HSE COVID-Secure Spot Checks Continue Throughout UK

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21 October 2020

As Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire move into tier three of lockdown, the Health and Safety Executive will continue to operate safety inspections to check for COVID-secure compliance throughout the UK.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out spot checks and inspections on all types of businesses in all areas, checking on COVID risk assessments. Inspectors are making thousands of visits and phone calls to businesses, to provide advice on how to manage the risks and protect workers, customers and visitors. 

By calling and visiting premises and speaking directly to employers, the HSE can check the measures they've put in place are in line with government guidance.

“All workplaces are in scope which means businesses of any size, in any sector can receive an unannounced check, by us or a local authority.”

–Sally Nicholson

Head of Operations, North West, HSE 

What To Expect at an Inspection

This video explains how the HSE’s inspectors can help you keep your workplace COVID-secure. It covers how spot inspections work, what our inspectors will need to check, advice they can provide, and actions they will take if employers are not managing the risk of coronavirus spreading.

Spot Checks at Scottish Schools

The HSE has been carrying out a programme of COVID-secure school spot checks in Scotland regarding the implementation of school reopening guidance.

Using coloured spots to highlight frequency touched points and introducing alternatives to staggered start and stop times were some of the examples of good practice carried out by schools in Scotland to ensure they are COVID-secure.

Since August, a total of 500 schools have been contacted to check they are COVID-secure and compliant with the Scottish government’s school reopening guidance.

Liverpool City Inspections

The HSE is also working with Sefton Council to inspect businesses in the Liverpool city area, which is currently under the highest lockdown tier.

Sally Nicholson, HSE Head of Operations, North West, said: “Across the country we are working with local authorities, like Sefton Council, ensuring businesses are checked and are COVID-secure.

“All workplaces are in scope which means businesses of any size, in any sector can receive an unannounced check, by us or a local authority.

“If you are contacted by the HSE or your local authority, please engage with us as it is your duty to ensure employees and visitors at a workplace are protected from the virus.

“By making sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of local communities as well as support the local and national UK economy.”

Picture: A graphic showing a checklist on a clipboard

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 21 October 2020

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