HSE statement on regulating occupational health and safety during Covid
Further to recent messages from WCS Group, we would like to pass on a summary of current advice directly from the latest HSE bulletin (dated 2nd April 2020).
The HSE have confirmed that legal requirements remain with the Duty Holders.
The HSE have written, “Despite the demanding circumstances, compliance with occupational health and safety legal requirements remains with duty holders and HSE will continue its regulatory oversight of how duty holders are meeting their responsibilities in the context of the current public health risk and based on our available regulatory capacity.”
The HSE have also confirmed Government advice on working during the current pandemic:
“Keep your business open. With the exception of some non-essential shops and public venues, we are not asking any other businesses to close – indeed it is important for business to carry on.”
“Employers should take every possible step to facilitate their employees working from home. Where it is not be possible to work from home you can still travel for work purposes, provided you are not showing coronavirus symptoms and neither you nor any of your household are self-isolating.”
WCS Group fully understand that many businesses have been receiving conflicting advice during this time. We believe this statement from the HSE delivers clarity. Our advice continues to be: -
- If nothing has changed to your circumstances or systems, carry on your Legionella control measures as before.
- If the building(s) are now less occupied or empty, we strongly recommend flushing of all outlets to mimic normal system use or mothballing in line with SFG30
- Before systems are brought back to full usage, re-commission in line with SFG30
WCS Group are positioned to help all clients, existing and new, in their ongoing monitoring, mothballing or re-instatement of building water systems in a safe and controlled manner.
For further guidance on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager or Info@wcs-group.co.uk.
Written by Jon Greaves
Jon has progressively worked through operational roles, account management, technical management, and senior management roles over the last 16 years within one of the group companies before moving into the role of Water and Air Managing Director. Jon has experience across multiple sectors of water and air compliance, including district energy networks; data centres; healthcare; food and beverage and facilities management. Jon acted as a corresponding steering committee member on CIBSE CP1 – Heat Networks Code of Practice for the UK released in 2020.