Working safely: COVID-19 guidance for businesses

Although COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, businesses still have a legal duty to manage risks to those affected by their business, including that of COVID-19.

One of the best ways to do this is to include COVID-19 within your health and safety risk assessment identifying the potential risks to your employees and visitors to your site along with details of the steps you are taking to reduce the risk. 

The government has recently updated its guidance for employers into a single document and has withdrawn the varied ‘Working Safely’ documents that have been previously published.  

Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace - government guidance

To help employers protect people in the workplace the Health & Safety Executive has a range of useful guidance on its website.

COVID-19 - Advice for workplaces 

Good ventilation in the workplace can help reduce the spread of COVID-19

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has updated guidance to help councils and businesses identify poor ventilation in work areas and take practical steps to improve it as more people return to the workplace.

Alongside cleaning, hygiene and hand washing, good ventilation is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. As COVID-19 spreads through the air, the virus can build up in poorly ventilated areas, increasing the risk of infection. It is a legal requirement for employers to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace.

Ventilation in the workplace 

Page last reviewed: 06 April 2022