News - July 2020 - Legal Update

Public Transport Cover Up. Face coverings are now mandatory for users of public transport in England and Scotland. https://www.shponline.co.uk/transport-safety/face-coverings-to-become-mandatory-on-public-transport/

BEIS Guidance for Employers. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has issued guidance to help employers reduce the risk of co-workers having to self-isolate if a member of staff tests positive for COVID-19. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-workplace-guidance

Social Distancing Relaxed. The two metre distancing rule will be reduced to ‘one metre plus’ in England from 4 July 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52522460

Warning Over Substandard Facemasks. The HSE has issued a safety alert, warning against the use of Chinese standard KN95 facemasks which are considered to be the equivalent of a CE marked FFP2. https://press.hse.gov.uk/2020/06/11/hse-safety-alert-issued-against-kn95-facemask/

Air Conditioning Advice. The HSE has warned that certain air conditioning systems may need adjustment to avoid adding to the risk of spreading Coronavirus. https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation.htm

Coronavirus First Aid Advice. The HSE has issued new advice on first aid during the coronavirus outbreak. https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/first-aid-and-medicals/first-aid-certificate-coronavirus.htm
St John Ambulance has reminded managers to organise any outstanding first aid training as the country returns to work. https://www.shponline.co.uk/news/skills-of-60000-first-aiders-out-of-date-warns-st-john-ambulance/

Don’t Compromise Safety. The HSE and Fire Chiefs Council have each warned businesses not to compromise the safety of their staff and customers while they control the risk of Coronavirus. https://www.cieh.org/health-and-safety/2020/may/covid-19-risks-need-balancing-against-other-hs-concerns/ https://www.twinfm.com/article/fire-safety-and-coronavirus-a-change-in-risk-for-employers

Match Fit for Work? Bosses are being urged to consider that manual workers may not be as fit as they were after a prolonged absence from work. https://www.shponline.co.uk/common-workplace-hazards/return-to-work-after-covid-19-safety-managers-urged-to-act-now-to-prevent-injuries/

BOHS Clears Up Facemask Confusion. The British Occupational Hygiene Society has published a paper which aims to assist employers in making confident decisions for their workforce with regards to face coverings. https://www.tomorrowshs.com/health-and-safety-news/bohs-face-coverings-in-the-workplace

Workers Voice PPE Fears. A recent survey reveals 40% of workers would refuse to return to work without the correct PPE. https://www.tomorrowshs.com/health-and-safety-news/workers-believe-employers-responsible-for-ppe-provision and https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2020/06/15/4-10-would-refuse-work-without-ppe-survey-finds

Social Distance Trackers in The Workplace. Vibrating tags which are triggered by breaches in social distancing have been launched in UK workplaces. https://www.tomorrowsfm.com/products-and-services/safelinq-leads-the-way-back-to-work-for-uk-offices

Thermal Cameras Could Reduce Hot Works Fires. Insurance firm Zurich has called for the use of thermal imaging cameras to help prevent millions of pounds worth of damage when carrying out hot works. https://www.ifsecglobal.com/fire-news/hot-works-and-safety-failures-blamed-for-separate-fire-incidents-in-derbyshire/