Business support and advice

You should review your Fire Risk Assessment to ensure that it takes into account any changes to your business operations due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The London Fire Brigade has produced a checklist, and the HSE has produced guidance for First Aid in the pandemic.

There is lots of free support available to individuals for their mental wellbeing, as well as for employers to signpost and assist their workforce.

Organisations should consider all staff working on their premises, not just employees, but contractors and agency staff, too.

More information is available from Business Healthy and our mental health support page.

In addition, you may want to consider undertaking a stress risk assessment, and looking at working hours and work-life balance.

Health and safety requirements covering both physical and mental/psychological health and safety and prevention through proper risk management are always better than cure.

For example, employers may need to consider lone working, stress (see above) and DSE (if someone is using DSE for a substantial part of their work).

Clear, regular, and transparent communication and engagement with the workforce helps to underpin this.

When considering hot-desking and the associated risks, cleaning and disinfection should also be
considered in terms of reducing the risk of transmission between individuals.

The Government has published specific guidance for employers to support workers who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) to Covid-19. CEV individuals – and others with clinical vulnerabilities – will have their own requirements and it is recommended that they are engaged with on a case-by-case basis.

They may also benefit from consulting their GP or specialist for support and guidance on any further measures they can take to further reduce their risk of infection.