Skip to main content
IOSH Magazine: Safety, Health and Wellbeing in the world of work - return to the homepage IOSH Magaazine logo
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit @ioshmagazine on Twitter
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on LinkedIn
Gender equality
Practice meets perfect
May/June 2023 issue

Main navigation

  • Home
    • Browse previous issues
    • Member accolades
    • Member tributes
  • Health
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Sickness absence
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Rehabilitation
      • Personal injury
      • Return to work
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Achieving Fellowship
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Professional skills
      • Qualifications
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Jobs
  • Covid-19
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Back to basics
    • Book club
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Products & Services
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Sickness absence
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Leadership
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Qualifications
      • Professional skills
      • Achieving Fellowship
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Transport and logistics
  • Third sector
  • Retail
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Rail
  • Rehabilitation
    • Personal injury
    • Return to work
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing and engineering
  • Construction
  • Sector: IOSH Branch
    • Sector: Northern Ireland
    • Sector: Midland
    • Sector: Merseyside
    • Sector: Manchester and North West Districts
    • Sector: Ireland East
    • Sector: Ireland
    • Sector: Edinburgh
    • Sector: Desmond-South Munster
    • Sector: Qatar
    • Sector: Oman
    • Singapore
    • Sector: South Coast
    • Sector: South Wales
    • Sector: Thames Valley
    • Sector: Tyne and Wear
    • Sector: UAE
    • Sector: West of Scotland
    • Sector: Yorkshire
  • Healthcare
  • Sector: Fire
  • Sector: Financial/general services
  • Sector: Energy
  • Education
  • Sector: Communications and media
  • Chemicals
  • Sector: Central government
  • Catering and leisure
  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Sector: Local government
  • Sector: IOSH Group
    • Sector: Financial Services
    • Sector: Sports Grounds and Events
    • Rural industries
    • Sector: railway
    • Public Services
    • Sector: Offshore
    • Sector: Hazardous Industries
    • Sector: Food and Drink
    • Sector: Fire Risk Management
    • Education
    • Construction
    • Sector: Aviation and Aerospace
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Categories
  • News
Regulation/enforcement
COVID-19

Government sets out workplace guidance for a COVID-secure 'unlockdown'

Open-access content Kellie Mundell — Tuesday 12th May 2020
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.
Workers in masks

iStock

[Revised 13 May]

Following criticism that it issued a return-to-work message without any accompanying safety advice, the government has now produced guidance for a range of industries, warning businesses that safety inspections will be ramped up.

On Sunday (10 May), prime minister Boris Johnson said that those who could not work from home should be 'actively encouraged to go to work' in England.

The PM singled out people in construction and manufacturing as those who could not work from home, who should return to building sites and factories.

The 'Covid-secure' guidance, published on Monday evening (11 May), comprises eight sets of guidelines for businesses which are either currently open or are anticipated to be opened this week – namely construction and outdoor work, factories, plants and warehouses, homes, labs and research facilities, offices and contact centres, restaurants offering takeaway or delivery, shops and branches and those working with vehicles.

 

KEY CHANGES

While difficult to prove the actual source for an infected person, it is reasonably foreseeable that employees could catch COVID-19 at work. Although not a specific legal requirement, the government has now stated that employers, as part of their general duty, ‘need to carry out an appropriate COVID-19 risk assessment, just as you would for any other health and safety hazards’ that employees or others are exposed to. Risk assessments will be more robust and subsequent control performance more effective if employees are consulted with as part of the process, it says.

Businesses with more than five employees should record the assessment and its outcomes, as per regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The government’s guidance contains an ‘expectation’ that employers with more than 50 people will publish their risk assessment on their websites, and smaller organisations should do this too if possible.

Businesses should consider redesigning workspaces to maintain social distancing, perhaps by staggered start times, one-way walkthroughs and more entrances and exits to avoid unnecessary contact.

Where the two-metre rule cannot be followed, the new guidance says employers ‘should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are at least facing away from each other’.

Firms are also being told to make sure workplaces are cleaned more frequently, with a particular focus on high-contact objects including door handles, keyboards and communal equipment controls in a bid to cut the risk of infection.

A downloadable notice has also been produced for businesses to display in order to inform people they have followed the guidance.

 

INSPECTION WARNING

In the government’s daily briefing on Sunday, Johnson said businesses reopening under current lockdown restrictions will be subject to inspections to check they are keeping workers safe.

‘Workplaces must be "Covid-secure" and employers will not be allowed to get away with forcing staff to work in unsafe conditions,’ he warned. Responses will be tested through the application of reasonable practicability.

In addition, the government has made available up to £14m for the HSE for extra call centre employees, inspectors and equipment during the easing of the lockdown.

Commenting on the guidance, the HSE’s chief executive, Sarah Albon said: ’The BEIS guidance issued sets out practical steps employers can take to enable staff to continue and return to work.

‘We have worked with [the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy] to ensure businesses have access to guidance on control measures to help them work safely. This will assist employers in carrying out risk assessments and putting practical measures in place.

‘At the heart of the return to work is controlling the risk posed by the virus. Ensuring safe working practices are in place will help deliver a safe return to work and support businesses across the country.’

IOSH has published risk assessment guidance to highlight the steps businesses need to take to ensure their premises are safe to open.

You may also be interested in...

Social distance

 UK regulator receives more than 4,500 COVID-19 complaints

Thursday 7th May 2020
UK's safety regulator has received thousands of complaints of businesses not complying with government guidelines.
Open-access content
Social distancing

 HSE issues social distancing warning to employers

Monday 20th April 2020
Regulator will hand out enforcement notices to those who do not comply with 2m rule.
Open-access content
International Workers’ Memorial Day

 #IWMD20 marked with a minute's silence

Tuesday 28th April 2020
In a year when it feels more important than ever, millions have commemorated those who have lost their lives at work, including the healthcare staff during the current crisis
Open-access content
Safety inspections to resume imminently

 Spot-checks to resume imminently, HSE confirms

Tuesday 26th May 2020
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced it is restarting 'proactive' inspections, as much of the country gets back to work after the lockdown was eased.
Open-access content
Return to school

 IOSH issues back to school advice

Monday 1st June 2020
IOSH has issued new practical guidance for schools.
Open-access content
Coronavirus

 IOSH urges 'risk intelligent' return to work

Tuesday 12th May 2020
Businesses preparing to reopen workplaces must be risk-controlled and put health and safety first – to avoid becoming 'places of transmission' of the coronavirus, IOSH has said.
Open-access content
Topics
News
Regulation/enforcement
COVID-19
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Health and Safety Improvement Manager

Leeds
£35000 - £50000 per annum
Reference
5452992

SHEQ Systems Advisor

Up to £40000.00 per annum + Car Allowance
Reference
5452988

Senior Health and Safety Manager

Reading
Up to £65000.00 per annum + Great Car Allowance & Benefits
Reference
5452983
See all jobs »

Sign up for regular e-alerts

Receive the latest news and features, free to your inbox

Sign up

Subscribe to IOSH magazine

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
IOSH Covers
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel +44 (0)20 7880 6200
​

IOSH

About IOSH
Become a member
IOSH Events
MyIOSH

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to IOSH magazine
Write for IOSH magazine

IOSH Magazine

Health
Safety
Management
Skills
IOSH Jobs

© 2023 IOSH • IOSH is not responsible for the content of external sites

ioshmagazine.com and IOSH Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ