This bulletin has been provided to us by the Health & Safety Executive
This week's digest contains the latest advice for employers and employees around coronavirus, including links to information for lone workers.
For regular updates on coronavirus visit our website.
HSE advises on the importance of fitting respirators correctly
If a respirator is incorrectly fitted, it will not provide you with protection.
HSE is advising healthcare workers currently using respiratory protective equipment (RPE) on the importance of ensuring it is fitted correctly.
Tight-fitting respirators rely on having a good seal with the wearer’s face. A face fit test should be carried out to ensure the RPE can protect the wearer.
Watch our video, featuring HSE's Chief Medical Advisor Professor David Fishwick, which provides guidance on how to fit RPE correctly.
You can also read HSE's press release about the importance of fitting RPE correctly.
Protecting lone workers
Due to social distancing, lone working has become far more common.
We have guidance for employers to keep lone workers healthy and safe.
Our recently revised leaflet Protecting lone workers: How to control the risks of working alone is for anyone who employs lone workers, or engages them as contractors etc, including self-employed people or those who work at home.
It has been updated to include advice on work-related violence, keeping in touch, and the impact of lone working on stress and mental health.
Social distancing guidelines
HSE has guidelines on how businesses must maintain social distancing and protect workers during the coronavirus outbreak.
The guidance explains what employers must do in order to protect workers and keep their businesses open. It covers:
- social distancing (employers who have people in their offices or onsite should ensure that employees are able, where possible, to follow the appropriate regulations and/or guidance for England, Scotland and Wales on social distancing)
- essential and non-essential work
- safe in-work activity
Examination and testing of lifting and pressure equipment during the outbreak
HSE has published advice to help dutyholders ensure their work plant and equipment remain safe to use during the coronavirus outbreak.
HSE recognises the potential challenges when carrying out legal requirements for thorough examination and testing (TE&T) of plant and equipment due to the additional precautions people need to take to help reduce risk of transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
View our guidance to help industry during this period.
More coronavirus guidance and advice from HSE
We have published the following guidance, which you may find useful:
- RIDDOR reporting of Covid-19
- working from home
- driver welfare facilities
- regulation of chemicals during the outbreak
- the manufacture and supply of hand sanitisers
For all the latest information and advice visit the coronavirus section of our website.
Published on Wednesday 22nd April 2020