Supporting your business to return to work
From 15 June 2020, non-essential retail will be allowed to return to work.
You must not reopen if your business is closed under current government rules. Check if your business or venue can open.
However, all businesses that can open should follow the 5 steps to working safely. These are listed below, see more detail on them here.
1. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment
2. Develop cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures
3. Help people to work from home
4. Maintain 2m social distancing, where possible
5. Where people cannot be 2m apart, manage transmission risk
We covered these topics with Barnsley Council Regulatory Services live on our Facebook channel on Wednesday 3 June. Take a look here.
DOWNLOAD OUR RETURN TO WORK POSTERS
We want to support your return to work. Why not download and use our #KeepingBarnsleyMoving Posters to use in your workplace to remind workers and customers of any changes and how to shop safely.
The message remains:
- If your business can work at home, please do so.
- Consider active travel rather than public transport where possible.
It is a legal requirement that all businesses undertake a specific risk assessment for compliance with COVID19 and that where there are 5 or more employees this is documented in writing.
It is also important that wherever possible Businesses aim for social distancing separation of at least 2m wherever possible.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) equipment may be considered, but, this should be a last resort where no other control measure is possible and the task in question is essential
Supporting your staff
Download this employer return to work document for helpful hints, tips and links to further support for business owners and managers to secure the wellbeing of your staff and increase productivity as you manage the return to work of home and furloughed workers.
Legionella
During the lockdown period many buildings such as shops, offices, schools, museums and sport centres have been left vacant or partially unused.
Where water is left standing in water pipes, shower heads and water storage tanks when the temperature may have risen above 20°C in the hot weather or in hot water systems, there is an increased risk of Legionella bacteria growing to harmful levels in the water system.
Extra precautions must be taken to prevent exposure to Legionella bacteria when buildings and their water systems are brought back into use.
Key lockdown risk factors and control measures can be found in CIEH guidance Legionnaires’ disease: lockdown risks and reopening safely and the HSE guidance pages Legionella risks during coronavirus outbreak
See the below guidance for some key sectors:
- Construction and other outdoor work
Guidance for people who work in or run outdoor working environments. - Factories, plants and warehouses
Guidance for people who work in or run factories, plants and warehouses. - Labs and research facilities
Guidance for people who work in or run indoor labs and research facilities and similar environments. - Offices and contact centres
Guidance for people who work in or run offices, contact centres and similar indoor environments. - Other people’s homes
Guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people’s homes. - Restaurants offering takeaway or delivery
Guidance for people who work in or run restaurants offering takeaway or delivery services. - Shops and branches
Guidance for people who work in or run shops, branches, stores or similar environments. - Vehicles
Guidance for people who work in or from vehicles, including couriers, mobile workers, lorry drivers, on-site transit and work vehicles, field forces and similar.
Travel
For the latest information regarding public transport, please visit: https://www.sypte.co.uk/
Please consider alternative methods of transport when returning to work. Preferably, consider active travel
Getting tested – Information for how companies can register with the site to arrange testing for symptomatic employees. Register on the portal here.