The Government has now published detailed guidance called “Working Safely
During Coronavirus (COVID-19)” to assist UK employers in getting businesses
working again. Now that certain business sectors are allowed to re-open it
is crucial that workplaces are assessed so that the safest possible working
environment can be created to facilitate staff and contractors coming back
to work.
Covid-19 Risk Assessment
Carrying out a COVID-19 Risk Assessment is one of the 5 steps the
Government has stipulated as necessary in order to manage the risk of the
spread of coronavirus and the safety of staff returning to work. For full
details of these 5 steps please click
here
.
The risk assessment templates include a Return to Work Covid-19 Blank Risk
Assessment Form template for writing in your findings: the hazards you have
identified; the existing controls; the further measures and actions
required and when they have been completed. A worked example template risk
assessment form is also available for an office environment and includes an
option for a vulnerable person. This worked example can assist by prompting
the identification of hazards, those at risk, controls undertaken and
further actions.
It is imperative that each risk assessment is specific to each
business, location, department and staff member and that all measures,
controls and actions are carried out and not just recorded on the form.
The Government has advised that all business with 50 employees or more must
share the completed COVID-19 risk assessment forms with their workforce,
but it is recommended that all employers should do so, even if they have
less than 50 employees.
Covid-19 Daily Health Declaration Form
The Covid-19 Daily Health Declaration Form is for all staff, contractors
and visitors to complete on a daily basis to confirm that they have not
knowingly been in contact with an infected person, have been maintaining
social distancing and do not have symptoms themselves. A Covid-19 Daily
Health Check Declaration and Attendance Record is also available to
document the daily declarations.
The contents of this Newsletter are for reference purposes only and do not constitute
legal advice. Independent legal advice should be sought in relation to any specific
legal matter.