COVID-19 Enforcement Visits – Are You Ready?

Steve JohnsDDS International

As we all try to reopen as part of COVID-19 relaxation measures, I am sure that you will have seen reported “Spikes” in Leicester and Blackburn on the news and local or government action taken to impose stricter controls – which in Leicester’s case was returning to full lockdown.

Last week, we saw for the first time the HSE advise that they would be completing “Spot Inspections” initially in Bradford as follows:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is out conducting spot inspections on businesses in Bradford checking they are working right and are COVID-secure. HSE is checking that businesses are aware of the Safer Workplace guidance and advising where necessary on improvements needed to ensure the workplace is COVID-secure.

HSE works with other public local and national government authorities to support the understanding of any patterns they are finding in workplaces in Bradford and other areas. Inspectors are out and about visiting businesses across the city and surrounding areas, putting employers on the spot and checking that they are complying with the latest guidance.

Whilst we have yet to see or have reported any other local authority or enforcing agency visits, it is important to make sure that you are aware that targeted local authority visits could happen at any time and not just in Bradford.

Therefore, it is important that your COVID-19 Controls are in place.

We have the following available for you on PYRAMID:

Health & Safety Menu COVID-19 Options

  • COVID-19 Button; containing COVID-19 procedures, signage etc
  • Health & Safety Risk Assessments; containing template 11.7.1 – 11.7.4 COVID-19 Risk Assessments

eLearning Zone COVID-19 Training Modules

  1. Introducing your COVID-19 Management System,
  2. COVID-19 Re Opening Module,
  3. Protect yourself from Coronavirus.

We have also now created a brand new “COVID-19 Audit” Template, so that you can now review your own COVID-19 Compliance and check to see if you have any gaps!

This is under the health & safety menu; Audit option

COVID-19 Audit

In addition, we will be completing the COVID19 Audit as part of any scheduled health and safety audits / food audits moving forward when we first revisit your premises post lockdown reopening.

We have also introduced a new “COVID19” Certificate for premises visited that achieve a “Gold Award” in the above audit – so this can be displayed providing further customer confidence for your operation.

If you would like any further information about our Coronavirus Health and Safety Support, or have queries specifically for your business then please do not hesitate to contact us, we’d love to hear from you.