Is it Safe to Return to the Workplace?

As Boris Johnson and his Cabinet have now set out their roadmap out of the national lockdown , how can businesses return staff to the workplace safely and with confidence? We talk to Stuart Beaumont from The Spectra Group to find out.

While workers have adapted well to working from home, there have been challenges for both employees and employers. Many businesses may already have taken the decision to remain without a dedicated office space and retain a remote working model. For the majority, the ability to meet with team members and work together in one place is still beneficial.

And employees may welcome a return to the workplace. “Despite many businesses seeing rises in productivity and assumed improvement in work/life balance during periods of home working, studies show that employees are, in some cases, overworking themselves,” Stuart confirms.

As humans we seek face-to-face interaction. Working, building, and maintaining relationships via screens is proving more difficult for some, and is taking its toll on some people’s mental wellbeing.

 

Whether you want to return staff to the workplace on a permanent, flexible or fully embrace hybrid-working, there are measures you should take to ensure the safety, and confidence, of your employees.

To safeguard against COVID in the workplace there are many areas you should consider and things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading germs.

 

Make your workplace safe

All employers have a ‘duty of care’ for their staff, customers and anyone else who comes into the workplace. It’s the responsibility of the employer to do everything they reasonably can to protect and support their health, safety and wellbeing.

Every workplace has differing responsibilities and requirements to ensure they work within the health and safety guidelines and some businesses may operate across several different types of workplace, for example a haulage company may have an office, a fleet and a customer service office.

When it comes to health and safety in the workplace, there’s no one-size-fits all approach. Every business is different and requires different solutions.

 

You can find guides for every type of workplace on the government website.

 

How to manage risks and assessments

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, stipulates that the minimum you must do is:

• Identify hazards – what could cause injury or illness in your business?

• Assess the risks – decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how seriously

• Take action to eliminate or control the hazard

You can get additional risk assessment guidance from the Health and Safety Executive.

In already testing times for business and industry in the UK, shouldering the health and safety responsibilities for everyone who comes into contact with your workplace may be a burden too far.

The Spectra Group have a breadth of knowledge and resources to help businesses return their staff to work. By helping businesses understand and implement measures they can take to limit exposure and ensure the workplace is as COVID secure as possible, managers and leaders can ensure employees feel confident and safe when returning to the workplace.

 

About The Spectra Group

Established in 2008 as The Safety Group with a focus on health & safety, founders Stuart and Lee rebranded as Spectra in 2013 in response to the growing needs of their customers. Expanding their expertise to fulfil human resource needs of their client base, Spectra now has an extensive suite of human resource and compliance services.

Having supported hundreds of organisations with health and safety and human resources matters, they offer individual solutions to each and every client.

Along with useful resources for the current coronavirus pandemic Spectra also have expertise in mental health, first aid, eLearning and insurance.

The Spectra Group offer a free review of your health and safety requirements. For a complete no-obligation review get in touch. https://thespectragroup.co.uk/ 

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