Risk Assessment for Re-opening a Hotel or B&B
If you are in the process of re-opening a hotel or B&B then you must follow the appropriate COVID-19 related Government guidance. A crucial part of this guidance is for workplaces to be risk assessed so that the safest possible environment can be created for staff and guests.
Risk Assessment Form for Hotels and B&Bs (Worked Example)
A new Worked Example Risk Assessment Form for Hotels and B&Bs is now available. The worked example is designed to help your assessor get started when they carry out a risk assessment for your particular hotel or bed and breakfast establishment and should only be used as a guide/hints list when applying the COVID-19 Return to Work Blank Risk Assessment Form to your own particular premises. The idea of these worked examples is to prompt the identification of hazards, those at risk, controls undertaken and further actions.
This example risk assessment form is based on a hypothetical medium sized hotel with restaurant and bar, with indoor and outdoor seating availability. A booking reservation system is in place for hotel rooms and dining. It provides for individual rooms with en-suite bathrooms and suites with a shared bathroom, and room service. The content of this example will also assist with B&Bs.
The example risk assessment forms for Office, Shop and Pub/Restaurant have also been updated to provide for new Government guidance on face coverings.
Carrying out a 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 and customers/guests returning to the premises. 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 risk assessment findings: the hazards you have identified; the existing controls; the further measures and actions required and when they have been completed.
It is imperative that any 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. It is important to make sure that “you have done enough” in your risk assessment.
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.
The Worked Example Risk Assessment Forms for Shops, Offices and Restaurants have also been updated to include the latest provisions in respect of face masks.
These documents are also available in the Employment folder of document templates.
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.