New ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidelines are available to UK employers to help them get their businesses back up and running and workplaces operating as safely as possible.
The new guidance sets out practical steps for businesses focused on 5 key points, which should be implemented as soon as it is practical:
- Work from home, if you can
All reasonable steps should be taken by employers to help people work from home. But for those who cannot work from home and whose workplace has not been told to close, you should go to work.
- Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
This guidance operates within current health and safety employment and equalities legislation and employers will need to carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with their workers or trade unions, to establish what guidelines to put in place. If possible, employers should publish the results of their risk assessments on their website.
- Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
Employers should re-design workspaces to maintain 2 metre distances between people by staggering start times, creating one way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits, or changing seating layouts in break rooms.
- Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
Employers should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other.
- Reinforcing cleaning processes
Workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.
There are 8 guides to cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-contact-centres
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/shops-and-branches
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/vehicles
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/labs-and-research-facilities
We are here to help, so please contact us in the usual way – 01473 653000/hello@pshumanresources.co.uk
Stay safe,
Team PSHR
