How to Make your Workplace Covid Secure
While many businesses are back operating under new Covid friendly regulations, there are many workplaces where staff are still yet to return. This transition from home to office working could be a daunting process for many, that’s why it’s essential your staff feel they are coming back to a Covid safe workspace.
This helpful, Covid secure guide will take you step-by-step through the measures you must take to stop the spread, and protect your workforce.
While measures will vary depending on your sector and the activities as a company you undertake, there are several fundamental principles that apply across the UK work sector.
How to create a Covid secure workplace
1. Risk assess
Before any workplace resumes, you must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. This will ensure that your organisation has covered all bases in determining what control measures must be put in place moving forward.
A risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety regulations. While it’s important to understand that there will always be a risk posed by Covid-19, you must be able to demonstrate that you are taking all the steps necessary to keep people safe.
2. Keep up to date with guidance
You must keep up to date with the latest sector-specific guidance on working safely during the Coronavirus. The UK Government has published a guide which is intended to ensure businesses are ‘Covid-19 secure’.
3. Think about your employees
While reopening your office, or business may look like a switch to normality, the risk of infection is still very much there. This can make employees feel anxious, whether this be for their own health, the worry of bringing the virus home to loved ones.
4. Consider vulnerable workers
5. Promote and apply high hygiene standards
- Ensure surfaces, door handles, and touchpoints are cleaned regularly using disinfectants.
- Encourage employees to use hand sanitiser at regular intervals with dispenser stands.
- Provide hand washing facilities and offer significant signage with clear instructions.
- Provide disposable masks and set clear guidelines for usage.
6. Ensure social distancing is in place
Where possible, keep people 2 metres apart. If not viable, maintain 1 metre with risk mitigation.
7. Keep close track of third parties
Anyone entering your building, such as cleaners, maintenance workers, or contractors, must be made aware of your Covid safety measures.
What to do if an employee contracts Covid-19
If an employee becomes symptomatic, send them home to self-isolate, disinfect any potentially contaminated surfaces, and encourage testing.
