CORONAVIRUS - ENFORCEMENT - 11.06.2020

HSE back on inspection duty

The HSE has announced that it’s restarting proactive enforcement inspections. Who can expect a visit and what will inspectors be looking for?

Suspended. The HSE stopped completing routine inspections of workplaces when the coronavirus lockdown started at the end of March. Since then, inspectors have been remotely dealing with ongoing cases and complaints about issues relating to coronavirus raised by staff and members of the public.

In numbers. Between 9 March and 7 May, the HSE received 4,813 such reports, almost 17% of which related to the construction industry. In addition, there have been 198 reports of a dangerous occurrence and 71 coronavirus-related fatalities reported to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 ( RIDDOR ).

Manage the risks. As yet, the HSE has not taken formal action against any organisation for failing to protect staff and others from coronavirus. However, now that its inspectors are back on the beat, this situation is likely to change. Inspectors have spoken to many firms and urged them to make improvements.

What will prompt an inspection? As the HSE does not have vast numbers of inspectors it will be using its resources to target those deemed the greatest risk. For example, the construction sector is likely to receive a significant number of visits. Also, where a problem has been flagged that business is far more likely to see an inspector.

Warning. One of our subscribers has already had to deal with an inspector, prompted by an anonymous report thought to be from a member of staff.

Tip. Make sure your staff know to report issues to you before anyone else. Continue to follow government coronavirus guidance and show that your efforts are visible to all (see The next step ).

For a link to the government’s coronavirus guidance for workplaces, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 18.20.01).

Inspectors are checking that appropriate coronavirus control measures are in place. The construction sector and anyone reported to the HSE for failing to manage coronavirus risks are prime targets for a visit.

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