London, UK: Employers have a duty of care to their staff that is especially important as government’s plans to further ease lockdown restrictions from 4 July, warns the British Safety Council.
“One metre-plus is ok, but two metres is better,” says the British Safety Council’s chief executive, Michael Robinson.
The government has published new guidance on how businesses can reduce the risk by taking certain steps to protect workers and customers. These include avoiding face-to-face seating, reducing the number of people inside, improving ventilation, changing shift patterns and increasing face coverings, including mandatory face coverings on public transport.
A key change is a revision of guidance on social distancing from two metres to “one metre plus”. But where it is possible to keep two metres apart people should, Robinson said.
“Covid-19 has obviously not gone away, it remains a risk and it is right that employers, who have a duty of care to their staff, do everything they can to protect them as they get ready to re-open in July
The scientific advice coming from the Health and Safety Executive has not changed – the risk of transmission is significantly higher the closer people are to one another and it is still recommended that people keep two metres apart where they can,” he said.
Where social distancing is not always possible, such as on public transport, then face coverings can mitigate risk.
