News Feed

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 10 May 2020 which has prompted a change of emphasis in encouraging businesses to return to work where safe to do so, further detailed and sector-by-sector guidance was published late on 11 May 2020. 

The new “COVID-19 Secure” guidance is designed to help employers either re-open their workplaces where this is permitted, be ready to do so in the near future (depending on which sector they are in) or ensure that they can continue to operate in a safe and compliant manner. 

All businesses must complete a COVID-19 Secure Risk Assessment and those employers with more than five employees are required to produce theirs in the format of a written Risk Assessment.

We have prepared FREE template Risk Assessments to help our clients. These are specific to the different work sectors covered by the guidance:

• Offices and contact centres
• Construction and other outdoor work
• Factories, plants and warehouses
• Homes
• Labs and research facilities
• Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
• Shops and branches
• Vehicles

Once you have completed the Risk Assessment, you will need to set up the safe system and make sure it is followed. You should also display a “Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020” notice in your workplace to show you have followed the guidance.

If you would like advice about any issues regarding the Risk Assessment or need more bespoke documentation, our Employment and Commercial Teams are able to assist you – and can provide a no-obligation quote for such work if required.

According to the non-statutory guidance, you should share the Risk Assessment with your workforce and must consult with your workforce in the appropriate manner. You should consider publishing the Risk Assessment on your website and all businesses with over 50 employees are expected to do so. The guidelines will be enforced through spot inspections.

Please contact us via email to spoulter@leathesprior.co.uk or call on 01603 610911 if you would like a free template Risk Assessment that covers one or a combination of the above work sectors.

We are here to provide practical and pragmatic advice on this process and may also be able to put clients in touch with a relevant supplier if you are struggling to get hold of the products or services that you require in order to become COVID-19 Secure. For further insights and articles about COVID-19 see our Coronavirus Hub on our website.