The Government has published guidance for employers to help them get their businesses back up and running while ensuring their employees are kept safe.
The guidelines have been developed with input from firms, unions, industry bodies and devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It has also been created with consultation from Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This has helped to develop best practice techniques to provide people with the confidence they need to return to work.
The new guidance covers eight workplace settings which can now re-open including outdoor environments, construction sites, factories and takeaways.
5 Key Points
This sets out practical steps for businesses which should be implemented as soon as it’s practical to do so.
1. Work from home, if you can
All reasonable steps should be taken by employers to help people work from home. For those who can’t work from home or whose workplace has not been told to close, you should go to work. Staff should speak to their employer about when their workplace will re-open.
2. 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. Employers 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. This will be compulsory for businesses with more than 50 employees.
3. Maintain two-metre social distancing, wherever possible
Employers should re-design workspaces to maintain the recommended two-metre distance between people. You can do this by staggering start times, creating one-way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits and changing seating layouts in break rooms.
4. Where people can’t be two metres apart, manage transmission risk
Employers should investigate putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams. This will help to minimise the number of people in contact with one another, or at least ensure colleagues are facing away from each other.
5. Reinforce 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.
Feel free to use the image below to display in your workplace to reassure your employees, customers and other visitors that you’re following this guidance. Alternatively, you can download the poster here.
Who does this guidance apply to?
Below we’ve listed all the industries impacted by the government’s latest announcement along with some helpful resources to help get your business up and running once again.
Please click on the sector and you will automatically be directed to the latest guidance.
- Construction and other outdoor work
- Factories, plants and warehouses
- Labs and research facilities
- Offices, contact centres and other similar environments
- Other people’s homes
- Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
- Shops and branches
- Vehicles (including couriers, mo
We’re operating as usual here at PKB to ensure that we’re on hand to provide you and your business with the support you need during these challenging times.
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