Making businesses Covid secure
COVID-19 ‘spot checks’ will begin next week (8 March) on businesses in Erewash to ensure they have the proper safety measures in place to help tackle the virus.
Erewash Borough Council is working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local public health authorities to track and understand any patterns in confirmed coronavirus cases in the area – with the main aim being to provide guidance to manage risk and to protect workers, customers and visitors.
However, businesses are warned that immediate action will be taken against those found not to be properly managing this. This can range from giving specific advice with follow-up visits, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, it could lead to prosecution.
Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:
“We will be working with our partners to visit and inspect sites around the borough to assess how they are managing risks. This means we will be continuing to talk to our business community and highlighting the legal duty it has to protect workers and others from harm. We will work with them and impress on them the importance of adapting procedures where necessary to ensure their safety and that of the wider community here in Erewash.”
Nationally, the HSE has found common issues during spot checks to be a failure by businesses to monitor, supervise and maintain social distancing and the lack of an adequate cleaning regime, particularly during busy times.
Councillor Carol Hart, the Leader of Erewash Borough Council, has given her support to the start of the spot checks next week:
“This is all about being supportive to businesses, their workforce and our residents – with the overall aim of ensuring the best safety measures are in place to benefit the health of everyone and, of course, support the local economy. We are well aware that the vast majority of businesses have been very responsible. Where failings are found during checks we will give advice, but I can assure everyone that action will be taken if necessary.”
Being COVID-secure means that businesses need to put adjustments in place to manage the risk and protect workers and others from coronavirus. For the latest information and safer business guidance, visit www.gov.uk
