Helping Businesses Return to Work – How to Risk Assess your way beyond the lockdown

The government is currently consulting on its draft Return to Work guidelines, which we believe will be formally announced by the Prime Minister at the end of the week.  So, how can you prepare for this?

It is anticipated that companies with more than five employees will be required to produce a written risk assessment and put in place appropriate controls if they wish to re-open during the pandemic.

At OMS we have been fortunate in working with several organisations classed as ‘key workers’, who have continued to operate throughout the lockdown, under strict control measures.  Some of the organisations we are helping during this pandemic are leaders in the ‘Deep Cleaning and Decontamination’ Industry and their clients, such as NHS Hospitals require the highest of Health and Safety standards, with appropriate mitigation to be in place.  We have supported them in development of bespoke Safe Systems of Work including ‘Return to Work/ Coronavirus Working Risk Assessments, Procedures and Industry/ HSE Guidance, which have allowed them to continue operations under these difficult circumstances.

Some of the control measure which we have designed into their Health and Safety Systems include:

• Additional hygiene procedures and enhanced cleaning protocols in place, which will reduce the spread and transmission of the virus.
• COVID-19 Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work documented and clearly communicated to all employees and visitors.
• Design and delivery of COVID-19 training and tool box talks.
• Implementing alternative working practices, such as staggered start times/breaks, removal of hot-desking.
• Re-designing office areas, to allow for social distancing.
• One-way systems in and out of buildings.
• Staff canteens/restaurants re-designed or closed.
• Correct use of PPE, where appropriate.
• Introduction of Social Distancing Wardens/Champions, to advise employees and/or customers on how to behave.
• Limiting vehicle sharing.
• Limiting numbers in lifts and other confined space areas.
• Floor taping/cones to keep people apart.
• Improved ventilation.
• Protecting older workers, vulnerable groups and pregnant employees.

So, what happens if one of your employees contracts coronavirus and gets seriously ill, or dies, following their return to work?”  Clive Ormerod (CMIOSH) Managing Director of OMS believes that: “An employer is liable for injury (including illness) of an employee in the course of their employment if it is in breach of its duty of care to that employee, has acted negligently or is in breach of health and safety duties.  However, if an employer can demonstrate that it followed the government guidance, conducted a health and safety risk assessment and obtained advice from a health and safety specialist, they are unlikely to be liable.”

And don’t forget about the HSE’s recent guidance in relation to RIDDOR reporting, either as a Dangerous Occurrence or Exposure to a Biological Agent (see our separate blog on this).

Whilst there is no clear guidance yet, employers can keep one step ahead by planning now for the ‘new normal’. There is a lot of think about and put in place if you want to hit the ground running when the lockdown is eased.

There is clearly a great deal of anxiety about any potential return to work, but our experienced consultants are ready to assist you, where necessary, to ensure you have the correct systems in place and that essential safe working can be guaranteed to your employees and their families.