Businesses must have risk assessments which include covid controls bespoke to the premises and consider all their work activities.
Employers have legal duties to take all reasonable measures to safeguard employees and any visitors/customers.
Businesses should base their risk assessments on asymptomatic cases, therefore people should remain apart to prevent being contacts of people at work or use PPE/screens where distance isn’t possible to prevent transmission of the virus. From 13 December. where possible, people should work from home.
It is up to a business to put these measures into their risk assessments and consult with unions where appropriate to make these practices part of business as usual.
Businesses should also assess the structure of the building and ensure good ventilation
- Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) - GOV.UK website
Environmental Health Officers still have legislative powers to deal with outbreaks or premises that pose a significant risk to people.
Environmental Health will continue to work with colleagues in Public Health to deal with outbreaks in premises, identify contacts, and business advice on preventing the spread of the virus within a workplace
Guidance
Please review this important guidance:
- Working safely during COVID-19 in shops and branches - PDF download
- Find out how to make your workplace COVID secure - GOV.UK website
- How to carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment - HSE website
- Cleaning your workplace safely - GOV.UK website
- HSE resources and latest information - HSE website
Keep indoor places well ventilated
Evidence suggests that the virus is less likely to be passed on in well-ventilated buildings and outdoors.
Try to leave windows and doors open in areas where people from different households come into contact or move activity outdoors if you can.
Use external extractor fans to keep spaces well ventilated and make sure that ventilation systems are set to maximise the airflow rate.
Heating and cooling systems can be used at their normal temperature settings.
Workplace testing
Oldham Council may be able to help your business by providing you with either a regular supply of home testing kits, or free onsite rapid testing through our outreach testing team.
Report an outbreak (organisations/settings in Oldham)
If you would like further details email:
NHS Test and Trace
Designated venues in certain sectors must have a system in place to request and record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff to help break the chains of transmission of coronavirus.
This includes a legal requirement to display an official NHS Test and Trace QR code poster.