Did you know – The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out spot checks and inspections on businesses to ensure they are COVID-secure and managing the risk of coronavirus.

HSE inspectors are calling and visiting workplaces, often unannounced, and putting employers on the spot to make sure they are following COVID-secure guidelines – and rightly so.

During the spot inspections, the inspectors provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers and visitors, but where businesses are not managing this, they will take immediate action. This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution. They can charge you for their time through ‘Fee For Intervention’ which currently stands at £157 + VAT per hour.

To be COVID-secure means businesses need to keep up to date with the latest guidance and put measures in place to manage the risk and protect workers and others. Here are some practical steps that businesses can take:

✔ Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment

✔ Develop increased cleaning, hand washing and hygiene procedures

✔ Take all reasonable steps to help people work from home

✔ Maintain two-metre social distancing where possible

✔ Where people cannot be two metres apart, manage transmission risk

Companies of any size, in any sector, can receive a call from HSE and a follow-up inspection, alternatively, they could get an unannounced visit.

HSE is also working with local authorities and assisting them in checking premises in the sectors they regulate, such as hospitality and retail.

By making sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks of coronavirus, it can benefit the health of the local community as well as support the national economy.

If you are contacted in any way, you must cooperate and engage with our inspectors.