Published: April 7th, 2022
New guidelines to help employers and workplaces manage their Covid risk have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency.
The new guidance sets out actions that businesses should follow to help reduce the spread of infections, including ensuring adequate ventilation and encouraging vaccinations.
The guidelines – which cover all respiratory infections – cover topics such as knowing what symptoms to look for, what to do if a member of staff has symptoms, actions to reduce the spread of infections and how to manage vulnerable staff.
A spokesman said: “As we learn to live safely with coronavirus there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching Covid-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help to reduce the spread of other respiratory infections, such as flu, which can spread easily and may cause serious illness in some people.
“While there is no longer a requirement for all employers to explicitly consider Covid-19 in their statutory health and safety risk assessments, it is important that as a business, organisation or an employer you continue to comply with your legal obligations relating to health and safety, employment and equality duties.”
The guidance lists some of the common symptoms of Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses and details some of the actions employers can take to reduce the risk of an outbreak spreading.
These include encouraging vaccination, ventilating workplaces sufficiently and ensuring offices and factories are clean and there is adequate provision of cleaning and sanitation products.
For more details about the new guidelines visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reducing-the-spread-of-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19-in-the-workplace
Or email us direct
