5 steps to working safely

Practical actions for businesses to take based on 5 main steps.
Make sure you read all the guides relevant to your workplace. Each guide has specific actions for businesses to take based on these steps. Further guidance will be published as more businesses are able to reopen.

1. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment

Before restarting work you should ensure the safety of the workplace by:

carrying out a risk assessment in line with the HSE guidance
consulting with your workers or trade unions
sharing the results of the risk assessment with your workforce and on your website

2. Develop cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures
You should increase the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning by:

encouraging people to follow the guidance on hand washing and hygiene
providing hand sanitiser around the workplace, in addition to washrooms
frequently cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are touched regularly
enhancing cleaning for busy areas
setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets
providing hand drying facilities – either paper towels or electrical dryers

3. Help people to work from home
You should take all reasonable steps to help people work from home by:

discussing home working arrangements
ensuring they have the right equipment, for example remote access to work systems
including them in all necessary communications
looking after their physical and mental wellbeing

4. Maintain 2m social distancing, where possible
Where possible, you should maintain 2m between people by:

putting up signs to remind workers and visitors of social distancing guidance
avoiding sharing workstations
using floor tape or paint to mark areas to help people keep to a 2m distance
arranging one-way traffic through the workplace if possible
switching to seeing visitors by appointment only if possible

5. Where people cannot be 2m apart, manage transmission risk
Where it’s not possible for people to be 2m apart, you should do everything practical to manage the transmission risk by:

considering whether an activity needs to continue for the business to operate
keeping the activity time involved as short as possible
using screens or barriers to separate people from each other
using back-to-back or side-to-side working whenever possible
staggering arrival and departure times
reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed teams or partnering’

 

What evidence can you provide that you have read the government rules, guidance and/or restrictions?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/construction-and-other-outdoor-work

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

  • General level – in the community
  • Workplace – specific to the training environment