FEATURE WORKPLACE SAFETY
In this article, David Ford, compliance lead at CHAS, outlines some key considerations for managing Health & Safety in the age of coronavirus.
1
KEEP COVID RISK ASSESSMENTS UP TO DATE
The progress of the Coronavirus vaccination program and falling infection rates are encouraging news, but with the potential for a third wave, it is likely businesses will need to manage the risk of coronavirus for the foreseeable future. Any business that has remained
operational during the COVID pandemic will have undertaken a COVID risk assessment to identify reasonable steps to protect workers and others from coronavirus. It is important to remember that COVID risk assessments should be updated to reflect any changes in legislation or guidance that could impact how you operate, such as a change in local or national restrictions. See Working safely during coronavirus
(COVID-19) and Coronavirus (COVID-19): working safely to keep up-to-date with the latest guidance.
HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE AGE OF CORONAVIRUS
3
CHECK SUPPLY CHAINS ARE COVID- SECURE
It is also essential to check that the risk of COVID transmission is being taken seriously throughout your supply chains and to look for evidence that any contractors working on your site are committed to COVID-secure practices. This is especially important because many companies have had to diversify their supply chains to remain operational during the pandemic. Anyone who regularly employs contractors
can access a database of companies who have completed a COVID-secure Statement of Best Practice for no charge via CHAS’s free Client Portal. In addition, do not forget to ensure all
2
REVIEW THE IMPACT OF COVID- SECURE PRACTICES
Many COVID-secure measures were implemented at speed so it is useful to review their impact and effectiveness. Have any COVID-secure practices had an overwhelmingly positive impact and would they be worth sustaining even if guidelines are relaxed? For example, have more rigorous Cleaning & Hygiene practices improved workplace comfort? Conversely, have any measures had an
excessively negative impact and can anything be done to counter this? For example, frequent hand washing and sanitising can take its toll on skin health and additional cleaning responsibilities can be exhausting. Introducing hand care products and considering how extra cleaning jobs can be managed in a sustainable way can help.
26 SUMMER 2021 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE
contractors understand their obligations around health and Safety and have the correct management systems in place. CHAS’s free Client Portal also provides access to a database of accredited contractors who meet a wide range of health and safety assessment criteria.
4
REINFORCE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES
Coronavirus has been a significant distraction over the past year with the potential to divert attention from core health & safety issues. It is too early to understand the full impact of the pandemic on health and safety statistics but the Building Safety Group reported an 84 per cent increase in the number of ‘Working at Height’ breaches taking place in the first quarter of 2021 which is clearly a cause for concern. HSE statistics also show stress, depression and anxiety are on the rise accounting for 51 per cent of new and long standing cases of work related ill health in 2019-2020. Respiratory issues also remain a consistent cause for concern. It is therefore beneficial to reinforce wider expectations around health and safety and consider whether the profile of any specific issues needs to be raised within your organisation.
/ INDUSTRIALCOMPLIANCE
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