Spot inspections by HSE to ensure workplaces are Covid-secure

Spot inspections by HSE to ensure workplaces are Covid-secure

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently carrying out spot inspections in cities and towns where there are coronavirus outbreaks, to check that businesses are Covid-secure.

An inspection process involves checking that businesses are aware of the guidance, and advising where necessary on improvements needed to ensure the workplace is Covid-secure. Most recently, HSE conducted spot inspections on businesses in Bradford.

Working with other public local and national government authorities, inspectors are currently out and about visiting businesses, putting employers on the spot and checking that they are complying with the latest guidance.

Here are some practical steps that businesses can take to be Covid-secure before spot inspections are carried out by the HSE to ensure workplaces are Covid-secure:

Practical steps

• Step 1: Carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment
• Step 2: Develop increased cleaning, hand washing and hygiene procedures
• Step 3: Maintain 2m social distancing where possible
• Step 4: Where people cannot be 2m apart, manage transmission risk.

HSE has been utilising a number of different ways to gather intelligence and reach out to businesses with a combination of site visits, phone calls and through collection of supporting visual evidence.

Some of the most common issues that HSE and local authority inspectors are finding, across the country, include failing to:

• provide arrangements for monitoring, supervising and maintaining social distancing
• introduce an adequate cleaning regime — particularly at busy times of the day
• provide access to welfare facilities to allow employees to frequently wash their hands with warm water and soap.

You have an absolute legal duty to monitor, maintain and review all matters and arrangements of health and safety. By adhering to the Audit requirement and process an Organisation will be able to demonstrate that health and safety is pro-actively managed in accordance with legislative, Insurers and Fire Department requirements.

An Audit will also act as a suitable defence in a court of law, should either Civil or Criminal proceedings be instigated.

Contact us for further information.

Keep Safe!