The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are continuing to carry out further spot inspections across businesses in Oldham and Pendle to ensure they are COVID secure. The increased inspections follow the recent rise in coronavirus cases in those areas which sparked local lockdown action to be taken.
HSE inspectors are visiting businesses across all sectors and providing employers and employees with advice and guidance so the risk from coronavirus can be properly managed. Where employers are found to be failing to manage these risks inspectors will take immediate action.
Site visits have taken place alongside alternative means of gathering information from phone calls, photos and video footage for evidence, in order to maintain social distancing and keep HSE inspectors and those at the workplaces being inspected, safe.
The common issues being found by HSE inspectors on these spot inspections include:
HSE Head of Operations, North West, Sally Nicholson, commented: ''While the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to grow in both Oldham and Pendle, we are urgently talking to local businesses to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity. Employers have a legal duty to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk of coronavirus.''
''While most businesses are following the guidelines, some are failing in their duty and neglecting to maintain things like social distancing measures and hand washing and hygiene procedures that are crucial in stopping the spread of the virus. Becoming COVID-secure is crucial for all businesses to tackle the rise in infection cases in the area and we will take action against workplaces that fail their duty.''
