"As businesses re-open and workers return to the workplace, employers are having to adapt their working environments to manage the risk posed by coronavirus.
To minimise the risk of infection in the workplace, HSE is carrying out spot checks and inspections on businesses to ensure they are COVID-secure. We are doing this by calling and visiting premises to speak to duty-holders to check the measures they’ve put in place are in line with the current guidance.
We are doing spot checks and inspections on all types of businesses, in all areas. During the checks we provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors. Where businesses are not managing this, we will take immediate action in one of the following ways:
- - Providing specific advice
- - Issuing enforcement notices
- - Stopping certain work practices until they are made safe
- - Prosecution where a business fails to comply
Being COVID-secure means being adaptable to the current guidelines, and HSE’s inspection approach will adapt as workplaces in different sectors manage the coronavirus risks that apply to them. Most employers want to do the right thing, and HSE is here to help and provide advice.
We are also working closely with local authorities assisting them in their targeting of premises in the sectors they regulate such as hospitality and retail.
If you receive a call from us, you must participate in the spot check as you have a duty under health and safety law to engage with us. Please note that the call will currently come up as an unknown number."
Click here for the full HSE article with advice on how to make your business COVID-secure.
To ensure your workplace has all the necessary protection shop here.