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Covid-19 Risk Assessment

 

COVID Secure Workplace risk assessment

Assessment date: 30/07/2021

Review date: Where a significant change has occurred in the workplace or to any official advice.

Version: 2

Introduction

Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called Coronavirus. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, severe or fatal. This Risk Assessment is designed specifically for dealing with the current Covid-19 situation in the workplace.

Everyone needs to assess and manage the risks of COVID-19. As an employer, you also have a legal responsibility to protect workers and others from risk to their health and safety. This means you need to think about the risks they face and do everything reasonably practicable to minimise them, recognising you cannot completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19.

You must make sure that the risk assessment for your business addresses the risks of COVID-19 – A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about identifying sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace.

Employers have a duty to consult their staff on health and safety. Employers can do this by listening and talking to them about the work and how you will manage risks from COVID-19. The staff who do the work are often the best people to understand the risks in the workplace and will have a view on how to work safely. Involving them in making decisions shows that you take their health and safety seriously. You must also consult with the health and safety representative selected by a recognised trade union or, if there isn’t one, a representative chosen by workers.

Management

Employers have a duty to reduce workplace risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures. Employers must work with any other employers or contractors sharing the workplace so that everybody’s health and safety is protected.

In addition to the findings and actions of this risk assessment, management will ensure the following:

  • All staff will be made aware of the reporting requirements and all confirmed cases and suspected cases of Coronavirus will be escalated to a competent person.
  • Memos / communications will be sent out as required and any updates communicated in a timely manner to the workforce. This communication will include any updates to advise staff of any changes to the Government and NHS advice on the control, prevention and management of Coronavirus.
  • Staff who have isolated either when coming into contact with a positive person or if you test positive yourself, cannot return to work until the appropriate documentation has been completed and a manager has signed off the staff members return to work interview to demonstrate they are now fit to return to work. Please use the following link as regards isolation periods………..

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

  • Assessments to be reviewed where a significant change has occurred in the workplace or to any official advice.
  • All staff and management will be encouraged to be open and collaborative in their approach between teams on site where any issues or concerns can be openly discussed and addressed.

Sharing your workplace risk assessment

Employers should share the results of this risk assessment with their employees. If possible the Government has also recommended that employers consider publishing it on their website.

The Government have also asked employers to display a copy of the following notice within the workplace:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb963fcd3bf7f5d39550303/staying-covid-19-secure.pdf