Changes
After July 19th, the government will no longer require those who can work from home to do so. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, it is essential that you know how your staff can return to work safely.
Here is a checklist of 6 essential steps you have to take to ensure a safe return to the workplace based on the latest government advice.
Find a downloadable version of the checklist at the bottom of this post that you can send to all employees returning to work.
1. Risk Assessment
To know what measures you should put in place, complete a health and safety risk assessment that includes risk from COVID 19. Consider reasonable adjustments needed for staff and customers with disabilities. Share it with all staff and keep updating it.
2. Ventilation
COVID-19 is an airborne virus, therefore keeping a constant airflow is key to stopping virus particles from hanging around. You can identify poorly ventilated spaces using CO2 monitors, where CO2 is high, there is little ventilation. You can increase airflow through a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation. Keep doors and windows open and use fans as well as vents. Additionally, it is important to note that any ventilation system used circulates fresh air instead of recycling air since this doesn’t get rid of virus particles.
3. Clean often
In addition to spreading through the air, COVID-19 particles stay on contaminated surfaces. This means disinfecting surfaces and hands keeps the virus from spreading. You should focus on surfaces that get touched a lot. Make sure hand sanitiser is available throughout the workplace so employees keep sanitising regularly.
4. Turn away people with COVID-19 symptoms
Customers, staff, and contractors who have a temperature, consistent cough, fatigue, or loss of taste or smell should not come in. They only come in after a negative test. Furthermore, they must isolate if they are told to do so by the NHS track and trace app.
5. Check in
Businesses should continue using their check in feature. Have an NHS QR code as well as a manual option for those without the app. Tracking the spread is key to stopping the virus from spreading.
6. Keep Communicating
Finally, keep staff, contractors, and customers up to date on what safety measures are being taken. They are more likely to use these measures if they are reminded. Maintaining a high standard is key.
Keep safety in mind
Download the return to work safety checklist, send it to your employees, and have it up in your workplace. Fulfil your responsibility to your employees by keeping safety in mind.
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