some businesses are concerned that this could trigger costly breaks in productivity if employees are asked to self-isolate. So how do you maintain business continuity while caring for your team and the wider community?


The demands of Test and Trace have forced many companies to strike a precarious balance between team safety and business survival. If staff are classed as close contacts and directed to self-isolate, owners risk losing substantial numbers of their workforce. Without


• Being within 1 to 2 metres of each other for more than 15 minutes – including travelling in a small vehicle or close to them on a plane


These definitions are vital if a team member receives a positive test result. During contact with the Test and Trace service, the employee should only identify staff who fit the above criteria. This will avoid other workers being unnecessarily instructed to self-isolate.


A COVID-19 outbreak within your workforce can cause long-term health issues for employees and lasting reputational damage for your business.


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enough employees to safely run operations, temporary or permanent site closures become very real prospects.


But a disciplined approach to social distancing and staff training can make all the difference.


Implement best practice COVID-19 controls Carry out a coronavirus risk assessment to locate transmission hazards across your site, then follow up regularly to ensure control measures are properly implemented and monitored. Educate staff on the importance of social distancing – and the specific measures you’ve put in place (such as segregated


December 2020 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


workstations, Perspex screens and one-way systems) to protect customers and colleagues. Get started with Southalls’ free, downloadable resources including printable posters and a business guide to social distancing.


Train staff on the definition of ‘close contact’


To drive home the importance of social distancing, make sure employees understand exactly what ‘close contact’ means. According to the NHS, examples include: • Having close face-to-face contact (under 1 metre) with a person for any length of time – including talking to them or coughing on them


Access expert help A COVID-19 outbreak within your workforce can cause long- term health issues for employees and lasting reputational damage for your business, so arm yourself with the most current health and safety strategies. Southalls’ COVID-19 compliance check identifies weak links in your coronavirus safety programme, provides practical recommendations and ensures you’re operating in line with changing regulations for your sector. BMJ


Southalls specialise in helping builders merchants stay on top of their health and safety legal requirements, keeping their staff and customers safe, and their businesses compliant. For information about the BMF Safety Plus service or to discuss any health and safety matter, please get in touch with the Southalls team on 0345 257 4015 or


safetyadvice@southalls.com 11


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