Is your organisation prepared for a health and safety spot check?
Following a recent commission from the UK Government, HSE has announced they will be carrying out spot checks and inspections on organisations to make sure their day-to-day working environment is COVID-secure.
The spot checks will be carried out on businesses across all industries. Employers will be notified of the inspection ahead of time via a call or email, after which an official inspector will visit the premises to speak to duty-holders and check that any measures in place are in line with the current guidance.
As such, safety and compliance managers must be able to provide clear evidence of regular risk assessments, as well as demonstrating every measure they have taken to minimise the risk of transmission and infection among their staff.
What will HSE look for in a spot check?
Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and therefore the risks associated with certain workplace scenarios will vary depending on the type of work taking place.
HSE has made it explicitly clear that its investigations will centre on whether organisations are adhering to established Government guidelines, whether that’s for a specific industry or a more general focus on the following criteria:
- Evidence of detailed risk assessments
- Sufficient hygiene and handwashing facilities provided
- Social distancing adhered to in the workplace
- Additional PPE provided where appropriate
- All staff fully understand the measures in place
If you have any doubts around any further measures required for a specific industry, make sure to visit the GOV.UK website for more information and guidance.
What action will be taken for those that fail to comply with a HSE spot check?
As part of their investigations, HSE will be providing organisations with detailed advice on how to manage the risks facing their specific business, as well as any further steps deemed necessary to protect workers, customers and visitors.
In the event that a business is failing to abide by Government guidelines and therefore putting their member of staff at risk, HSE reserves the right to issue enforcement notices, halt certain work activities until they are made safe or pursue prosecution where a business fails to comply.
Pinpointing potential risks
It’s essential that safety and compliance managers take time to conduct in-depth risk assessments that aim to uncover every situation that could jeopardise the health and safety of their staff.
This is where a cloud-based safety and compliance platform can really prove a valuable asset to departments, providing them with audit checklists and assessment templates that are quick to deploy and cover all bases. A first-class online system also helps cut out human error by saving and synchronising information in real-time, as well as enabling multiple team members to collaborate on the same document at the same time.
Add to that the ability to deliver key aspects of health and safety training from any location and it’s easy to see why so many organisations are turning to digital risk management solutions as they prepare for a potential HSE spot check.
Time to shore up your approach to safety and compliance?
Get in touch with one of our health and safety software experts today to book a free demo and find out how our solutions can help your organisation achieve greater agility and resilience. Or, if you’re looking for more expert insights then make sure to download our new Achieving Agility Guide.
