Coronavirus - Health & Safety At Work
Today (14 July) government published Step 4 guidance for Offices, factories and labs so that they may plan return to work, or indeed how you may continue. In England this currently means from 19 July onwards. Emphasis is placed on 8 key areas: Risk Assessments, Who should go to work, Ventilation, Reducing contact for workers, Reducing risk for customers/visitors/contractors, Cleaning the workplace, PPE & face coverings, and Workforce management. Members are advised see the guidance in more detail on gov.uk but a short summary follows here:
THINKING ABOUT RISK
To reduce risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures.
That all employers carry out a risk assessment that includes the risk of COVID-19.
WHO SHOULD GO TO WORK
To support a safe return to the workplace. To help businesses engage with their workers to find an approach that best suits their needs.
To support those who are at a higher risk of infection and/or an adverse outcome if infected.
To stop people physically coming to work, when government guidance advises them to stay at home.
VENTILATION
To use ventilation to mitigate the risk of aerosol spread of COVID-19 in enclosed spaces.
REDUCING CONTACT FOR WORKERS
Reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 by reducing the number of people workers come into contact with.
To reduce contact between people when they’re at their workplaces and workstations, if possible.
REDUCING RISK FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS, VISITORS AND CONTRACTORS
To make sure people understand what they need to do to maintain safety.
CLEANING THE WORKPLACE
To make sure any site or location that has been closed or partially operated is clean, and ready to restart.
To keep the workplace clean and prevent the spread of COVID-19 from touching contaminated surfaces.
To help everyone keep good hygiene through the working day.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in customer changing rooms.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 through contact with objects coming into the workplace, and vehicles at the worksite.
PPE & FACE COVERINGS
Where you’re already using PPE in your work activity to protect against non-COVID-19 risks, you should keep doing so. Any use of PPE should be determined by an assessment of risks in the workplace.
Face coverings are no longer required by law. However, the government expects and recommends that people continue to wear face coverings in crowded, enclosed spaces.
WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT
To provide guidance if there is a COVID-19 outbreak in your workplace.
To keep people safe when they travel between locations.
To make sure all workers understand COVID-19 related safety procedures.
To make sure all workers are updated on how you’re implementing or updating safety measures.
Covid – What is changing on 19 July?
On Monday 12 July, PM Boris Johnson announced that government will be ‘setting out’ guidance for business over the summer, although no timescale has been given for this yet. However, in a much publicized (and still hotly debated) move, government have announced that the majority of covid guidance and legal restrictions will be lifted in England on 19 July. Full information on the changes will be available on gov.uk but they are summarized for BPF members here. For changes in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, members are advised to visit their government websites.
Covid Changes in England: Download
COMPULSORY TESTING AND VACCINATION – What you need to know
The introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine has raised questions regarding the implications of an employer insisting on compulsory testing and compulsory vaccination. In an article - produced in conjunction with Keebles LLP, UK top 200 full-service law firm which supports clients regionally, nationally and internationally - both issues will be discussed. Read the full story here.
ACAS have provided some useful information for employers wishing to support staff in getting the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine once it's offered to them. The advice points to health advice about the vaccine in England, Scotland and Wales and covers:
- How to support staff to get the vaccine
- If an employer feels it's important for staff to be vaccinated
- Resolving an issue about getting the vaccine
You can find the advice here.
Please find resources below to help make your business secure against the spread of the virus.
The information below is subject to updates, so please check back in.
(Video produced 31 March - guidelines within the video are taken from UK government advice, alongside some tips from BPF members)
Guidance for Good Manufacturing Practice (Version 3)
Members of BPF’s Industrial Health and Safety Committee have collaborated to produce good practice guidance for the sector to combat transmission of the coronavirus. The document outlines measures that could be applied to production lines, shift handovers, sanitisation procedures and wellbeing tips for home workers.
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Posters
Please feel free to use these posters on-site to help instruct staff how to properly behave in order to reduce the spread of infection. These coronavirus guidance posters cover every aspect of good practice to keep offices and factories secure. These messages assure staff that you take their wellbeing seriously and encourage them to do the same. The BPF wishes to thank Epwin Group for providing these posters.
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BPF Summary of Government Guidance
The government released it’s ‘Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)’ guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. The guidance was published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 11 May after PM Boris Johnson urged people to return to work as part of the first phase of a plan to lift lockdown restrictions.
The 31-page document has been broken down into eight chapters. BPF were invited to take part in the consultation process of the ‘Factories, plants and warehouses’ chapter following publication of our own guidance for the plastics sector: COVID-19: Guidance on Good Manufacturing Practice 2nd & 3rd Editions.
The Government’s guidance is gathered from Public Health England and industry best practice across a wide range of sectors. The guidance can be found here, but a summary is presented for BPF members in this document.
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Easing of Lockdown Restrictions: A short summary
On the 23 June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs. For BPF members, we understand that many of you have been implementing innovative measures to keep your staff safe while continuing production and are happy to maintain these strategies until lockdown is finally over. However, for the 4 July relaxing of lockdown measures we have summarised some of government’s advice that will be most relevant to you and your staff.
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Webinars: Maintaing Production Through Coronavirus
Operating Safely and Maintaining Production through COVID-19
Webinar Operating Safely and Maintaining Production through COVID 19
First Aid Advice
First aid remains a crucial skill even as the country, business and industry deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. St John’s Ambulance has put together advice for first aiders so that you can continue to keep those you care for and yourself safe. This advice is available online here.
HSE have now produced guidance covering first aid requirements in non-healthcare settings during the outbreak, as well as first aid cover and qualifications at this time. Find it here.
Useful Resources and Links
BPF COVID-19 site - https://www.bpf.co.uk/coronavirus/guidance-main.aspx
Government social distancing advice for employers to follow in the workplace
Further government guidance for employers, businesses and their staff on staying safe during the coronavirus including advice on shift patterning and staff canteens.
Health and Safety Executive coronavirus guidance
Health and Safety Executive plant and equipment examination guidance
RIDDOR reporting of the coronavirus
Government FAQs on the coronavirus
Government information for NI businesses and employers
Government information for Scottish businesses
Government information for Welsh businesses
Coronavirus and your wellbeing
British Safety Council Useful information for employers
Fit testing face masks to avoid transmission during the coronavirus outbreak
Construction Leadership Council
