Corona Virus

HSE Stakeholder eBulletin: 12 October 2020

This bulletin has been provided to UKATA by the HSE.

HSE spot check calls – you must engage with us

As coronavirus transmission rates are rising, it’s more important than ever that businesses are doing all they can to manage the risk.

HSE is reminding all businesses that they may receive a call to check they’re COVID-secure.

Inspectors are busy contacting workplaces across the country through a programme of spot checks and inspections. This is to ensure all businesses are complying with the latest government guidance to make sure workplaces are COVID-secure.

Being COVID-secure means a business has carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and has implemented cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures in line with the guidance. It also means that they have taken all reasonable steps to help people work safely from a COVID-19 secure workplace or work from home and introduced social distancing steps in the workplace.

As part of the checks, we may provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors at a workplace. Where businesses are not managing this, we will take immediate action which can include enforcement.

If you receive a call from us, you must participate as you have a duty under health and safety law to engage with us. It can also be a benefit for your staff and business.

More on spot checks and inspections

Protecting vulnerable workers during the coronavirus pandemic

You should make sure you consider the risk to workers who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and put controls in place to reduce that risk.

Our guidance explains what you should do as an employer to protect vulnerable workers during the pandemic.

It covers the following topics:

  • supporting workers in higher-risk groups
  • clinically extremely vulnerable workers
  • supporting extremely vulnerable workers returning to work
  • protections in local lockdown areas
  • pregnant workers

There are also links to the latest information on shielding and protecting workers in England, Scotland and Wales.

Guidance on protecting vulnerable workers

COVID updates and guidance

HSE has published a range of coronavirus-related guidance and information, which you may find useful.

It includes:

  • Gas safety
    Guidance for landlords, gas engineers and clinically vulnerable (shielded) tenants
  • First aid
    First aid requirements in non-healthcare settings, as well as first aid cover and qualifications, during the pandemic

Visit our coronavirus pages for the latest information and advice.

UK Transition Business Webinars: Prepare your business for new rules from January 2021

The UK has left the EU and is leaving the EU single market and customs union. The end of the transition period means businesses should act now to prepare for changes and new rules from January 2021.

Join a free BEIS webinar to understand the actions that your business needs to take before the end of the year.

Sign-up to attend.

To make sure you receive the information you need to get your business ready, you can sign-up for free updates on our website.

For further advice on the things you might need to check and change in your business before the transition period ends, go to GOV.UK

Published on Monday 12th October 2020

Posted in News