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Recently launched by the Health and Safety Executive, the Work Right campaign has the goal of getting businesses thinking carefully about health and safety on an individual basis. Spot inspections are also being undertaken by HSE inspectors, with a view to ensuring compliance with COVID-Secure guidance.

Work Right brings together a number of simple to follow suggestions, together with practical advice, all geared towards helping you manage the risks that are relevant to your workplace, including those brought about by COVID-19. The overall aim is to ensure your business is COVID-Secure.

What is ‘COVID-Secure’?

In order to be classed as ‘COVID-Secure', changes need to be made within the workplace to accommodate the latest government guidelines on cleaning and hygiene procedures and social distancing. The important thing is that businesses approach this from an individual point of view, because the risks for one workplace could be very different to those of another. This is precisely why a COVID-19 specific Risk Assessment is absolutely crucial.

There are five practical steps for businesses to follow so that they can be classed as COVID-Secure. These are:

1. Carry out a COVID-19 Risk Assessment
2. Introduce enhanced hygiene, cleaning and hand-washing procedures
3. Stick to the current government rules on social distancing wherever possible
4. Where social distancing cannot be observed, put other measures in place to manage the risk of transmission
5. Take all reasonable steps to allow staff to work from home

How do COVID-Secure spot check inspections work?

HSE inspectors are undertaking workplace checks, selecting businesses at random to ensure they are complying with COVID-Secure guidance. Currently, attention is being focused on areas of the country where there have been reported rises in coronavirus outbreaks.

The inspectors are asking duty holders to present evidence of the steps taken to minimise the specific risks posed by COVID-19. Where it transpires that an employer is not managing the risks sufficiently, inspectors will either provide specific guidance to help them comply; issue an enforcement notice, or bar whatever working practices they deem unsafe until steps are taken to resolve the issues raised.

If a business fails to comply with any of these measures, prosecution may follow.

It has been reported by the HSE that a number of common problems have been identified across various industry sectors. These include failure to:

• Put an adequate cleaning regime in place, in particular during busier times
• Provide access to welfare facilities to allow staff to wash their hands with soap and warm water whenever necessary
• Monitor, supervise and maintain social distancing measures

How will the Work Right campaign prove beneficial during the pandemic?

The consequences associated with workplace illness or injury can be far-reaching for everyone involved. Whether it's the person who's actually affected, or their family, close colleagues or the business in general, there are many reasons in favour of doing whatever is possible to avoid such situations, especially during a pandemic, where the associated problems are exacerbated and can even have a much wider impact upon entire industry sectors.

The Work Right campaign will allow the HSE to provide the guidance and support businesses require to make it through these difficult times.

Higher-risk groups

Those who may be at a higher risk of being infected by the virus, or who may experience adverse effects if they do become infected:

• Older males
• Those with a high body mass index (BMI)
• Those with diabetes and other health conditions
• People from some black, Asian or minority ethnicity backgrounds

Clinically extremely vulnerable workers

Previously described as ‘shielded', these workers will be at an increased risk of severe illness should they contract COVID-19. Such workers are now, in general, able to attend a workplace that is COVID-secure, although where possible, they should be encouraged to work from home.

Clinically extremely vulnerable workers who live in an area where extra public health measures have prompted a move to return to shielding are currently advised to stay home and shield. These rules may vary depending on the geographic location, so specific Public Health England advice for individual areas should always be followed.

Up to date guidance on who is classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, and how they should be protected (and protect themselves), can be found here on the Public Health England website.

Pregnant workers

Under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have an added duty to protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers who work, which includes putting measures in place to ensure workplace safety where a considerable risk is identified for a new or expectant mother.

Pregnant workers have been advised to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines so that they are not exposed to the risk of severe illness as a result of COVID-19. Some will be at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus, and will therefore fall under the clinically extremely vulnerable bracket.

Further Assistance

If you could benefit from some expert assistance in preparing your legally-required COVID-19 Risk Assessment, or require general guidance on creating a COVID-Secure workplace that is safe for all categories of workers, you are welcome to get in touch with PMR Solutions. Our advice is fully tailored to individual needs and backed by extensive industry knowledge and long term experience.