6th April 2020

HSE’s enforcement of coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance

HSE has stated that where they identify employers who are not taking action to comply with the relevant Public Health England (PHE) guidance to control public health risks, eg employers not taking appropriate action to socially distance or ensure workers in the shielded category can follow the NHS advice to self-isolate for the period specified, they will consider taking a range of actions to improve control of workplace risks. These actions include the provision of specific advice to employers through to issuing enforcement notices to help secure improvements with the PHE guidance.

The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and Public Health England  are leading the UK government response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

For more guidance see https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

 

 

16th April 2020

RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19

HSE state that reports of COVID-19 should only be made under RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) when:

an unintended incident at work has led to someone’s possible or actual exposure to coronavirus. This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence. a worker has been diagnosed as having COVID 19 and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work. This must be reported as a case of disease. a worker dies as a result of occupational exposure to coronavirus.
20th April 2020

HSE reminds on the importance of face fitting RPE

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is advising healthcare workers currently using respiratory protective equipment (RPE) on the importance of ensuring it is fitted correctly. A respirator that is incorrectly fitted will not protect the wearer.

Tight-fitting respirators rely on having a good seal with the wearer’s face. It is vital that before using a respirator for the first time, or before using a different brand of respirator, wearers pass a fit test for the model and size of respirator they are going to use. This is to make sure the equipment fits to their particular facial characteristics.

HSE advises on the importance of fitting RPE correctly

23rd April 2020

EA publish four temporary COVID-19 regulatory position statements

The Environment Agency has published four temporary COVID-19 regulatory position statements (COVID-19 RPSs). These cover: • Monitoring and reporting • Regulated industry installations (non-waste) • Waste management (excluding radioactive waste) • Water industry The Agency states that “each COVID-19 RPS sets out when they apply and the conditions you must comply with”. The obligation to comply with all other environmental regulatory requirements remains. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-regulatory-position-statements