With more businesses preparing to return to work, or ramp-up their current operations, we have collated information and advice to support our members to enable them to do this safely and effectively. Working within the constraints of Government guidance will be key. We must remember that the end of lockdown does not mean the end of the COVID-19 crisis and that until there is an effective vaccine, it is likely that some measures to prevent further spread will be in place.

Maintaining safe operations through COVID and restart good practice guide

The information on this web page and in the good practice document has been compiled from government guidance. It is not intended to be used as a definitive guide as the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation changes daily and Government policy changes in response, but reflects good practice at the time of publication. 

Download and display this notice in your workplace to show you have followed this guidance

Each employer is singly responsible for remaining fully informed about current best practice and always exercising judgment in its workers’ interests and welfare before adopting guidance in its own business. You should ensure that you keep everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure in your workplace. It is advisable to document the date of any such actions and the Government guidance it relates to. In this way you will protect the business against legal scrutiny once the pandemic is over.

5 key steps to working safely:

• Carry out a Risk assessment 
• Develop cleaning, handwashing and hygeine procedures
• Help people to work from home. Use this risk assessment to check if they can return to work safely
• Maintain 2m social distancing, where possible
• Where people cannot be 2m apart, manage transmission risk

Operating safely through COVID-19

Where businesses remain open, employers should take every possible step to facilitate their employees working from home. Use this risk assessment to check if an employee cna return to work safely. The COVID-19 Onsite checklist for safe working will aid in this process

Government guidance: Working safely - Factories, plants and warehouses

Government guidance: Working safely - Offices

Reopening your business

If you’re considering reopening your business after a period of closure, we suggest that you work through some key points to ensure safe operations. The COVID-19 Building reoccupation checklist will help in this activity.
There are a range of issues and tasks you will need to consider as part of the process of opening up your business. Every step should be carefully considered and fully documented. A Risk assessment should be completed.

• Plan how you are intending to operate in the short, medium and longer term
• What are the key operations needed in the initial opening and then operating phase?
• As part of these plans you should consider a phased return.

The Government online tool will also be useful: Reopen your business safely during COVID-19

Useful downloads:

• Letter to continue to travel to work - template
• Return to work after furlough letter
• Talking with your workers about preventing coronavirus
• COVID-19-Return-to-Work-Form
• Draft Code of Conduct to reduce the spread of COVID-19
• COVID-19-Testing-FAQ
• COVID-19-Testing-Record
• COVID-19-Health-Safety-FAQ
• COVID-19-Toolbox-Talk
• A-guide-to-PPE-during-COVID-19
• HSE webinar: Working safely through COVID-19

For further guidance:

• Health and Safety Executive coronavirus guidance
• HSE Guidance: working safely thorugh the coronoavirus outbreak
• HSE guidance: talking with your workers about preventing coronavirus
• HSE guidance: Social distancing, your business and in-work activities
• HSE guidance: Work equipment – examinations and testing
• HSE guidance: Protect home workers
• HSE guidance: RIDDOR reporting of the coronavirus
• HSE guidance: First Aid cover and qualifications
• St Johns Ambulance: Advice for first aiders
• Government social distancing advice for employers to follow in the workplace
• Further government guidance for employers, businesses and their staff on staying safe during the coronavirus including advice on shift patterning and staff canteens.
• COVID-19 Business Support Hub
• Government FAQs on the coronavirus
• Government information for NI businesses and employers
• Government information for Scottish businesses
• Government information for Welsh businesses
• Advice on staying secure during COVID-19