The UK government, in consultation with industry, has produced ‘COVID-19 secure’guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.
The new guidance covers 8 workplace settings which are allowed to be open, from outdoor environments and construction sites to factories and takeaways. This sets out practical steps for businesses focused on 5 key points, which should be implemented as soon as it is practical:
1. Work from home, if you can
2. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
3. Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
4. Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
5. Reinforcing cleaning processes
HA Observation: When it talks about businesses that are allowed to be open, then lists shops in the guidance, it’s only referring to the “essential” retailers that are currently operating – not that all shops can open.
The 8 guides cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep employees safe.
• Construction and other outdoor work– Guidance for people who work in or run outdoor working environments.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/construction-and-other-outdoor-work
• Factories, plants and warehouses- Guidance for people who work in or run factories, plants and warehouses https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/factories-plants-and-warehouses
• Homes– Guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to home environments as well as their employers https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes
• Labs and research facilities– Guidance for people who work in or run indoor labs and research facilities and similar environments https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/labs-and-research-facilities
• Offices and contact centres– Guidance for people who work in or run offices, contact centres and similar indoor environments https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-contact-centres
• Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery– Guidance for people who work in or run restaurants offering takeaway or delivery services. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/restaurants-offering-takeaway-or-delivery
• Shops and branches– Guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/shops-and-branches
• Vehicles– Guidance for people who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry drivers, on-site transit and work vehicles, field forces and similar. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/vehicles
The BID Team are now working through the information so we’re clear on what the guidelines mean for the wide range of businesses we support, and to understand how we can best support you as we move towards the next phase. We’re creating new pages on our website, and will be sharing all of the details with you later this week.
Even though Clair and I are working from home, you can still contact us by email: info@brbid.org, by phone: 07917 692690 or through Zoom meeting software. The software is free to download and works across a wide range of platforms – phones, tablets, PC’s, Macs. If you’d like a virtual face to face, please invite: heather@brbid.org
Kindest regards, Heather
Heather Allen, BR BID Co-Ordinator
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