It is vital, now more than ever, to ensure Business’ comply with the Health and Safety Act, with Risk Assessments being reviewed to reflect the changing working environments on a regular basis. The Government's Working Safely Guidance can provide further help.
1. Maintaining control benefits your business by:
Forming the basis of your Business Continuity Plan: keeping the business open and profitable.
Ensuring your local communities across the county are protected now and in the future.
Boosting consumer confidence: enhances business reputation as a ‘safe’ business to visit.
Reducing the risk of transmissible disease, thus protecting staff, customers, and your business.
Giving staff and customers confidence to interact with each other safely.
Supporting employee wellness and mental health.
Reducing staff sickness and increasing staff retention.
2. Practical steps on how to maintain control
What was previously a legal requirement is now Government guidance. COVID has NOT gone away and can still AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS. You need to ensure that you maintain control to reduce the risk of ANY transmissible diseases (COVID variants, T.B, flu etc) by continuing with what you are already doing i.e.
Following the current Government guidance / legal obligations.
Reviewing your COVID 19 risk assessment when changes occur.
Supporting social distancing / restricting numbers (if required from Risk Assessment)
Ensuring that there is adequate ventilation and air movement. If possible, utilise outdoor areas. (please see our guide on ventilation)
Encouraging hand washing with soap and warm water. Providing Hand Sanitiser (at least
60% + alcohol)
Continuing with good hygiene / cleaning procedures.
Encourage employees to have the COVID vaccination: supplying them with accurate information. (You cannot legally force employees to take the vaccination.)
Encourage Employees to cover their nose / mouth when they cough / sneeze; staying at home if unwell / COVID symptoms occur etc.
Wearing of face masks (if required from risk assessment).
Ensuring regular staff training is undertaken.
Supplying relevant communications to staff, customers and stakeholders.
Encouraging twice weekly Lateral Flow Tests amongst staff.
Consider putting staff in work bubbles so that is infection rates go up you will have sufficient staff to continue running your business.
Things can change quickly, have risk assessment/issues list ready.
3. ADDITIONAL Controls / Suggestions you may want to consider:
Monitor local infection rates: This may prompt you to review your risk assessment.
Find out what are other businesses are doing within your sector.
If existing controls can remain in place, without impacting the business, can they remain as an additional control measure? i.e. one-way systems, barriers etc
Whilst considering ventilation controls, you should also be aware of potential noise nuisance. You should mitigate the risks within your risk assessment as it could impact on your licencing conditions i.e. your premises licence may include the requirement to shut windows and doors after a certain time.
4. WHO / WHAT can support you?
Your local Environmental Health Team, other council regulators and economic development teams
BBfA Trading Safely Toolkit
Business Improvement Districts (BIDS)
Hertfordshire Fire Protection
The Government Working Safely Sector Guides
Food Standards Agency
Health and Safety Executive
ACAS
For more information, visit the Better Business for All portal.