This bulletin has been provided to us by the HSE
This week's digest contains links to advice on using personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as advice on wearing face coverings and face masks, during the coronavirus outbreak.
There are also links to advice on stress and mental health, details of a new safety alert eBulletin, as well as information on recent enforcement activity that HSE has undertaken.
For all the latest updates visit our website.
Using PPE and face coverings during the outbreak
The coronavirus outbreak has not changed employers’ duty to make sure people are not exposed to hazardous substances as part of their work.
Make sure you have read our latest advice on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
During the outbreak, HSE has worked with others to develop guidance about current issues with PPE in both:
- health and social care work (including fit testing face masks)
- non-healthcare work (including supply issues)
You can also read our latest advice on using face coverings and face masks during the outbreak.
Work-related stress, worker wellbeing and mental health
The coronavirus outbreak has increased pressure on workers and HSE has resources to help employers support them with stress and mental health conditions.
Planning, training and support can all reduce pressure and bring stress levels down.
Our guidance can help you support employee mental health by managing work-related stress. It includes a talking tool kit to help prevent stress in the changing working environment.
There is also advice for line managers to help them support workers with mental health conditions.
Coronavirus-related updates and advice from HSE
HSE has published a range of guidance and advice, which you may find useful.
It includes information on:
- Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak
Our guidance will help you manage the risk associated with restarting or running your business, across a number of topics. - Hand sanitiser and surface disinfectants
Advice on how to use, manufacture and supply hand sanitiser and surface disinfectant. - Contact HSE
Help and advice on how to protect people from coronavirus in your workplace. - Health and medical surveillance
Guidance supporting a proportionate and flexible approach to enable health and medical surveillance during the outbreak - Making workplaces COVID-secure
Guidance that will help your workplace be COVID-secure and manage the risk associated with running your business at this time.
For all the latest information and advice visit our coronavirus microsite.
Get notified of HSE safety alerts as they are published
Sign-up to our new eBulletin notifying you of HSE safety alerts, as they are published...
HSE sporadically issues safety alerts to keep people up to date with failures in equipment, process, procedures and substances used in the workplace.
Safety alerts are for major faults that could result in a serious or fatal injury or ill health, and where immediate remedial action is required. For instance, last week HSE issued a safety alert about the poor quality of face masks claiming to be KN95.
You can now subscribe to our new Safety Alerts eBulletin and get information on these alerts to your inbox, as they are published on our website.
Published on Thursday 18th June 2020