HSE Covid 19 Updates
For FISA Update 23rd October 2020
HSE spot check calls – you must engage with us
As more areas become subject to local lockdown measures, all businesses are being reminded by HSE that they have a duty to ensure their workplace is COVID-secure.
HSE is currently carrying out spot checks and inspections on businesses across the country.
For those businesses that fail to manage and control risks effectively, HSE can take enforcement action.
If the inspector finds any issues that breach COVID-secure guidelines, they might:
- offer advice (either verbal or in writing)
- stop certain work practices until they are made safe
- give an improvement notice
- give a prohibition notice
- prosecute for breaching health and safety laws
We always make it clear to duty holders which issues are subject to enforcement, and the measures they must take to achieve compliance, including timescales.
Please ensure your workplace is safe by following the guidance on being COVID-secure and visiting our spot checks and inspections page.
Further information on HSE’s enforcement powers is available on our website.
Details on new local COVID alert levels set out by the Prime Minister
On the 12 October the Prime Minister announced how the government will further simplify and standardise local rules by introducing a three-tiered system of local COVID alert levels in England.
There are different restrictions in Scotland and Wales.
More information on local COVID alert levels in England is available on GOV.UK from the Department for Health and Social Care. There is also guidance on the restrictions in place which includes information for businesses and venues, and for people going to work:
Protecting home workers during the pandemic
Employers have the same health and safety responsibilities for employees working from home as for any other employees.
If your people are working from home you should:
- provide the equipment they need, for example a computer, phone and videoconferencing facilities
- keep in regular contact with them, making sure you discuss their wellbeing
Our guidance explains the measures you should put in place to protect home workers and covers:
- lone working without supervision
- working with display screen equipment
- stress and mental health
Guidance on protecting home workers
Manual handling at work
As an employer, you must protect your workers from the risks of manual handling.
Manual handling means transporting or supporting a load by hand or bodily force. It includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving loads.
Make sure that you prevent these sort of risks in your workplace with our step-by-step guide.
Our downloadable leaflet, Manual handling at work: a brief guide, explains the problems associated with manual handling and gives guidance on how to deal with them.
Mental health at work – a virtual conference
Coronavirus has caused a great deal of anxiety – building fears about our own and our families’ health, income and future. This has been made worse by isolated working, the feeling of always being ‘on’ and uncertainty about the future.
Workplace experts Acas have lots of free resources to help employers, managers and staff support mental health.
This includes advice, e-learning, webinars, and on 10 November, a virtual conference packed with ways to effectively manage, provide support and minimise the impacts of negative mental health in your workplace.
Additional Acas employer support includes tailored support for workplaces and a free employer callback service (call 0330 123 1100 and hit ‘1’).
COVID updates and guidance
HSE has published a range of coronavirus-related guidance and information, which you may find useful.
It includes:
- RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19
Guidance on what to report, dangerous occurrences, cases of disease, work-related deaths and how to make a report online
For all the latest information and advice visit our coronavirus pages.