Managing risk during COVID-19

With the challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak, staying on top of your workplace health and safety responsibilities is more important than ever. To help keep your staff safe and healthy, here are some simple steps you can take to help mitigate risk to your business and your employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

1. Confidentially identify vulnerable staff members

The first step is to identify if any of your staff meet the ‘vulnerable group’ criteria. These people are:

• People over the age of 60;
• People with autoimmune diseases;
• People with a pre-existing chronic disease.

2. Have staff confidentially share their status

Ask your employees to declare if they are at risk or if they fit any of the guidelines to self-isolate. For example, has a staff member come into contact with any person diagnosed with coronavirus? Or, are they suffering from symptoms which include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath?

3.Implement hygiene procedures

Implement hygiene procedures and ensure that all employees have access to facilities to wash their hands and/or are using preventative products such as hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes or disinfectant spray.

4. Minimise access and person-to-person contact

Consider opportunities to minimise person-to-person contact. For example, reschedule any non-essential meetings and gatherings where possible and limit the number of onsite visitors. Staggering the times that field staff visit the office can also help your staff comply with social distancing requirements.

5. Monitor the situation and direct employees accordingly

Monitor the situation and government advice. Make sure your staff are complying with the procedures you have put in place, and those of the worksites they are visiting. And, keep your procedures compliant with regulations by staying up to date with the changing circumstances.

6. Implement disciplinary action

For employees who do not take the above seriously or are breaching your policies, there should be direct consequences. Make sure your staff are aware that due to the significance of this situation, disciplinary action will be taken if your policies are violated.

Important resources

Keep up-to-date with the changing situation through reliable sources such as:

Business support available to you from the government.

• UK
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Ireland
• Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Government resources on Coronavirus

On this site you will find information and guidance on what to during the Coronavirus pandemic.

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Ireland

Health

On these sites you will find information about COVID-19 symptoms and how to access health resources.

• NHS
• Scotland - NHS Inform
• Wales - NHS Direct Wales
• Northern Ireland - nidirect
• Republic of Ireland

World Health Organisation

On this site, you will find:

• Situation reports;
• Advice on how to protect yourself;
• General worldwide information about COVID-19;
• Frequently asked questions and answers.

Visit the site here.

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